By McKenna J. Coatney, DO, MA
Editor’s Note: In this interview reflection, McKenna Coatney, DO, MA, summarizes a patient experience using the Marquette Method to better understand fertility and achieve pregnancy. As a participant in the FACTS elective, Dr. Coatney explores how fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) combine scientific biomarkers, patient education, and individualized care to empower women in understanding their reproductive health. The FACTS elective continues to equip future healthcare professionals with evidence-based knowledge of FABMs and their applications in modern medical practice. To learn more about upcoming FACTS electives and CME opportunities, visit the FACTS website.
Meet Jane
For this interview, I spoke with a woman named Jane,* who has used fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) to understand her cycle and achieve her dream of becoming pregnant. Jane explained that she heard about natural family planning early in her childhood because of her Catholic upbringing, but she was first educated on FABMs through a Christian Marriage course that she took in college.
Jane currently uses the Marquette Method; however, she first learned the Creighton Model from a trained instructor. She shared that she was initially drawn to the Marquette Method because it uses a fertility monitor to detect urinary hormone metabolites, specifically estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH), to estimate the timing of ovulation and peak fertility. The fertility monitor provided more objective, concrete data, rather than depending on interpreting subjective observations, such as cervical mucus. The Marquette Method allowed her to benefit from both subjective and objective data, which she appreciated. This choice highlights an important aspect of FABMs: women have multiple options and can choose the method that works best for them.
Based on clear evidence, we can see that FABMs enable tracking of predictable changes throughout the ovulatory-menstrual cycle. Therefore, the signs and symptoms are not merely “guesses” but concrete, factual evidence that allow us to gain insight about women’s complex bodies and the patterns they exhibit. These natural methods identify the fertile window by tracking biomarkers that change in response to ovarian hormones, notably estrogen, LH and progesterone. Cervical mucus patterns, urinary hormone metabolites and basal body temperature together can reflect physiological events such as follicle development, ovulation and potential pregnancy.
“These natural methods identify the fertile window by tracking biomarkers that change in response to ovarian hormones, notably estrogen, LH and progesterone.”
Learning the Right Method for You
Jane’s experience shows us that FABMs differ from one another and are not a one-size-fits-all. From her experience, we can see that different methods may work better for different ways of learning, personalities, and medical histories. This is an important learning point for future physicians, since counseling patients about FABMs should involve helping women find a scientifically sound method that is also sustainable for their lifestyle.
Another major theme in Jane’s interview was the importance of education. She said that receiving formal instruction for the Creighton Model made a significant difference in how quickly the method “clicked” for her. Her instructor broke down the material in a simple way and helped her believe she could use it in her daily life. As I learned in this elective, FABMs are evidence-based methods that require proper teaching, especially in the beginning. Interpreting data and identifying the fertile window can be challenging for beginners. Jane noted that it took her around two to three cycles before she felt confident interpreting her own data. This is important for both instructors and patients to understand. As Jane noted, learning the method takes time, and new users often need reassurance and support.
“FABMs differ from one another and are not a one-size-fits-all … (so) counseling patients about FABMs should involve helping women find a scientifically sound method that is also sustainable for their lifestyle.”
Jane also talked openly about some of the adversity she faced. She stated that it was often difficult to find consistency in her charting, and this added to the emotional pressure she felt while trying to conceive. It is easy for individuals to become too focused on the timing and biomarkers they observe, which ultimately makes the process more stressful. However, it is also possible that, with time, the highly structured method was able to reduce Jane’s anxiety as she became better at identifying patterns and feeling more confident in her ability to understand her body. I greatly appreciated her honesty about her experience, as it is a reminder that the women who use these different methods are real people with emotions and often high expectations.
Final Insights
Through this interview and the FACTS elective, I learned that FABMs are much more scientific and clinically relevant than I had previously realized. Prior to this experience, I had tied FABMs to religious and moral preferences. While these reasons may be important for certain women, FABMs are strongly tied to women’s healthcare. I also gained more appreciation for different methods and how each works better for some than for others, depending on their preferences and comfort levels.
“The highly structured method was able to reduce Jane’s anxiety as she became better at identifying patterns and feeling more confident in her ability to understand her body.”
Overall, Jane’s experience gave me a better idea of how FABMs can be incorporated into everyday life and why they are meaningful to many women. She was able to represent how these methods can combine science, self-awareness, and a stronger sense of well-being to empower women to better understand their reproductive health.
*Names have been changed to respect the privacy of the interviewee. All information is shared with permission.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
McKenna Coatney is a fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University in Kansas City, MO. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. She plans to pursue residency in general surgery and is interested in breast and colorectal surgical oncology. She enrolled in the FACTS elective to gain a better understanding of natural family planning methods and ways to share these methods with future friends, loved ones and patients so they feel more empowered over their health and reproductive decisions.
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