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Behavioral Methods of Contraception

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The Handbook of Contraception

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Practice ((CCP))

Abstract

A large proportion of couples rely on behavioral methods of contraception, at least intermittently or at some point in their lives. These methods rely on knowledge about male and female reproductive physiology and the menstrual cycle rather than medications, herbs, devices, or barriers to prevent pregnancy. Behavioral methods can be divided into two categories: methods that do not rely on the menstrual cycle (i.e., abstinence or coitus interruptus) and methods that rely on the menstrual cycle. Methods that rely on the menstrual cycle can be further subdivided into Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) and “Natural” Family Planning (NFP). FAM includes methods that rely on women to monitor physiologic changes during their menstrual cycle whereas NFP relies on the menstrual calendar to distinguish likely fertile from non-fertile days.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Dr., OB/GYN, HG 332, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Anna L. Altshuler MD, MPH & Paul D. Blumenthal MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Anna L. Altshuler MD, MPH
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  2. Paul D. Blumenthal MD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anna L. Altshuler MD, MPH .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck Medical School at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Donna Shoupe

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, LOS ANGELES, California, USA

    Daniel R. Mishell, Jr.

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Altshuler, A.L., Blumenthal, P.D. (2016). Behavioral Methods of Contraception. In: Shoupe, D., Mishell, Jr., D. (eds) The Handbook of Contraception. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20185-6_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20185-6_14

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20184-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20185-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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