Paul, B. J., McCabe, J., & Jeske, R. D. (2022). In couples with infertility, is natural procreative technology successful in achieving live birth? Evidence-Based Practice, 25(1), 25-26. https://doi.org/10.1097/ebp.0000000000001374
Paul BJ, McCabe J, Jeske RD. In couples with infertility, is natural procreative technology successful in achieving live birth? EBPR. 2022;25(1):25-26. doi:10.1097/ebp.0000000000001374
Paul, Benjamin J., et al. "In couples with infertility, is natural procreative technology successful in achieving live birth?" Evidence-Based Practice, vol. 25, no. 1, 2022, pp. 25-26.
Live births followed NaProTechnology in two infertility series
A HelpDesk Answer by three family physicians, summarizing two case series, reports that about 5 out of 10 couples in the Irish series had a live birth within 24 months of NaProTechnology care, by life-table analysis. The Canadian series of 108 couples also reported live births. The authors grade the evidence strength of recommendation C.
Key Findings
The 2008 Irish case series followed 1,072 couples. Counting all participants, 26% had a live birth within 24 months of starting natural procreative technology treatment.
Life-table analysis in the Irish series, which excludes couples who withdrew or were still in treatment at the end of the study, gave a live birth rate of 53%.
In the Irish series, 5% of couples conceived using Creighton Model FertilityCare System tracking and timed intercourse alone. Surgical treatments were not used.
The 2012 Canadian retrospective case series followed 108 infertile couples. The crude live birth rate was 38% at 24 months.
The authors rate the answer SOR C, based on consistent results from 2 case series, and call comparison with other infertility treatments problematic.
Interpretation
The article summarizes two case series. A case series follows couples who received a treatment and reports what happened. Both series enrolled couples who had been trying to conceive for years. The Irish women averaged 36 years and 5.6 years of trying to conceive, and 33% had already received ART. The Canadian women averaged 35 years and 3.2 years. Crude rates count every couple. Life-table rates leave out couples who withdrew or were still in treatment. The authors note that infertility treatments and outcome data vary widely.
RRM Context
NaProTechnology teaches couples to chart the cycle and builds care around that chart. Both series taught the Creighton Model FertilityCare System. The Irish series also gave male partners standard care for male infertility, so the couple was the unit of care. Both series enrolled couples who had received other infertility treatment before starting.
Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.
NaProTechnology diagnoses and treats the underlying conditions driving infertility, menstrual disorders, and early pregnancy loss. This guide covers how the method works, published outcomes data, how to find a qualified provider, and what to expect on cost and insurance.
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