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Home | Download | Instructions
| FAQ
| Links and Reviews
Program Operation
Compatibility with various fertility methods
Learning NFP methods
FAQ's from other sites
NFP for Palm OS is freeware. I have committed to maintaining the software as freeware. I wrote the software primarily for my own use, but I thought others would benefit from its availability. Low cost is one of the inherent benefits of the NFP method. Outside of the small one-time cost of a thermometer, there are no additional weekly or monthly costs associated with the NFP method. Additional information on learning the techniques associated with the method can be obtained for free from your local library. See Links and Reviews for more information.
However, there is a cost to developing the software, from compilers to testing the software on various devices. While one should feel no obligation to pay anything because I want the program distributed as freeware, I am accepting donations via PayPal below. All donations will be put toward the cost of development and testing this NFP program.
Can I run NFP for Palm OS on my Windows PC?
NFP for Palm OS was written specifically for handhelds running Palm OS and will not run as a stand-alone program under a Windows operating system. If you are interested in a Windows based program, take a look at the software in the Links and Reviews section. It is possible to run NFP for Palm OS on a windows machine using a free Palm Simulator. The program will simulate a Palm OS handheld device on your Windows desktop, allowing you to sample the NFP program as well as a Palm OS handheld. Follow the directions below.
Sorry, the program has been written specifically for Palm OS and will not run on Pocket PC operating system. It would take a complete re-write of the program, over 250 pages of code.
What daily measurements are recorded using NFP?
The NFP program for Palm OS allows one to record basal body temperature, vaginal fluid sensation, fluid color, cervical position, and results of a luteinizing hormone test kit. Vaginal fluid sensation and fluid color are typically noted when a women goes to the bathroom throughout the day. They can also be observed in the evening before going to bed. Optionally, cervical position can also be recorded, typically at the end of the day. In addition one can record time differences if a temperature was taken earlier or later than normal. The program will adjust the temperature in an attempt to compensate for the time difference. The user can record if alcohol was consumed the previous evening, in which case the temperature will be ignored. An "other" check box is available for customized use and an extensive, searchable note feature allows the user to record any additional notes.
Why are multiple peak days predicted?
The NFP program for Palm OS independently predicts peak day for each fertility indicator. As a result, multiple peak days may be predicted if different indicators do not line up, representing uncertainty in predicting peak day. For fluid information and cervical information, NFP predicts peak day to have occurred on the last day of the highest fertility recorded. For temperature information, peak day is predicted to have occurred two days before the temperature rise. While this varies from month to month and from person to person, two days is often quoted as the average and is used by NFP. If your temperature rises one day after peak, your chart will show multiple peak days. However, predicted infertile days should still be relevant. It is important for you to understand how NFP predictions are made so as to come to your own fertility conclusions.
How is the start and end of the fertile phase determined?
NFP calculates the beginning of the fertile days using two methods. 1)
Depending on the length of the minimum cycle, infertile days are assumed to
occur for the first 3, 5, or 6 days of the cycle. This can be controlled
by the "Days for Roetzer rule" in Preferences. 2) Continued dry
days will further delay the onset of the fertile days. This can be
controlled by "Dry days rule" in Perferences.
NFP determines the end of the fertile days only after peak day has passed.
By default the program will wait 4 days after peak before indicating the end of
fertile days. This can be controlled by "Days to infertile
phase" in Preferences. In addition, by default, NFP requires at least
two seperate indicators, for example temperature and fluid to indicated peak has
passed. This can be controlled by "Rules for peak day".
Why do I have so many fertile days post-peak?
If you regularly have more than 3 or 4 days marked as "fertile" after the peak day, it could be because you need to adjust your definition of "dry". The three categories of dry, moist, and lubricated in Fluid Sensation are relative and not absolute terms. For example some NFP instructors recommend that the fluid sensation experienced a few days after your temperature rise should be considered "dry". For many women this will not be completely dry, but it represents the non-fertile state. Consider this same amount to be "dry" if it occurs in the beginning of the cycle. A truly "moist" sensation should be above this standard. With experience, you will become a better judge of your own relative fluid sensations.
NFP for Palm will not indicate the end of the fertile phase until "dry" days are recorded. This is because continued days of "moist" may indicate a false peak. As always, NFP for Palm is only a guide and you need to be confident in your own experience and judgment.
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NFP for Palm OS has the ability to export cycle information to the built-in Memo Pad. This feature is located on the menu in the Cycle Chart view. After exporting the cycle information to Memo Pad, sync your palm with your computer. Then you can copy and paste the information from your Palm Desktop into the included MS Excel file, NFP.xls. Note, the Excel file contains a special macro and will work more easily if you enable the macro. From Excel, you can print the chart. Because the Memo Pad is simply a text file, you can paste the data into any spreadsheet of your choice.
Step-by-Step directions (for a Windows PC):
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Is my NFP data being backed up during a Hot Sync?
The NFP program and the NFP data are backed up everytime you sync. In the "Backup" folder under your Palm username there should be the following three files. NFP.PRC is the program itself, NFPcycles.PDB is the back-up of the cycle information, and NFPdays.PDB is the back-up of the days information. Both NFPcycles.PDB and NFPdays.PDB would be needed inorder to restore data to the program. You can manually save copies of these 2 files in another folder if you want additional security. Otherwise, in the event that your Palm memory is erased, a Hot Sync will automatically restore NFP and all of the data.
Why isn't my daily information being displayed in Cycle Chart View?
Daily information will only be displayed in Cycle Chart View once the start of a cycle has been identified. The start of a cycle is identified by the first day of Heavy Flow or Medium Flow. If you have just started using the program, either continue using it until the start of your next cycle or go back and enter Heavy Flow on the first day of your current cycle. Then your daily information will be displayed in Cycle Chart View.
How do I use the Marquette Method or Couple to Couple League rules with this program?
Open the program, select the menu, choose "Options", and choose "Preferences...". Tap on the triangle to the right of "Presets". A drop-down box will appear from which you can select MM for Marquette Method or CCL for Couple to Couple League.
Can I use a single vaginal fluid indicator like in the book "Fertility" by Clubb & Knight?
The program allows the user to separately record Fluid Sensation and Fluid Color. However, the program will work equally well if the user combines observations into a single scale, recording Fluid Sensation and leaving Fluid Color blank.
Can I use the Billings Ovulation Method or the Creighton Model with NFP for Palm OS?
The Billings Ovulation Method refers to a specific method of charting and practicing natural family planning which is advocated by the World Organisation Ovulation Method Billings and the Billings Ovulation Method Association - USA. Neither of these organizzations have approved NFP for Palm OS as conforming to their standard. If you are interested in an approved handheld program, see Links and Reviews. The Creighton Model is a further standardization of the Billings Ovulation Method that includes a specific teaching methodology. Again, NFP for Palm OS does not conform to the exact terminology or philosophy of the Creighton Model. Please contact me if you are knowledgeable about either method and are interested helping me modify NFP for Palm OS so as to conform to the terminology and meet the standards set out by these organizations.
In NFP for Palm OS, if you wish to utilize a method based primarily on vaginal fluid recordings then in Preferences set "Rules for peak day" to 1. Now the program will only require a single indicator for fertility predictions, in this case vaginal fluid indicators. Record daily information in "Sensation" and "Fluid Color". Please be aware that this may be less effective in understanding your fertility cycle than an approach that utilizes multiple indicators.
Isn't the NFP method just a conspiracy by the Catholic Church to get Catholics to have lots of babies?
The Catholic Church has a complicated relationship with Natural Family Planning. Originally the Church advocated a Calendar Method based entirely on counting days past the first day of the cycle. This method is highly ineffective, especially for women with a variable cycle length. All current instructors of NFP teach a more sophisticated technique that involves multiple indicators to determine when a women is fertile or infertile. This empowers a women or a couple to make informed sexual decisions to either achieve or avoid pregnancy. Unfortunately, I believe it is this and other lingering myths that have prevented the NFP method from being more widely practiced.
What online resources exist for learning how to use the NFP method?
Some resources are listed in the Links and Reviews section of this website. Included in the list is a good online primer about using NFP methods.
How is NFP any different from the Calendar Method?
The calendar method, or rhythm method, is based entirely on counting days past the first day of the cycle. This method is highly ineffective, especially for women with a variable cycle length. The NFP method is far more comprehensive utilizing far more information. Instead of being based on one piece of information for the entire month, the NFP method is utilizing daily information. The NFP method can be based on over 50 pieces of information if one records temperature, fluid sensation, fluid color, and cervical position on a daily basis.
What is the scientific support for NFP?
The Couple to Couple League advocates a style of Natural Family Planning that is closely tied to a moral and religious vision. Regardless of your personal view, their website gives a nice overview of some studies detailing the high effectiveness of NFP.
I recommend the following studies that discuss aspects of NFP. If you have access to a university library, you may be able to access these articles yourself:
Pyper, C.M.M. and J. Knight. 2001. Fertility awareness methods of
family planning: the physiological background, methodology and effectivess of
fertility awareness methods. The Journal of Family Planning and
Reproductive Health Care. 72:103-110.
Download
article. This is a very nice review of the fertility awareness method,
which they define as a method using multiple fertility awareness techniques with
the possibility of using alternative contraception methods during the fertile
phase. This article is designed to teach health care professionals
about FAM and NFP.
Barrett, J.C. and J. Marshall. 1969. The risk of conception on
different days of the menstrual cycle. Population Studies. 23: 455-461.
This is an old study that used the
basal body temperature method to determine when ovulation took place, and then
relate that to the window of fertility. This study found that pregnancy can
result from sexual intercourse on in a five day window before ovulation, in
addition to the day of ovulation.
Wilcox, A. J., R. Clarice, and D. Donna. 1995. Timing of sexual
intercourse in relation to ovulation -- effects on the probability of
conception, survival of the pregnancy, and sex of the baby. New England
Journal of Medicine. 333: 1517-1521.
This is a fairly recent study that
used urine samples to identify the day of ovulation. This study confirmed
that pregnancy can result from sexual intercourse in a five day window before
ovulation, in addition to the day of ovulation.
Frank-Hermann P., G. Freundl, CH Gnoth. 1997. Natural family
planning with and without barrier method use in the fertile phase:
efficacy in relation to sexual behavior: a German prospective long-term
study. Advances in Contraception. 13: 179-189.
This study demonstrates that when
barrier methods of contraception, for example condoms, are used during the
fertile phase, there is no increased incidence of pregnancy as long as those
barrier methods are correctly used.