Understanding the Marquette Method

Discover the Marquette Method of natural family planning, a scientifically-backed approach to fertility awareness. Register for the online class to learn more and take control of your reproductive health.

Benefits of Marquette

• Helpful for women with irregular cycles, i.e. related to PCOS or perimenopause.

• Special protocol for women who are postpartum/breastfeeding.

• Less required abstinence days compared to other methods.

• Personalized guidance from a trained medical professional (all instructors are registered nurses or doctors).

Cost: $250

Discount: $150

The discounted price will be available while I am still a Marquette Model Student Teacher. The price will increase post-certification.

What's included:

• Private instructional session (live online via webcam)

• Charting assistance

• Review of charts

• Follow up sessions at 1 & 3 months

• Check-in at 6 months, and as needed for a year

• Assurance of having a trained medical professional available for guidance and questions.

Not included:

• Clearblue Fertility Monitor

• Clearblue Fertility Test Strips

• cups for urine collection

Marquette Method FAQs

What is the Marquette Method?

The Marquette Method is a natural family planning technique incorporating awareness of the female menstrual cycle and the technology of hormone monitoring to test for estrogen and luteinizing hormone.

How does it work?

Is it effective?

What materials do I need?

Can I take the class online?

It involves tracking your cycle and the monitor results daily on a chart. There are certain protocols to follow depending on your goals, which you can discuss with your instructor.

The fertility monitor works by detecting specific hormone metabolites in urine to predict and confirm ovulation, helping users identify their fertile window. The Clearblue Fertility Monitor can identify threshold levels of estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G) and luteinizing hormone (LH), providing readings of "low," "high," or "peak" fertility.

The method is 98.8% effective with correct use (if all the rules are followed), and the rate drops slightly to 88-92% effective for “typical” use, which accounts for some slip-ups (such as forgetting to test). Having an experienced instructor to review your charts and provide objective feedback helps to minimize user error, which can increase the method's overall effectiveness for avoiding or achieving pregnancy.

You will need a Clearblue Fertility Monitor, Clearblue Fertility Test-strips, and small cups to catch your urine in.

Yes, the instructional class is available online for convenience. Couples from anywhere in the world can register for the class.

When should I start tracking my fertility if I’m postpartum?

Ideally, you should start tracking around 6 weeks postpartum, or whenever you resume intimacy. For some women who are exclusively breastfeeding, their return to fertility can be delayed up to 6 months (sometimes longer) according to the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) of NFP. If you’re interesting in learning more about LAM and if it applies to you, we can discuss this in a free consultation phone call.

If you are a postpartum mom who is breastfeeding, I will gear the session towards your needs, because there are specific protocols to follow for those who have not gotten their cycle yet or for those who are transitioning back to normal cycles.

Should I practice Marquette Method to achieve pregnancy or avoid pregnancy?

Either or both! The method works either way; once you identify your fertile window, you can abstain or come together as you see fit. You can start out with the intent to avoid pregnancy, and then you and your partner might decide it's the right time to start trying to conceive.

What are "abstinence days"?

The practice of avoiding sexual intercourse or genital contact during a woman's fertile window, if the goal is to avoid pregnancy.

NFP entails periodic abstinence (instead of withdrawal or barrier methods) so as to respect God's design for marital unity and procreation. The practice of abstinence helps build self-control and encourages couples to express love and intimacy in non-sexual ways, potentially strengthening their communication and bond.