Marquette Method Clinical Protocol

By RRM Academy Reviewed by Dr. Naomi Whittaker, MD, Board-Certified OBGYN, MIGS, NFPMC, FCI Updated May 14, 2026

The Marquette Method Clinical Protocol is a structured approach to fertility charting developed at the Marquette University Institute for Natural Family Planning, principally by Dr. Richard Fehring and colleagues beginning in the late 1990s. The protocol centers on the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor, a device that reads urinary levels of estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to identify the fertile window objectively. Optional cervical mucus observation is layered alongside the monitor readings, making it one of the earliest named sympto-hormonal methods in the fertility-awareness literature.¹²

Marquette defines rules for identifying the beginning and end of the fertile window based on the monitor's peak readings and mucus observations. These rules govern both achieving and avoiding pregnancy, and the Institute has published prospective effectiveness data across multiple clinical sites.²³ Because the monitor generates hormone data rather than relying on subjective sign interpretation alone, some clinicians find the method well-suited for women with limited mucus production or atypical cycle patterns.⁴⁵

In the context of restorative care, the Marquette protocol's urinary hormone readings can serve as one input for cycle-timed diagnostics. Clinicians trained in the method use chart data alongside clinical evaluation, much as NaProTechnology and FEMM practitioners use Creighton and FEMM charts respectively. The Marquette protocol is distinct from the broader Marquette Method as a named fertility awareness-based method: the protocol refers specifically to the clinical application rules for charting and cycle interpretation, while the method encompasses instructor training, program infrastructure, and client education frameworks.

Couples using the Marquette protocol work with a trained Marquette instructor or clinician for both charting support and clinical interpretation. Cross-method use is documented: some practitioners integrate Marquette monitor data with mucus pattern scoring from other systems, particularly when a single data source is insufficient for confident peak-day identification.⁴

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.