Spoiler alert: I don’t have all the answers & I’m still very much in the “discovery” phase of understanding the beauty and intricacy of our bodies and fertility. What I can share is that as a newlywed who has been using the Creighton Model for a few years now, I continue to be in awe of my body and feel empowered by the knowledge and understanding I’ve gained thanks to the science found in fertility awareness based methods.Â
A little bit about my journey thus far…
Over the past eight years, my cycles have become increasingly more painful. There have been many days I haven’t been able to get out of bed and have barely been able to down a few ibuprofen to help alleviate the pain. Initially, I thought this was “normal” and I was just on the harsher spectrum of “normal.” But after the pain continued to interrupt my day to day, I sought answers at an OB/GYN in Baltimore. After a few visits, everything appeared to be fine and my doctor suggested maybe I eat more bananas and then asked if I would be comfortable taking birth control to help manage my symptoms. This was extremely discouraging, especially coming from a Catholic OB. Taking the pill was not an option for me, and I knew it wouldn’t solve the problem, but instead just put a band aid over it. I was determined to find the root cause and find an actual remedy for the abnormal cycles I was experiencing.
Being raised in a Catholic family and having studied Marriage and Family Studies & Theology at a Catholic university, I was obviously familiar with Natural Family Planning (NFP), but I didn’t know too many people who were charting prior to marriage. I thought it was just something you “do” to either avoid or achieve a pregnancy. As a young, single woman, I hadn’t thought I would start using NFP until I was married… but when no one could give me answers, I decided to schedule my first appointment. Funnily enough, I scheduled my first introductory session with my Creighton practitioner the same month I went on my first date with my now husband, Bret. Almost three years later and my only regret is not beginning to learn about and understand my body sooner. I wish I had known about the efficacy of Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABMs) when I was younger – and known that it was so much more than avoiding or achieving a pregnancy.Â
I wish I had known about the efficacy of Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABMs) when I was younger – and known that it was so much more than avoiding or achieving a pregnancy.
Catherine Boizelle
When Bret and I got engaged in 2019, Bret started attending my meetings with my Creighton practitioner. It was important to me that he was a part of what would soon be our fertility journey – and he learned so much along the way. I know it might not be the hottest date night discussion, but I encourage every woman out there to bring your fiancé or spouse into this journey alongside you. It has without a doubt brought us closer together and subsequently made me feel seen, heard and supported. I know Bret would agree that through NFP, he has become more attuned to my body and it has enabled us to be more intentional in our intimacy.
About four months prior to our wedding and I still hadn’t found a solution for the pain I was experiencing during the first few days of my cycle. On top of that, I started noticing some abnormalities towards the end of my cycle in my charting. I was able to have some blood tests done and understand my progesterone levels were a little out of whack, so I started a progesterone supplement. On the other hand, after numerous blood tests and transvaginal and pelvic ultrasounds, nothing was diagnosed or seemed to be helping the pain I was experiencing.
I continued to chart and scheduled an appointment with a reputable family physician who specializes in family planning and fertility care in Alexandria. During my first visit with her, after sharing the long list of supplements I had tried, as well as describing how debilitating my cycle tends to be, she diagnosed me with dysmenorrhea, likely caused by endometriosis. She recommended I begin a gluten free and anti-inflammatory diet as much as possible. And, after reviewing my blood tests, instead of treating just my progesterone levels, she wanted to treat both my estradiol and progesterone levels and prescribed HCG injections during my luteal phase. I was thankful for someone who was finally listening and treating me holistically.
In my scheduled follow up appointment with her a few months later, it was fascinating to look at the change in my charting since maintaining a gluten-free diet. I could see the effects it was having on my hormones and my cycle. Not to mention, the pain had lessened significantly. The HCG injections have increased my progesterone levels and my hypothyroidism is stabilized.
While my husband and I have been married for just over four months and haven’t yet conceived, we are hopeful and find peace knowing this is an ongoing journey, and ultimately God is in the driver’s seat. Looking back, we’ve learned so much in just the past two years. We are so grateful for the science found in FABMs and the empowerment it gives to women and married couples alike. I can see clearly now that if I had agreed to taking the pill, it would have simply masked all of my symptoms and I would not have been able to discover my hormonal imbalances, gluten intolerance, or dysmenorrhea. The pill is never the answer or the remedy to women’s fertility.Â
My advice to anyone just starting out on their fertility journey? In the words of Saint John Paul II, “Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity.” Learning and understanding more about your body takes time. Be patient with yourself and have peace and confidence in our Maker. Only 3% of women worldwide can recognize normal or abnormal signs of reproductive health & identify ovulation? Let’s change this, ladies!
