Marquette Method Regular Cycles Manual

This chapter reviews the biology of human reproduction. Because direct hormonal monitoring forms the cornerstone of the Marquette system, this chapter emphasizes in particular the functioning of the four main female reproductive hormones: follicle stimulating hormone, estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone.

Choosing which method of NFP will suit you, your family, and your lifestyle best is a personal decision. No one method of NFP is the perfect choice for all women, all of the time. This chapter helps couples make an informed choice about which method to choose. It outlines the similarities and differences between each of the mainstream methods of NFP, including low-tech calendar formulas, mucus-based methods, symptothermal methods, and the Marquette Method, which is a high-tech calendar method.

The chapter then goes onto explain how natural family planning effectiveness rates are studied and measured, introducing the concepts of perfect and typical use. It then presents and compares the perfect and typical use published effectiveness rates for each of the NFP methods.

Practicing the Marquette Method correctly means operating “the technology” of the method – the Clearblue monitor and test sticks – correctly. This chapter begins explaining the science of the method – revealing how the test sticks work, how the monitor reads the sticks, and what the fertility readings mean. This chapter also reviews the foundational research that helped the Marquette Method researches to choose the Clearblue line of fertility monitors as the key technology on which to develop their revolutionary method of NFP.

The chapter then dives into the specifics, providing essential information that enables Marquette Method users to confidently use their monitor correctly. It identifies the various ways in which Marquette’s use of the monitor deviates from the instructions outlined in the Clearblue instruction booklets, and clears up any confusion Marquette users may have about how to operate their monitor correctly to ensure accurate test results, every time.

The Marquette Method developers devised a simple, 6-step process women need to follow to practice the method. I have found, in my practice, that this leaves many women confused – and leads, for some women, to a number of of unintended deviations from the method instructions. In my book, I take a different approach, by explaining precisely what actions Marquette Method users need to take on each day of their cycle. This chapter lays out my unique system, day-by-day, and clears up any confusion my clients may have about missing a step.

Charting is an essential element to a couple’s practice of the Marquette Method. A woman who charts is mapping her hormone levels throughout her menstrual cycle. This chapter makes the case for accurate and complete charting, and then provides explicit instructions on how to fill out Vitae Fertility’s Marquette Method paper charts correctly.

This final chapter brings together the information presented thus far to answer the basic question of how Marquette Method users calculate the beginning and end of each cycle’s fertile window. It begins by presenting the instructions for couples in their first six cycles of use, and then introduces the Marquette Method algorithm, which is used by couples after they have charted 6 cycles worth of data with the Marquette Method.

This chapter concludes by going over what to expect at each of your instructor follow-ups, and provides a list of special circumstances which, should they occur, you should promptly get in touch with your instructor for personalized recommendations.