The Justisse Method

 

The Justisse method is taught as a symptothermal fertility awareness method that puts emphasis on mucus. The method uses single check (cervical mucus) to open the fertile window and double check to close the fertile window (cervical mucus + BBT). Cervical changes can be used as an additional biomarker to both open and close the fertile window. There are also guidelines for those who wish to chart mucus only.

The method allows the fertile window to be opened and closed more than once during one cycle so might avoid extended times of assumed fertility for those with very long or irregular cycles.

There are no effectiveness studies done on the Justisse method specifically but the method is based on other evidence-based methods and its estimated birth birth control effectiveness rate for perfect use is between 97 and 99 %. The effectiveness is expected to be in the higher range when the method is used as a symptothermal method and somewhat lower when the mucus only guidelines are used. Typical user rates are not available but as always, will be lower than the perfect use rate, most likely ranging between 89 and 98 %. No population level estimated rates are available.

The method is designed to help the users monitor their reproductive health through standarised and detailed cervical mucus observations and codes. The training to become a Justisse Practitioner (Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner or HRHP), is a two year training. The practitioners are not only taught to teach the Justisse method but also to help clients monitor, recognize and address reproductive health issues within a holistic health framework. HRHPs receive basic training in historical and socio-cultural aspects of reproduction, human sexuality, contraceptive counselling and natural and integrative medicine.

Justisse is a secular fertility awareness method developed in the 1980s by Canadian midwife Geraldine Matus within a feminist framework that puts emphasis on body literacy and female empowerment. Its instructors are trained to support clients wishing to combine the method with other non-hormonal birth control methods such as barriers.

References:

  • Bhargava H, Bhatia JC, Ramachandran L, Rohatgi P, Sinha A (1996). Field trial of billings ovulation method of natural family planning. Contraception 53: 69–74. DOI: 10.1016/0010-7824(95)00269-3. 
  • Hilgers TW, and Stanford JB (1998) The Use-Effectiveness to Avoid Pregnancy of the Creighton Model NaProEducation Technology: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Trials. Journal of Reproductive Medicine 43:495-502. PMID: 9653695 
  • Rice FJ, Lanctot CA & Garcia-Devesa C (1981). Effectiveness of the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning: an international study. International Journal of Fertility, 26(3), 222–230.
  • Trussell J (2011). Contraceptive efficacy. In: Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Nelson AL, Cates W, Kowal D, Policar M (Eds.). Contraceptive technology. 20a ed. rev. Ardent Media; p. 779-863.
  • World Health Organization (1981). A prospective multicentre trial of the ovulation method of natural family planning: II: the effectiveness phase. Fertility and Sterility 36(5):591-8. DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)45856-5

 

 

English (UK)
English (UK)