Current Method: Marquette
Previous Method: SymptoPro, Justisse, Sensiplan, The Well
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- Tell us a little about yourself.I am a professional musician (oboist) for the US Coast Guard and after finding the knowledge I could get from my menstrual cycle, I saw a passion come out of me that I haven’t had for anything else except music! I’m very introverted but willing get very chatty about things I’m passionate about.
- What effects has fertility awareness had on your relationship?When I first started charting, it was a test because my husband did not trust the method. However, now it has made our relationship closer and communication better. I put him in control to handle contraception during the fertile window, and he relies on my knowledge for the infertile times.
- Current Method: Marquette - How did you find your instructor?I used an instructor through Feminine Genius Ministries. It was $120 for the online course and a year of support.
- Describe your daily charting routine.I am primarily a Symptothermal user but for Marquette use my temps with TempDrop, use the ClearBlue monitor about 10 morning a cycle, test for LH a few times, and use Proov strips 1-2 times a cycle.
- What made you choose this method?I am weary of the Marquette algorithm day and the fact that it changes so often; I wonder if it could be less effective than more conservative borderline days and so I choose not to use it. I also had a cycle when I missed peak and also did not get a positive LH strip, but I was able to confirm with another method. If I was only using Marquette, this could have been an issue for me.
- Has charting helped you to understand your overall health?I feel Marquette helps predict ovulation much better than other methods I have used. I can expect within a few days when I will have a temp shift or mucus peak day because of the monitor’s readings.
- Did you switch to this method from another one? If so, why?I wanted to learn more about hormonal methods as I am becoming an instructor in another method. It was extremely easy to learn because of my previous experience, as well as the fact that the method is so simple.
- Did you stop using this method? If so, why?I continue to use this method but may choose not to continue due to the waste created by constant use of test sticks.
- Previous Method: SymptoPro, Justisse, Sensiplan, The WellI connected with an instructor on Instagram who I hadn’t realized was a SymptoPro instructor until I saw her name on their website. Her course was $285, which included an exercise course, online FAM course, and 3 private sessions. I previously worked with a Justisse instructor, which was $400CAD for 3 private sessions. Before that, I worked with an instructor from The Well (Grace of the Moon at the time) for $150 for a 3-session group class and one private session, which was how I first learned to chart! I found both of these instructors through the AFAP website.
- Describe your daily charting routine.Charting for almost 5 years. I use a TempDrop for temperature, check for mucus at every bathroom stop, check cervix almost every day just before bed, and chart vulva sensation while going about my day. I love charting with a Symptothermal method because of all the knowledge it gives me about what’s happening in my body. It also encourages me to track other health subjects, which has helped me know what to say to my doctor. This is empowering both physically and emotionally! I find my sexual satisfaction to be much higher now that I can actually have unprotected intercourse.
- What made you choose this method?It is highly effective and got me away from hormonal birth control! I chose SymptoPro specifically because of how flexible the method is- it’s flexibility was what I wanted to be able to teach others!
- Has charting helped you to understand your overall health?Yes! I have charted through sickness, stress, traveling, surgeries, etc and I find charting helps me understand what is happening during stressful times and what is normal for me. Charting with this method led me to find menstrual cycle awareness, which has transformed how I operate relationally, professionally, socially, and personally to be more mindful.
