Creighton Model
Encyclopedia
The Creighton Model FertilityCare System (Creighton Model, FertilityCare, CrMS) is a form of natural family planning
which involves identifying the fertile
period during a woman's menstrual cycle
. The Creighton Model was developed by Dr Thomas Hilgers, the founder and director of the Pope Paul VI Institute. This model, like the Billings ovulation method
, is based on observations of cervical mucus to track fertility.
(the term for methods of family planning approved by the Roman Catholic church
). In 1985, Hilgers created the Pope Paul VI Institute to medically support the directives given by Pope Paul VI
in Humanae Vitae
: On the Regulation of Birth.
In 1991, Hilgers self-published a manual titled The Medical Applications Of Natural Family Planning: A Physician’s Guide to NaProTECHNOLOGY through his Pope Paul VI Institute Press. NaProTechnology is described as Natural Procreative Technology. In 2001, the AANFP was renamed the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals, to reflect the relabeling of the Creighton Model as FertilityCare. In 2004, Hilgers self-published a reference manual titled The Medical and Surgical Practice of NaProTECHNOLOGY. Hilgers refers to the Creighton Model FertilityCare System as "the foundational family planning
system to NaProTechnology".
Hilgers describes the Creighton Model as being based on "a standardized modification of the Billings ovulation method
", which was developed by John and Evelyn Billings
in the 1960s. The Billingses issued a paper refuting the claim that the CrMS represents a standardization of the BOM. They are two different methods and should not be seen as interchangeable.
and infertility
. These biological signs include cervical mucus and bleeding patterns, and can be observed and analysed in all types of menstrual cycle
s. These signs are charted daily to give a picture of the woman's individual cycle.
Doctors can use the fertility charts which couples are taught to keep as the basis for further investigations if needed.
Blood tests for Oestrogen
levels prior to ovulation
and for both Progesterone
and Oestrogen levels after ovulation, ultrasound
follicular
tracking, and other diagnostic procedures, can be accurately timed according to the woman's cycle, using the data recorded on a couple's fertility chart. This allows doctors to make a more precise diagnosis of abnormalities, e.g. subtle hormonal deficiencies, various ovulation defects etc.
or natural family planning
, the CrMS may be used to avoid pregnancy, or to increase chances of conception depending on the couple's intentions. The CrMS is used in conjunction with NaProTechnology (Natural Procreative Technology), which aims to restore fertility
naturally, by identifying and then correcting the underlying causes of the couples' infertility.
, can be assessed two ways. Perfect use or method effectiveness rates only include people who follow all observational rules, correctly identify the fertile phase, and refrain from unprotected intercourse on days identified as fertile. Actual use, or typical use effectiveness rates are of all women intending to avoid pregnancy by using CrMS, including those who fail to meet the "perfect use" criteria.
The Pope Paul VI Institute reports a perfect-use effectiveness rate of 99.5% in the first year. In clinical studies of the CrMS conducted at the Pope Paul VI Institute, researchers excluded most pregnancies from the typical-use rate calculation, on the grounds that they believed the affected couples had used the method to deliberately attempt pregnancy. The Institute reports a typical-use effectiveness of 96.8% in the first year. Most studies of similar systems do not exclude such pregnancies from the typical-use failure rate.
Natural family planning
Natural family planning is a term referring to the family planning methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. In accordance with the Church's requirements for sexual behavior in keeping with its philosophy of the dignity of the human person, NFP excludes the use of other methods of birth...
which involves identifying the fertile
Fertile
The term fertile describes a condition whereby organisms are able to produce physically healthy offspring.Fertile may also refer to:...
period during a woman's menstrual cycle
Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the scientific term for the physiological changes that can occur in fertile women for the purpose of sexual reproduction. This article focuses on the human menstrual cycle....
. The Creighton Model was developed by Dr Thomas Hilgers, the founder and director of the Pope Paul VI Institute. This model, like the Billings ovulation method
Billings ovulation method
The Billings Ovulation Method is a method which women use to monitor their fertility, by identifying when they are fertile and when they are infertile during each menstrual cycle. Users pay attention to the sensation at their vulva, and the appearance of any vaginal discharge...
, is based on observations of cervical mucus to track fertility.
History
Dr Thomas Hilgers began research in 1976 which led to the development of the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, which was first fully described (as the Creighton Model) in 1980. In 1981, the American Academy of Natural Family Planning was founded to promote use of the Creighton Model as a form of natural family planningNatural family planning
Natural family planning is a term referring to the family planning methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. In accordance with the Church's requirements for sexual behavior in keeping with its philosophy of the dignity of the human person, NFP excludes the use of other methods of birth...
(the term for methods of family planning approved by the Roman Catholic church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
). In 1985, Hilgers created the Pope Paul VI Institute to medically support the directives given by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
in Humanae Vitae
Humanae Vitae
Humanae Vitae is an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI and issued on 25 July 1968. Subtitled On the Regulation of Birth, it re-affirms the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church regarding married love, responsible parenthood, and the continuing proscription of most forms of birth...
: On the Regulation of Birth.
In 1991, Hilgers self-published a manual titled The Medical Applications Of Natural Family Planning: A Physician’s Guide to NaProTECHNOLOGY through his Pope Paul VI Institute Press. NaProTechnology is described as Natural Procreative Technology. In 2001, the AANFP was renamed the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals, to reflect the relabeling of the Creighton Model as FertilityCare. In 2004, Hilgers self-published a reference manual titled The Medical and Surgical Practice of NaProTECHNOLOGY. Hilgers refers to the Creighton Model FertilityCare System as "the foundational family planning
Family planning
Family planning is the planning of when to have children, and the use of birth control and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counseling and...
system to NaProTechnology".
Hilgers describes the Creighton Model as being based on "a standardized modification of the Billings ovulation method
Billings ovulation method
The Billings Ovulation Method is a method which women use to monitor their fertility, by identifying when they are fertile and when they are infertile during each menstrual cycle. Users pay attention to the sensation at their vulva, and the appearance of any vaginal discharge...
", which was developed by John and Evelyn Billings
John Billings
John Billings, was an Australian physician who pioneered the natural method of family planning known variously as the Billings Ovulation Method, the Ovulation Method, or the Billings Method....
in the 1960s. The Billingses issued a paper refuting the claim that the CrMS represents a standardization of the BOM. They are two different methods and should not be seen as interchangeable.
Overview
The CrMS teaches women to observe certain biological signs to monitor their own gynaecological health, and to identify times of fertilityFertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
and infertility
Infertility
Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...
. These biological signs include cervical mucus and bleeding patterns, and can be observed and analysed in all types of menstrual cycle
Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the scientific term for the physiological changes that can occur in fertile women for the purpose of sexual reproduction. This article focuses on the human menstrual cycle....
s. These signs are charted daily to give a picture of the woman's individual cycle.
Doctors can use the fertility charts which couples are taught to keep as the basis for further investigations if needed.
Blood tests for Oestrogen
Estrogen
Estrogens , oestrogens , or œstrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal...
levels prior to ovulation
Ovulation
Ovulation is the process in a female's menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum . Ovulation also occurs in the estrous cycle of other female mammals, which differs in many fundamental ways from the menstrual cycle...
and for both Progesterone
Progesterone
Progesterone also known as P4 is a C-21 steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis of humans and other species...
and Oestrogen levels after ovulation, ultrasound
Medical ultrasonography
Diagnostic sonography is an ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used for visualizing subcutaneous body structures including tendons, muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs for possible pathology or lesions...
follicular
Ovarian follicle
Ovarian follicles are the basic units of female reproductive biology, each of which is composed of roughly spherical aggregations of cells found in the ovary. They contain a single oocyte . These structures are periodically initiated to grow and develop, culminating in ovulation of usually a single...
tracking, and other diagnostic procedures, can be accurately timed according to the woman's cycle, using the data recorded on a couple's fertility chart. This allows doctors to make a more precise diagnosis of abnormalities, e.g. subtle hormonal deficiencies, various ovulation defects etc.
Uses
As a form of fertility awarenessFertility awareness
Fertility awareness refers to a set of practices used to determine the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. Fertility awareness methods may be used to avoid pregnancy, to achieve pregnancy, or as a way to monitor gynecological health....
or natural family planning
Natural family planning
Natural family planning is a term referring to the family planning methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. In accordance with the Church's requirements for sexual behavior in keeping with its philosophy of the dignity of the human person, NFP excludes the use of other methods of birth...
, the CrMS may be used to avoid pregnancy, or to increase chances of conception depending on the couple's intentions. The CrMS is used in conjunction with NaProTechnology (Natural Procreative Technology), which aims to restore fertility
Fertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
naturally, by identifying and then correcting the underlying causes of the couples' infertility.
Effectiveness in avoiding pregnancy
The effectiveness of the CrMS, as of most forms of birth controlBirth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
, can be assessed two ways. Perfect use or method effectiveness rates only include people who follow all observational rules, correctly identify the fertile phase, and refrain from unprotected intercourse on days identified as fertile. Actual use, or typical use effectiveness rates are of all women intending to avoid pregnancy by using CrMS, including those who fail to meet the "perfect use" criteria.
The Pope Paul VI Institute reports a perfect-use effectiveness rate of 99.5% in the first year. In clinical studies of the CrMS conducted at the Pope Paul VI Institute, researchers excluded most pregnancies from the typical-use rate calculation, on the grounds that they believed the affected couples had used the method to deliberately attempt pregnancy. The Institute reports a typical-use effectiveness of 96.8% in the first year. Most studies of similar systems do not exclude such pregnancies from the typical-use failure rate.
Treatment
- Use of natural hormones and other medications to correct any hormonal disturbances or ovulation abnormality.
- Use of medications if necessary to correct any other abnormalities e.g. cervical mucus deficiency, biochemical or haematological deficiencies, endocrine (glandular) deficiencies etc. to restore normal physiologic function, and thereby enhance fertility.
- Referral to a gynaecologist if there are physical abnormailities needing surgery, for example
- blocked fallopian tubes
- endometriosisEndometriosisEndometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...
- adhesions