The Justisse Method of Fertility Awareness is a holistic method developed in 1987 by Geraldine Matus. Over the years, Justisse evolved into Justisse College International, a non-profit corporation dedicated to training Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioners and Certified Fertility Awareness Educators.
Biomarkers Tracked
The Justisse Method is a secular, standardized system that can be approached in two ways:
- SymptoThermal: Observing a woman’s own biological signs (or biomarkers) to identify their fertile window. The sympto-thermal approach to the Justisse Method would include tracking a woman’s cervical mucus levels and Basal Body Temperature (BBT). BBT is a woman’s body temperature when she is at rest.
- Cervical Mucus-Only
Both methods have the optional biomarker of tracking cervical position as well.
How does the Justisse Method work?
The Justisse Method teaches women how to observe the scientifically verified signs of fertility and infertility in real-time, as well as understand the significance of deviations from their normal.
The method is best learned from a Justisse Practitioner. Working with trained practitioners enables women to ask any questions they need to follow the method correctly. They’ll also receive personalized support when experiencing changes in the menstrual cycle or challenges with fertility.
Cervical mucus observations are made daily (before/after the bathroom, before bathing, before bed) and notations are used to indicate what type of mucus was seen and how often it was seen. BBT can be charted in Fahrenheit or Celsius, and then a colored stamp is used to indicate fertile days and infertile days. You can use paper charts or a template in the “Read Your Body” app to record observations.
Benefits of the Justisse Method
Efficacy: An estimated perfect-use efficacy rate for preventing unwanted pregnancy is between 97.6 and 99.6% for the symptothermal version and between 96.6 and 98.9% for the cervical mucus-only version. Of course, motivation, consistency, partner support, and behavior are all factors in effectiveness. For couples trying to conceive, data suggests that those with normal fertility are likely to achieve pregnancy within 4-5 cycles of charting.
Good for irregular cases: One of the biggest benefits of the Justisse Method is that you can chart at any stage of life, including when you’re postpartum, post-birth control, in perimenopause, or if you have irregular cycles.
Holistic Support: When you learn with a Justisse Practitioner you get holistic support for managing and enhancing sexual and reproductive health. You also have the flexibility to switch between symptothermal and cervical mucus-only at any time if your lifestyle or needs change.
Disadvantages of the Justisse Method
Higher Cost: While you can purchase the user guide and charting materials on your own, this is a method best learned from a practitioner. Therefore, the cost of learning the method should be taken into consideration.
Learning Curve: Daily commitment to learning the method is required, for a minimum of three cycles.
Considerations & Support
Certified instructors can be found on the Justisse College website and most offer virtual instruction (individual and/or group). Most users will be able to identify their Basic Infertile Pattern and develop a solid understanding of the method within 3 cycles of charting.
The Justisse Method is ideal for anyone who is looking to achieve true body
literacy, as practitioners are trained to help people make fully informed reproductive health choices without prejudice. This includes but is not exclusive to, respecting ethnic and cultural diversity as well as ideological and religious beliefs.
A woman must be committed to using the method correctly, which includes daily observations and charting. This method is also wonderful for women who are struggling with painful, heavy or irregular cycles, as the instructors are trained to support reproductive health holistically.
Who is the Justisse Method Best For?
The Justisse Method is a great option for women with special circumstances. This includes those with irregular cycles, postpartum, post-birth control or perimenopause.
Justisse Method in a Nutshell
- Biomarkers Tracked: Cervical mucus, BBT (optional), cervix position (optional)
- Effectiveness: High. For the symptothermal approach, 97.6-99.6% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy. For a mucus-only approach, 96.6-98.9% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy. For couples that are trying to conceive, data suggests that those with normal fertility are likely to achieve pregnancy within 4-5 cycles of charting
- Learning Curve: Typically takes around 3 cycles to master the method and determine the body’s Basic Infertile Pattern (BIP).
- Ideal For: Anyone and everyone! This includes those with irregular cycles, postpartum, post-birth control, or perimenopause.
- Where to Learn More: The official Justisse method website at https://justisse.ca/
Meet Someone That Knows the Method - Carly Hartwig
Carly Hartwig is a Certified Fertility Awareness Educator and a Holistic
Reproductive Health Practitioner. She became passionate about Fertility Awareness
Methods (FAM) after coming off of hormonal birth control and discovering the power of her own body. She teaches women how to chart their cycles with the Justisse Method so they can achieve pain-free periods and body literacy. She’s a mom to a wonderful little girl and cannot wait to teach her about her own amazing body one day! You can check out her current individual and group instruction offers at her website.