A recent comment supporting Natural Family Planning by one of the most unlikely of people shocked many advocates of the method around the world. Laura Wershler, executive director of Sexual Health Access Alberta, formerly Planned Parenthood Alberta, joined thousands health professionals from around the globe in expressing her concern regarding  the lack of information on Natural Family Planning methods for women who choose not to use hormonal contraceptives.

Ms Wershler's comment undoubtedly came as a surprise to many who expected her to be a champion of mainstream medicine and endorser of drugs manufactured by pharmaceutical companies which are thought by many to be interested only in bottom line profits, as opposed to providing women a variety of viable and safe family planning options.

This begs the question, ‘Why would women dump contraceptives when they’ve been used by thousands of women for over half a century?’

There are a number of reasons actually. Some studies have shown that contraceptive drugs have a link to breast and cervical cancer since they affect muscle growth. In fact, the WHO categorized estrogen-progesterone oral contraceptives as a cancer-causing substance, or carcinogen in 2005.

Another reason is that some women are still hesitant to take something they know will have a major effect on their body. These women tend to stick to natural methods, even taking organic based products instead.

In fact, more and more doctors are saying that the best thing you should do is to use hormonal contraceptives as a last resort and only when Natural Family Planning is not a practical option – representing a shift in conventional attitude that echoes the comments of Wershler.