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For decades “the rhythm method,” basal body temperature and cervical mucus monitoring were the primary tools available to couples interested in natural family planning.

Thanks to research undertaken at Marquette’s Institute for Natural Family Planning, a modern NFP method called the Marquette Model now guides couples in employing scientific methods and easy-to-use tools such as an electronic hormonal fertility monitor to accurately track fertility.

Using the rhythm method, a woman counts the days of her menstrual cycle, monitors her waking temperature or observes her cervical mucus to determine when she is fertile. With the Marquette Model, a woman measures the levels of two female reproductive hormones — estrogen and luteinizing hormones — in the urine with a hand-held fertility monitor. The two hormonal indicators provide a good estimate of the beginning and end of the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle.

There are six days of fertility in the menstrual cycle, the day of ovulation and the five days before. Dr. Richard Fehring, R.N., professor of nursing, says the Marquette Model provides good indicators to estimate the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle. Couples can use this information to achieve or avoid pregnancy.

When used correctly and consistently, Fehring says the Marquette Model has a 97 to 99 percent effectiveness rating in avoiding pregnancy, which approaches the effectiveness of the birth control pill.

“We want to help couples work with nature, with their natural cycles, as a healthy way of family planning,” he says. “This method takes mutual motivation. Couples have to work together, but they tell us the experience improves their communication and fits their moral, ethical and spiritual view of family life.”

Since 1998 Marquette has offered the only for-credit courses available to health professionals who want to coach couples on natural family planning and integrate fertility monitoring into enhancing women’s health. A new Web site, which will go live later in 2008, will help couples learn how to use natural family planning methods, participate in discussion rooms, and consult with nurses, doctors and moral theologians about natural family planning.

Fehring and his colleagues are also studying the variability of the menstrual cycle and application of fertility monitoring during breastfeeding.

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Quick Facts About Marquette

Identity:	Catholic, Jesuit, private
Established:	1881
Location:	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Undergraduate:	8,048
Postgraduate:	3,500
Campus:	Urban, 80 acres
Athletics:	14 NCAA Division I teams (Big East Conference)
Colors:	Blue and Gold

Innovations in family planning