The NFP Journey

Just as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature are indicators of your body's general health, fertility signs are indicators of reproductive health. These external signs are regulated by hormones which influence not only your reproductive system but also your general health.  Charting tracks the physical signs as they change throughout your menstrual cycle in order to identify times of fertility and create a personal health record. 
What signs are charted and which NFP methods use these signs?

1. Choose a Method:  Different models of NFP have been developed based upon observation of specific signs of fertility. 

• Mucus-only methods or ovulation methods are probably the most widely used. They work great for women with a fairly normal production of mucus. These include the Billings Method or the Creighton Model.
• Sympto-thermal method: this method includes three signs: the mucus, the temperature and the position of the cervix. It works well for women who like the confirmation of more than one sign. It also works best for women who have a regular lifestyle, as the temperature should be taken at the same time every day. This can be taught via SymptoPro or the Couple to Couple League.
• Sympto-hormonal method: this method helps you detect the production of key fertility hormones with a simple at-home urine test and cross check it with mucus observation. This can be practiced with the Marquette method or FEMM.
• If you're not sure which best fits your lifestyle and goals, Try this fun interactive quiz to choose an NFP method..

2. Take Classes:  Instruction from a trained educator is key to using NFP effectively and confidently!   Go to NFP Classes for class dates. locations, costs and contact information  of local and online NFP education providers.  

• NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology) is a recent innovation in women’s health science that monitors and maintains a woman’s reproductive and gynecological health. It provides medical and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system.
• Creighton FertilityCare  offers a network of affiliate medical consultants trained in identifying and treating the root cause of infertility and other womens’ health disorders using the Napro Technology approach.
• FEMM is a women’s health program that teaches the link between hormones and health, and how to monitor hormonal and other vital signs of reproductive health. Their program includes a medical management and protocols to treat reproductive health disorders.

4.  Seek support: Utilize the many available Resources for Couples such as charting apps, websites, and Catholic teaching which provide support for living the NFP lifestyle.

Email jfullin@columbuscatholic.org if you have any further questions, or call
Office of Marriage and Family Life at 614-241-2560