The Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning has used the Clearblue Fertility monitor for many years, and this method is based on scientific research that is published in reputable peer-reviewed medical journals. The Mira monitor is a recent advancement, allowing urinary hormone testing at home to assist with natural family planning. Compared to the Clearblue monitor, the Mira monitor offers testing of additional urinary hormone markers since it can E3G (urinary metabolites of estrogen), LH, PdG (urinary metabolites of progesterone), and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). It also offers a user-friendly smartphone interface and provider dashboard that automatically charts your hormone levels. 

The Marquette Method has evidence-based and established protocols using mucus observations and/or the Clearblue Fertility Monitor. The healthcare and research behind the development of the Marquette Method protocols, however, gives us room to learn more. A limited amount of research gives good evidence for use of the Mira Analyzer as a tool to support couples using Natural Family Planning.  

Fertility awareness-based methods of family planning, also known as natural family planning, allow couples to plan their family without using artificial barriers or hormones. These methods involve tracking biomarkers such as cervical mucus, temperature, or hormonal testing to determine the fertile and infertile times during the menstrual cycle. Additionally, they can be used to diagnose menstrual abnormalities. Unlike other family planning methods, fertility awareness-based methods have no medication side effects and are entirely natural.

Methods of NFP can be used effectively to achieve or postpone pregnancy since women can use it to determine their unique fertile window during the menstrual cycles using natural biomarkers such as temperature, cervical mucus changes, and urinary hormone metabolites. 

At present, MyCatholicDoctor feels there is not sufficient data to support the use of the Mira monitor to avoid pregnancy using Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness. The Mira company has created protocols to use Mira to avoid pregnancy. Still, these protocols are based on research done by the Mira organization itself, and this research is not published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. But, the good news is that high-quality academic research on the Mira monitor is underway, largely through the Marquette organization.  In one study comparing the Mira monitor and Clearblue fertility monitor, the Mira monitor can correctly delineate the fertile window (Bouchard, Fehring & Mu, 2021). 

We recommend you speak with your MyCatholicDoctor clinician about the Mira monitor to determine if it is a good option for you. 

The effectiveness of NFP methods to postpone pregnancy is based on the accurate detection of the beginning and end of the fertile window in a woman’s menstrual cycle. To avoid a pregnancy, couples choose to abstain during the identified fertile window. Hormone monitoring with technology such as Mira can aid in the detection of the fertile window, especially in women who are breastfeeding, have irregular menstrual cycles, or have hormone imbalances such as PCOS. Mira is also helpful for women approaching menopause.

The data you record when charting your cycles can also be used in the diagnosis of problems such as anovulatory cycles, polycystic ovarian syndrome and other medical concerns. It provides you with important information for you to share with your healthcare provider.

The Catholic Church teaches that couples using natural family planning are called to prayerful discernment and responsible parenthood. Fertility is considered a beautiful gift from God, and the decision to postpone pregnancy using natural methods should be made due to “grave reasons”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not define “grave reason.” If you have questions about your personal situation, we encourage you to speak with your parish priest or a spiritual director.

*A Note about Ethics:

We are aware that Mira as a company has shown support for sexual ideas and behaviors that are not consistent with Roman Catholic teaching. At MyCatholicDoctor, our goal is to help our patients grow in both health and holiness. We always support the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. We only recommend the use of the Mira monitor for use in Natural Family Planning/fertility awareness, preserving the natural fertility of the man and woman. 

What is the difference between the Clearblue Fertility Monitor and the Mira monitor?

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor tracks estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) to provide three levels of fertility: low, high, or peak based on threshold levels of fertility hormones. The Mira monitor measures quantitative amounts of these hormones and provides a number value per measurement, and displays this number in a graph on the Mira app on your cell phone. The Mira monitor can measure estrogen, LH, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

Which Mira starter kit should I buy?

It is best if you meet with your instructor before you purchase your Mira device and wands. If this is not possible, we recommend starting with the Mira basic starter kit. If you have a history of low progesterone, it is best to start with the Mira Max starter kit. 

Which is cheaper, Mira or Clearblue?

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor is approximately $120 new, although used options are available for less online. The Mira monitor is $160-180 new, but can be purchased as part of a starter kit that also includes the testing sticks (Mira calls these “wands.”)

How much does the Mira monitor wands cost compared to the Clearblue Fertility Monitor test strips?

Mira wands prices vary from $3.25-$4.45/each depending on the specific type of wands needed. Clearblue fertility test strips cost approximately $1.50/each. You may use the discount code MYCATHOLICDOCTOR to receive a 15% discount on Mira products. 

References:

Bouchard, T. P., Fehring, R. J., & Mu, Q. (2021). Quantitative versus qualitative estrogen and luteinizing hormone testing for personal fertility monitoring. Expert review of molecular diagnostics, 21(12), 1349–1360. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2021.2000393

World Health O. Natural family planning : a guide to provision of services. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1988.
Vigil P, Ceric F, Cortés ME, Klaus H. Usefulness of Monitoring Fertility from Menarche. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 2006;19(3):173-9.
Vigil P, Blackwell LF, Cortés ME. The importance of fertility awareness in the assessment of a woman’s health: A review. Linacre Quarterly. 2012;79(4):426-50.