News/ Studies

• Current Medical Research (USCCB medical review, Fall 2011)
• See especially:
• Past Use of Oral Contraceptives Associated with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
• Most European Women Want to Be Informed of Post-Fertilization Effects of Contraceptive Methods
• Common Form of Hormonal Contraception Increases Cardiovascular Risk
• Birth Control Pills May Keep Nuns Healthy (FoxNews)–more coming on this
• Wisconsin Catholic Hospitals Reimbursed Under Family Planning Waiver (read: Catholic Hospitals violate Catholic Health Directives)
• Involving Men in Family Planning (Inquirer.net)–This article refers largely to contraceptive services, but I think there are points and lessons here on getting men to promote NFP.

Editorial & Commentary

• The Church of Kathleen Sebelius (Wall Street Journal)
• How Evil is Your Birth Control Manufacturer? (Jezebel)
• Yaz, Yasmin & Ortho Evra Patch increase risk of blood clots (Society of Menstrual Cycle Research blog)
• Leadership in Pharmaceutical Companies: Where are the Women? (RH Reality Check)
• Plan ‘Oh No They Didn’t': Roundup of Response to Plan B decision (Ms. blog)
• New Birth Control Decisions Don’t Mean Birth Control is Killing You (Jezebel) [It's not killing you yet]

Reflections

• Raising Human Beings & Life Lessons from the Duggars (Millions of Miles Blog)
• Natural Family Planning–Does it work for everyone?  Check out her earnest, albeit flawed reasoning (WhatToExpect.com)

[Update: Two additions below.]

News

• Fordham Law Students’ Birth Control Clinic 
• Fordham Students Hold Birth Control Clinic (Catholic Culture)
• Students Protest Anti-Birth Control Policy (Jezebel–elch, but a decent news treatment)
• Fordham Law Students Accuse School of Misleading Birth Control Policy (Fox News)
• Google News Search on Fordham Law Student Story
• Prostate Cancer May Be Linked to Birth Control Pills in Water Supply
• Video (FoxNews)
• British Medical Journal Abstract
• Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Change
• Daughter to Receive Transplant of Mother’s Womb (BioEdge)
• Meteorologist Speaks Out Against Dangers of Birth Control & DVT
• Meteorologist Jennifer Reeves

Commentary/ Editorial

• Bayer Corporation are Bastards–an update on the latest Yaz drama, with good research by Marc at Patheos
• Fordham Law Students’ Health Clinic a Success, But University Still Refuses to Divulge Health Care Policies (RH Reality Check)
• Motherhood at a Price–the cost of IVF for the health of women & children (ZENIT)
• The Strange World of Assisted Reproductive Technology–Moral Theologian Pia de Solenni summarizes the quandary of ART

Of Interest

• HOMO FABER AND/OR HOMO ADORANS: ON THE PLACE OF HUMAN MAKING IN A SACRAMENTAL COSMOS–by Michael Hanby (Communio)
• This is My Body–a reflection on motherhood (Catholicmom.com)
• Being Pregnant with Grace (Art of NFP Blog)
• Be Prepared–an engaged cafeteria Catholic discovers NFP (stop by to comment!)
• My Wife, My Best Friend (fellas–for you)
• Why You Should Listen to the Church’s Teaching on Contraception (Marc at Patheos)

(….I’ve got a bad case of not finding an NFP-friendly or good fertility specialist. That’s what Robert Palmer would sing if he loved NFP.)

One of the most common issues NFP users face is finding a doctor who “gets it”.  In fact most women don’t even expect that. When it comes down to it we really just desire a doctor who will respect our decision to use NFP when postponing a pregnancy rather than whatever pill, patch, or barrier samples were left behind by the last pharmaceutical rep to enter the building. This is no tall order. This should be easy but often is not.

If you are struggling to find an NFP friendly doctor don’t lose hope! Try the following and with any luck you will find some great options in your area! Generally speaking as you are going down the list, the fewer steps it takes you to find a doctor, the more likely they will be not only NFP friendly, but possibly even trained in a specialty such as NaProTechnology.

1. Creighton Fertility Care: Check out the FertilityCare web site and use the left hand index to “Find a Medical Consultant” (If looking specifically for a NaPro Doctor please e-mail fcco[at]popepaulvi.com for the most up-to-date information on your area.)
2. One More Soul’s NFP Directory: Run a search for your area(Helpful, but not always 100% up to date. No luck? See #3)
3. Network:
• Contact the closest NFP Diocesan Coordinator to your area.
• Seek out and call your local NFP instructors! More than likely they go to the doctor from time to time so see who they use!
• Consider calling a few of the local Midwives or La Leche League if you have any in your area.  Though not all are supportive of NFP, many are, and might know of a doctor in your area who is as well!
4. Social Network: You never know who people know, so post to the Living the Sacrament Forum, the Facebook NFP Group (CLOSED group is probably your best option), or your NFP tweeps.

Okay, with the drospirenone study & the FDA finally raising a flag for a chance (see first article in the list), the world population hitting 7 Billion Monday, as well as me finally checking my old bookmarks and Google Alerts–there’s a lot here to read. Pick a few to start with. And by all means, comment away (especially on the secular web sites!).

News

• Study Links New Birth Control Pill to Blood Clots & Strokes (NPR Health Blog)
• Welcome Baby Seven Billion--an initiative of the World Youth Alliance
• Ovarian Tumors May Develop Years After IVF Treatment (USA Today Health)

News Commentary

• The Grass is Just as Complicated on the Other Side by Simcha Fisher–commentary on NFP struggles
• World Contraception Day: Empowering Whom? [I think it's 'who', but whatever] by Arland Nichols at the Ruth Institute Blog
• The Catholic Church’s Best Kept Secret–One Husband’s Thoughts
• Why the Pill is a Problem by Kristan Doerfle
• No Exceptions with Contraception–Thank God! by Jennifer Fulwiler, wonderful reflection on the no exceptions for contraception teaching by the Catholic Church, and encouragement by someone who’s lived this difficult teaching in a health-crisis

Misc.

• 10 Ways to Tell if a Product Is (or isn’t) Really Natural (er…HuffPo)
• Who You Callin’ a Slut? Commentary on the ‘Slut Walks’ at About-Face, a feminist non-profit promoting positive body image

TIME after TIME…partial information

[That's right. The title & header are both references to the Cyndi Lauper song & TIME magazine's penchant for publishing half-done back pats.]

Earlier this week TIME’s Health blog published an article singing the praises of Cycle beads and the Standard Days Method (SDM). I love to see mainstream media promoting something other than contraception. However, in terms of modern Natural Family Planning, they are missing the proverbial boat.

SDM promotes the belief that if a woman has a consistent history of cycles lasting between 24 to 32 days in length it is effective for her to postpone pregnancy simply by abstaining from intercourse or using some form of artificial birth control between cycle days 9-18.  For fertility tracking they promote the use of Cycle Beads, a string of beads colored to indicate if the women should be having her period, is likely infertile or is fertile depending on what day of the cycle she is on. This, however, does not take into account any unexpected cycle variations that often occur in even the most regularly cycling woman due to outside factors such as stress, illness, or medication. 

Rhythm Method dumbed down?

Unlike other modern NFP methods, SDM does not include any daily observation of fertility signs at all by the user. This leaves many asking if SDM is anything more than the notoriously unreliable rhythm method dumbed down even further.  Well, despite this lack of personalization, early research appears to shows promise in regards to effectiveness, but is this really the best we have?  Should Cycle Beads be supported by NFP promoters or more broadly the Pro-Life Community?

NFP is not the $%@! Rhythm Method

As an NFP promoter myself, one of the biggest method based concerns I have is in regards to the online screening provided by Cycle Beads.  According to their evaluation I would be eligible for Cycle Beads on the first day of my next period directly after discontinuing the pill, implant, or 1-month injectible in my current cycle or having had a miscarriage, abortion, or used emergency contraception (so long as my cycle length was within range prior to these events).  To assume that a women will go back to cycling regularly directly after these events is gravely misinformed, and raises serious questions in regards to the promotional information being presented by Cycle Beads pertaining to their effectiveness rates and appropriate use. 

Similar guidelines are presented for breastfeeding and newly postpartum moms. No caution is given to the variation in cycle length that nursing mothers frequently see even after a return to regular fertility when increased nursing contributes to a raise in prolactin levels and delays ovulation.

In addition to these obviously concerning methodology discrepancies is the flaunting of support Cycle Beads directs towards abortion giant Planned Parenthood. They are happy to share that your support of Cycle Beads and their products will translate directly into financial support for Planned Parenthood, which many of our readers would be opposed to.

So what is a NFP promoter to do?  If SDM proves to be an effective means of postponing pregnancy for some women while sidestepping contraception, then by all means let the non-charting begin. But women need to be aware that if using SDM they are clearly vulnerable if a wonky (yes that’s a medical term) cycle should materialize.

With modern NFP methods fighting so hard to distance themselves from the rhythm method of days past let’s not pretend that SDM and their promotion of CycleBeads are doing us any major favors in that fight.

Action

Get on over to that blog, and post your comment about what you think about Cycle Beads, NFP & this poorly written piece. There are only 6 comments there so far. Let’s aim for 50 by next week, please.

(c) 2011 J.Smith

My new blog cards are ‘a comin. Let me know if you like them. If I like them when I get here, I’ll send them to you if you want to hand ‘em out or leave them at random co-ops and farmers markets.

My parish

I live in the least populated and most rural state in the US, and probably the most rural and needy Catholic dioceses. I attend and serve St. Stephen’s Parish, the mission on the Wind River Indian Reservation, and one of the poorest parishes. The Jesuits served here for over a hundred years, and in August 2010, the mission changed hands into the Society of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity (SOLT), a struggling but essentially faithful and beautiful order.

The fruit of SOLT’s presence

I can’t tell you the difference their presence has made. While serving on the reservation is a serious struggle (I can’t begin to tell you), especially for non-native apostles, I’ve seen an increase in participation in the sacraments, at Mass and Confession especially. They’ve started weekly adoration for the needs of the parish, pray the Liturgy of the Hours in common in the parish church, started a charity clothing closet, and several catechetical efforts.

NFP Awareness Need

In conjunction with our pastor Fr. John Gaffney, I’m trying to increase the awareness of Theology of the Body, Natural Family Planning, fertility care and healing over pregnancy loss. We just ordered 40 Pure Intimacy booklets, 3 Why NFP CDs (for the SOLT clergy), but that used up half of their remaining (tiny) resource budget. We still need brochures on the dangers of birth control, pregnancy loss healing, and more clergy resources.

Please consider tithing during Respect Life month in the form of a purchase of catechetical gifts. The need on the res is so great, and there is a profound spiritual crisis here. Above all, please keep St. Stephen’s Mission in your prayers. If you’d like to help at all (no gift or purchase is too small), leave a comment below, and I’ll contact you. If you can’t help, please share this post in your social networks.

Wish List 

• [Update: Purchased items will feature a strikethrough.]
• Catholic Answers: Pure Intimacy Booklets (50–you can get a bulk/ parish rate), Birth Control–What’s the Big Deal? Pamphlets (1 pack)  
• One More Soul: Why NFP is a Priority in My Parish (2), Reaching the Cafeteria Catholic CD (2), Prove It God…And He Did–testimony CD (10), What a Woman Should Know About Birth Control (50-100), Testimony of Healing: Sterilization Reversal (2)
• Ascension Press: Theology of the Body for Teens Bundle (1), Theology of the Body for Beginners (10), Proclaiming Theology of the Body for Clergy (1)
• Other: Contraception: Why Not (10-50)

Here you go, friends. Check out these local US events, and for goodness sakes, if you’re in these areas, please help promote these events by Facebook, email, posting flyers, word of mouth–whatever! Also, keep me posted on upcoming events in your area by emailing me. International readers–please send your events, too!

California

• Oakland: Revolutionizing Women’s Health, an Intro to NaProTechnology, Thursday, October 13th 12-1:30pm, FREE
• Health Professionals & the general public invited
• Free, but registration required (light lunch to be served)
• South Gate: Humanae Vitae Conference for Clergy, St. Helen’s Convent, 9314 Madison Avenue, October 25th
• Glendale: Parish NFP Mission at Holy Family Parish, October 29-30th
• Call Fr. Jim at (818) 247-2222 for a schedule/ for more information

Illinois

• Chicago area: NFP Class schedules here & here

Kansas

• Wichita:  ”The Importance of NFP in Marriage & Spousal Love”, a wine & cheese event, Tuesday, October 18th 7pm (click link to RSVP)
• Wichita: Clergy Conference (clergy only)by NFP Outreach, Oct 17-20, 2011 
• –> Email your deacon & pastors to make sure they’re going!

Michigan

• Detroit area: Ongoing schedule of NFP classes/ events

Texas

• Dallas: area events in October

Virginia

• Richmond: NFP Seminar for Health Care Professionals, Clergy & Couples: “Your Catholic Faith & NFP”, Saturday November 5, 110am-3pm
• $10, workshops & lunch included
• Register here.

West Virginia

• Morgantown: NFP Introductory Session (Creighton Model, I believe), October 19th 7pm, FREE

I wish I had time (like when I was unemployed) to post and comment on every great NFP article. But I don’t. Maybe once I get to be an expert student and worker and time manager. But for now, Make sure you take a look at these when you can.

Medical news

• Use of hormonal contraceptives may DOUBLE risk of HIV infection (Lancet Journal)
• Contraceptives used in Africa may double risk of HIV infection (NYTimes--btw, you only get one free look, so either clear your cookies and try again, or just read/ print/ share it the first time.)
• FDA Flags concern on Birth Control Pill (I hope this is just the beginning)

Blogs, Editorials & Commentary

• NFL Player: “NFP helped my marriage” 
• “Empowering the Poor with NFP” by April Jaure of My Feminine Mind
• “You Can Never Afford Them” by Matt Archibold @ Creative Minority Report–great smart-aleck-gets-sincere and changes a heart story.

Miscellaneous Whatnot

My NFP Pinterest Board--follow it!

Have you heard of Pinterest? It’s a virtual pin board, a rockin’ bookmark web site for the visual person. I warn you: it’s addictive, but so is any social bookmarking or networking site. I’ve found it better than regular search engines for image searches for haircuts, organization tips (wow, some great ones), recipes, fun gift ideas, and I hear from friends there are a ton of wedding ideas. Tip: set a time limit for cruising Pinterest, or just go on it to look for a certain thing.

Anyway, I started a board (you can create and categorize more than one) for NFP & FertilityCare. Join Pinterest by requesting an invite from a friend, or you can directly request an invite from Pinterest. Email me or Tweet me (@NFPworks) if you’d like an invite!

Have you joined Pinterest yet? If so, what do you think?

[guest post by Kaitlin Carruth, Ceiba Participant Coordinator]

If you were thinking about starting the Creighton Model this is definitely the time!  The Creighton Model Effectiveness and Intentions Assessment (the CEIBA Study) is now enrolling new and return users of the Creighton Model. The study will look at the effectiveness of the method as well as gather information on how the method is used.

Many have found health and marital relationship benefits from natural family planning. The following is a true story that one of our study participants shared with us:

“I had been on birth control since my teenage years because of issues with my menstrual cycle (irregular, heavy bleeding, unbearable cramping, mood swings, etc.) and I had seen a lot of the side effects it had on my body. As we began looking into it, we learned that using the Creighton Model would help me figure out some of my female issues as well as provide a way to avoid pregnancy. I quickly realized that birth control was just a band-aid solution. Through learning to chart from a nurse (and having a good doctor), we would be able to figure out exactly where the issues stem from so we can fix it naturally rather than putting synthetic hormones into my body.

           My husband and I started learning the Creighton Model a few months before our wedding and it was not hard, it’s just a commitment. We always felt extremely supported! We couldn’t be happier knowing that we are preventing pregnancy naturally and when the time comes for us to have children, we are confident that this model will help us achieve pregnancy just as easily as we were able to prevent it. Being a part of the CEIBA study is very important to us, as well. We want to show others that Natural Family Planning is a healthy and effective way to avoid pregnancy. We just wish that more people knew about it!”

The study will involve at least 300 couples, 17 FertilityCare Centers and the University of Utah Coordinating Center. We currently have 280 participants. We will finish enrollment October 31^st of this year so act soon!

Participant Requirements:

• Being a new or return user of the Creighton Model with the stated intention of avoiding pregnancy
• Sexually active by October 31, 2011
• The woman is between the ages of 18 to 40
• The man is age 18 or older
• The woman has had at least 2 menstrual flows in the past 3 months or at least one menstrual flow since stopping hormonal birth control or postpartum

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of infertility
• Confirmed pelvic inflammatory disease, surgically confirmed untreated endometriosis, chemotherapy (either man or woman), or radiation to the reproductive tract (either man or woman)
• Hysterectomy, oophorectomy (ovary removed), tubal ligation, fallopian tube surgery, surgery for ectopic pregnancy, removal of a testicle (orchiectomy) or vasectomy
• Depo-Provera injection any time in the past 2 years
• Totally breastfeeding an infant, without any supplements

If you are interested or you would like to learn more about the Creighton Model or the study, please visit the Ceiba web page, call 801-231-6434, or email us at ceibastudy[at]gmail.com. You can also “like” us on Facebook.   

Guest blog post: Get sold on awesome intimacy, not an expensive wedding

I can’t believe I totally missed this, but Dustin over at Engaged Marriage posted one of my articles as a guest post…..over a year ago! I remember sending him that piece earlier that year, and him saying it might be good for the spring, but I didn’t hear back. So…check it out. I’m going to go take a closer look at the comments.