FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the First Step?
The first step in learning how to chart your cycles with the Creighton Model System is to attend an Introductory Session. Then you can decide is this method is a good fit for you and your lifestyle. Click here for upcoming dates and to register.
How is Fertility Awareness different from the “rhythm method”?
Modern “Fertility Awareness” Based Methods (FABMs) are based on educating women about the science of their fertility and normal reproductive physiology. Calendar rhythm method refers to estimating one’s fertility based on averages and generalizations regarding the regular, cyclic nature of a woman’s fertility.
FABMs emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s fertility so that this information can be used not only for family planning, but also for maintaining a woman’s reproductive health.
Modern Fertility Awareness Based Methods (of which the Creighton Model is one) can be a tremendous asset to a woman in order to have a better understanding of her overall health and wellness. A woman’s monthly cycle is a barometer of her health, and her chart is a tangible tracker of cyclic hormonal activity in her body. As hormones fluctuate during a given cycle, external physical signs can be observed and recorded to understand her unique pattern of hormonal changes.
If a woman experiences irregular cycles, painful cycles, abnormal bleeding, inability to conceive, or other gynecologic concerns, charting allows her to understand her body better. Charting may also provide key information to help trained clinicians diagnose health problems and assist in treating various conditions.
How effective is Creighton at avoiding pregnancy?
CrMS is as effective and, in some cases, more effective than other user-directed methods of artificial birth control, to help couples postpone or prevent pregnancy. In couples of normal fertility using the method to avoid pregnancy, the use effectiveness rate (typical use) is 96.8%. This in contrast to condoms (82%) and oral contraceptives (91%).
CrMS used in conjunction with NaPro Technology to treat the underlying cause of infertility is 2.8 times as effective as artificial reproductive technologies to help couples achieve pregnancy.
What is NaPro Technology?
Natural Procreative Technology (NaProTechnology), is an approach to women’s health care that utilizes the woman’s signs and symptoms of fertility to enable trained medical consultants to evaluate and treat various female biological conditions by both medical and surgical means. NaProTechnology does this by using biological information that a woman records in her Creighton Model chart. This charting system provides prospective information regarding the woman’s cycle, bleeding patterns, and quality/amount of cervical mucus. With this information, doctors specifically trained in NaPro Technology can provide medical and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system.
What medical conditions can be addressed with Creighton Model and NaPro Technology?
- Infertility
- Painful cycles
- PMS
- Post partum depression
- Ovarian cysts
- Irregular or abnormal bleeding
- PCOS
- Endometriosis
- Repetitive miscarriage
- Hormonal abnormalities
Do you offer long-distance learning?
Absolutely! Although it is preferred to meet in person, sometimes that just isn’t possible. Talk to me directly to discuss how we can arrange to meet via videochat and share charting updates etc electronically. There is an additional small fee for long-distance follow-up to cover the cost of mailing supplies and materials and also for the added time involved in coordinating remote learning.