Fertility-Based Awareness Methods (FBAM) have seen a resurgence in popularity. These various methods rely on menstrual cycle awareness and physiologic biomarkers to identify the fertile window, allowing users to either avoid or achieve pregnancy by determining peak conception days.
Despite its growing interest, research found that half of physicians do not offer FBAM as a contraceptive option during patient counseling. This review aims to identify and synthesize the social, cultural, and practical factors that drive patient interest in FBAM and contribute to limited clinician endorsement.
Relevant literature for this narrative review was identified through keyword searches using terms such as “natural family planning,” “fertility-based awareness methods,” and “non-hormonal contraception.” Searches focused on peer-reviewed articles published within the past 10 years, with additional sources included when necessary to provide historical and cultural context.
A review of the literature shows that religious groups and hormone-free social media personalities are the specific groups who are increasingly shaping contraceptive discussions. The non-hormonal nature of FBAM appeals to individuals seeking a more “natural” lifestyle. Five papers specifically document that “the pill” is losing popularity. Cultural shifts toward natural health practices contribute to growing skepticism toward hormonal contraception, a trend often amplified by misinformation. Knowledge of these influences is necessary for clinicians to more effectively navigate these socially charged conversations.
The AAFP recognizes seven different FBAM. Each method requires different patient education and reports a large range of typical uses. The different reported contraceptive effectiveness of FBAM across papers limits the research. The variety of methods, dependence on clinicians’ time to educate patients, and strong reliance on patient compliance all explain FBAM’s low clinician support. Successful FBAM implementation by clinicians requires overcoming the barriers, identified by our research as a lack of awareness of the many methods, and increased patient education time.
Despite its growing interest, research found that half of physicians do not offer FBAM as a contraceptive option during patient counseling. This review aims to identify and synthesize the social, cultural, and practical factors that drive patient interest in FBAM and contribute to limited clinician endorsement.
Relevant literature for this narrative review was identified through keyword searches using terms such as “natural family planning,” “fertility-based awareness methods,” and “non-hormonal contraception.” Searches focused on peer-reviewed articles published within the past 10 years, with additional sources included when necessary to provide historical and cultural context.
A review of the literature shows that religious groups and hormone-free social media personalities are the specific groups who are increasingly shaping contraceptive discussions. The non-hormonal nature of FBAM appeals to individuals seeking a more “natural” lifestyle. Five papers specifically document that “the pill” is losing popularity. Cultural shifts toward natural health practices contribute to growing skepticism toward hormonal contraception, a trend often amplified by misinformation. Knowledge of these influences is necessary for clinicians to more effectively navigate these socially charged conversations.
The AAFP recognizes seven different FBAM. Each method requires different patient education and reports a large range of typical uses. The different reported contraceptive effectiveness of FBAM across papers limits the research. The variety of methods, dependence on clinicians’ time to educate patients, and strong reliance on patient compliance all explain FBAM’s low clinician support. Successful FBAM implementation by clinicians requires overcoming the barriers, identified by our research as a lack of awareness of the many methods, and increased patient education time.