The Creighton Model Fertility Care System and NaProTECHNOLOGY

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Creighton Model Fertility Care System (CrMS)?

The CrMS is a standardized system of observations and charting that allows a woman or couple to have a complete knowledge of their fertility. The CrMS can be used for family planning purposes, but also aids in the diagnosis and treatment of various gynecological and reproductive conditions.



Is the CrMS for me?

I believe that any woman of child-bearing age can benefit from learning how to chart her cycle. However, the CrMS is particularly helpful for women with additional gynecological or reproductive concerns such as PMS, painful periods, irregular cycles, infertility, miscarriages, and hormonal imbalances.



How effective is the CrMS?

One of the things that I love about the CrMS is that it is backed by evidence. Research has shown the CrMS to be 96.8% effective for avoiding pregnancy in couples of normal fertility (1), and it can also be used to achieve pregnancy. In couples with infertility, the CrMS can be used in conjunction with NaPro Technology to achieve pregnancy at rates comparable to artificial reproductive technologies (2), but without all of the side effects. (1) Hilgers TW, Stanford JB. Creighton Model NaProEducation Technology for avoiding pregnancy: use effectiveness. J Reprod Med. 1998 Jun;43(6):495-502. (2) Tham E, Schliep K, Stanford J. Natural procreative technology for infertility and recurrent miscarriage: outcomes in a Canadian family practice. Can Fam Physician. 2012 May;58(5):e267-74.



What is NaProTECHNOLOGY (NPT)?

NaProTECHNOLOGY (NPT) is short for Natural Procreative Technology. NPT is an approach to women's health that is aimed at restoring and cooperating with the natural cycle rather than suppressing it. NPT involves charting the CrMS and timing evaluations and treatments with the cycle in order to optimize a woman's health. Some common NPT treatments include diet and lifestyle changes, supplementation with various vitamins and nutrients, and bioidentical hormone therapy.



What conditions can be treated with NPT?

NPT is able to address many conditions. Some of the more common ones include: -PMS (e.g. breast tenderness, irritability, cravings, or fatigue for a few days before your period) -painful periods -irregular cycles and polycyctic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) -cyclical headaches, acne -infertility -miscarriage -postpartum depression



In my final year of naturopathic studies, I completed an additional program in order to be able to teach my patients how to chart their cycles and to use the charting to more effectively diagnose and treat women's conditions. This charting system is known as the Creighton Model Fertility Care System (CrMS), and the associated medical applications are known as NaProTECHNOLOGY (NPT).

Mark your calendar

 

Register here for a complementary Introductory Session on the basics of charting your cycle.

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Thursday, September 26th at 7pm

Lavallee Health Centre