Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaHuman Sexuality and Biological Markers to Identify Fertile Phases
Main language of instruction: Catalan
Other languages of instruction: Spanish,
Head instructor
MsU Yolanda FERNANDEZ - yfernandez@uic.es
Office hours
Dra. Yolanda Fernández Hermida yfernandez@uic.es
Dear students, welcome to the Human Sexuality and Fertility Indicators subject.
There is a basic principle in medicine that we should never forget: if through natural means the primary purpose of medicine is achieved, which is the conservation of health, these should not be replaced by others. This basic rule that is so often forgotten, there is also the topic we are dealing with in this subject.
In it we are going to take a tour about the history of natural family planning, to later influence human sexual anthropology, which cannot necessarily be exhaustive, and we will take a tour about fertility indicators, with the study of their meaning . Its application in practical situations through the registration of the female menstrual cycle, and the recognition of the fertile and infertile phases thereof.
It is necessary to have passed the anatomy and physiology of the female and male reproductive system, as well as the psychology subject.
The objectives of the subject are that the student acquires:
• An integrative vision of the different dimensions of human sexuality
• Basic knowledge about fertility and fertilization with respect for human life since its inception, STDs, etc.
• Knowledge about the biological indicators of fertility and its practical application to Natural Family Planning.
The student who has successfully completed this subject:
• Has an integrative vision of sexual health that encompasses the different dimensions of human sexuality
• Critically assess the scientific evidence in this area and the different sex education programs that exist today
• Interpret graphs of Natural Recognition of Fertility (RNF) in different stages and situations (postpartum, lactation, premenopause ...)
UNIT 1: Anthropological basis of the NFP
1.1 Anthropology of human sexuality.
1.2 History of Natural Family Planning.
1.3 Integration of sexuality in the NFP.
1.4 Anthropological differences between NFP and contraception.
1.5 Sex education programs.
UNIT 2: Physiological Bases of the NFP
2.1 Anatomy and Physiology of the male and female reproductive system.
2.2 Indicators of female fertility.
• Biophysical parameters of cervical secretion.
• Other ovulation parameters: temperature, changes in the cervix.
• Own symptoms.
2.3 Combined fertility. Fertilization, implantation, pregnancy.
UNIT 3: Natural Fertility Recognition Methods
• Cervical Mucus Method.
• Syntothermic methods.
• MELA.
• Creighton method. Naprotechnology
RENAFER. Asociación Española de Profesores de Planificación Familiar Natural. Texto de Consulta para expertos de Planificación Familiar Natural. 2017. Barcelona.