From Dabbling with Different Methods to Embracing Marquette
By: Udhaya Aelety
Editor’s Note: This month we are featuring research summaries and patient interviews highlighting the various fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) that people may choose to use for family planning. Udhaya Aelety, a former FACTS elective participant, interviewed a woman who had tried several different FABMs over the last couple decades. Though she eventually found a method that worked best for her, Elaine*wishes more girls and young women were aware of their options.
Elaine was a teenager when she was first introduced to fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) more than two decades ago. Then, before getting married, she became acquainted with the Creighton Model. It was empowering for her to figure out her body’s capabilities and her newfound knowledge eventually inspired her to research other methods available.
She dabbled with the Sympto-Thermal method for a bit, but soon realized it was not for her. She also doubted her accuracy when judging her cervical mucus observations, knowing they were susceptible to human error. Then, in 2006, Elaine discovered the Marquette method, and she knew she had to give it a shot. She was immediately drawn to its feasibility and appreciated that it was based on the objective findings of urinary hormonal levels. She further valued the convenience of using a Clearblue monitor with the urine test strips, and recording her results through an app. Overall, she found the method to be much more effective than her previous efforts with other methods.
After getting married, Elaine meticulously used the Marquette method and tracked her hormone levels to plan for a pregnancy. Her cycles were initially erratic, and she suffered from a miscarriage during the early years of marriage. By charting her cycles and working with a Natural Procreative (NaPro) medical consultant, she was able to determine that she had low progesterone levels. She was given supplemental progesterone, which produced great results, and found this treatment also alleviated her premenstrual symptoms. With the aid of the Marquette method and NaPro treatment, she is now a happy mother to four healthy sons.
“Learning about these methods has helped her appreciate the full spectrum of options for family planning.”
When asked if she would recommend these methods to others, she replied that she would, without a doubt. Learning about these methods has helped her appreciate the full spectrum of options for family planning. Though she doesn’t have a daughter of her own, she currently teaches her nieces about these methods and educates them on how to chart their cycles and understand the reproductive system. As an advocate of FABMs, she encourages all girls to learn about these methods as early as possible. Elaine posited that adolescent girls should simultaneously be taught about the follicular cycle and what ovulation could mean for them while also learning about menstruation. Presenting young girls with information about cycle awareness and FABMs gives them the opportunity to learn about various methods and decide what works best for them. Thus, teen girls become informed women with the power to understand their bodies and to feel more empowered to manage their reproductive health. Furthermore, these methods also provide women and couples more information that may alleviate patients’ concerns surrounding pregnancy by helping them understand when they may be fertile and when they are not.
“Presenting young girls with information about cycle awareness and FABMs gives them the opportunity to learn about various methods and decide what works best for them.”
Natural family planning also equipped Elaine to strengthen her bond with her husband. He was encouraging and supportive of her decision to pursue these methods and understood why they should abstain from intercourse during the days she could be fertile to prevent unplanned pregnancies. A relationship is strengthened when a couple not only understands each other but accepts each other. Elaine also garnered support via social media, connecting with a group of women who have used FABMs. As a part of this community, she was able to celebrate the power of womanhood alongside people with similar experiences. It was an ideal way for her to figure out why something didn’t work out for her and how to make modifications. Using these methods has undoubtedly changed Elaine’s life and she recommends that everyone at least try it and experience firsthand the impact it can make.
*The name has been changed to respect the privacy of the interviewee, and all information is shared with permission.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Udhaya Aelety
Udhaya Aelety attended the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. She plans on pursuing family medicine with obstetrics. She decided to take the FACTS elective online due to her passion for women’s health and hopes to continue learning about fertility awareness-based methods and educate others about the role these methods play in natural family planning.
