Natural birth control refers to methods of birth control that are natural in that they do not rely on any artifice of medical science. These methods include abstinence, methods of fertility awareness, the Lactational Amenorrhea Method, coitus interruptus (withdrawal), and possibly heat-based contraception.

Controversially, anal sex and oral sex, inasmuch as they are sexual activity with no or a low risk of conception, may also be described as a natural birth control method. Promoters of possible herbal contraceptives such as wild yam, Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot), or neem may refer to the herbs as natural birth control.

Natural birth control excludes all barrier, hormonal, chemical, and surgical birth control methods, including condoms, the pill, the IUD, spermicides, and sterilization. Natural birth control generally does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Proponents of the Catholic concept of natural family planning define 'natural' somewhat differently, and only approve of methods based on fertility awareness or breastfeeding infertility, coupled with periodic abstinence during high fertility times for couples trying to avoid pregnancy.

Birth control