I use Natural Cycles very successfully - ask me anything

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

From what I read on social media, it seems there's still a lot of controversy surrounding Natural Cycles and before I signed up I wanted to talk to someone who used it but didn't know anyone.

I'm not a gynaecologist but can at least answer questions on my personal experience with it if that's helpful to anyone...

And purely for transparency - I do have a referral code that gets you a free thermometer and possibly a discount on the yearly subscription (I think, please don't hold me to that), I get a little achievement so there's no monetary gain in it for me whatsoever. Basically I don't work for them and I get nothing of any value so it's purely to help anyone that may be thinking about.

[AgathaRaisonDetra]

Are natural cycles made out of bamboo? What are the tyres made of? Can you get an electric natural cycle? Do you get natural cycle helmets?

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

😂😂 fair play I wasn't very clear was I?

For future readers, I'm talking about Natural Cycles the contraceptive app.

[MonumentVal]

What are the advantages of this app over say Clue? Apart from a free thermometer.

[IsTheRainEverComingBack]

I also use it very happily. Though my temperature fluctuates more than is normal apparently, which makes it more cautious

[Aridane]

Did you read the article on it in this Saturday’s Guardian magazine?

[TheCatFromOuterSpace]

What's the advantage of the app over charting with a pen and paper (which I currently do)?

[argumentativefeminist]

What makes you so sure you won't get pregnant? Why would you use this over another form of contraception, esp. condoms which are also nonhormonal?

[PuntCuffin]

How long have you been using it for? I assume you are in a long term relationship, but how often do you actually have sex? How would you feel if you did fall pregnant?

I used Persona for contraception. I have two children as a result of its inability to assess when I was fertile. No way would I be trusting something based on my temperature.

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

Monumental

I've never used Clue so I don't know exactly how it works but I don't think it uses temperature does it? Also the fact that in some European countries Natural Cycles is recognised as a certified contraceptive where no other app is swung it for me

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

IsTheRainEverComingBack

I came off the pill to use it and it was a few months until my temperature settled down and stopped fluctuating massively so I just assumed it was down the pill maybe?

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

Aridane

No I haven't, I'll go and look it up now

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

TheCatFromOuterSpace

I suppose it's no different except that it might maybe pick up fluctuations better than I could? I like that the hassle's taken out of it for me, you just input your temperature and it's done. Also the predictions for future cycles, granted these could change but I couldn' be doing with working out when my period was going to be in 3 months time

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

*argumentativefeminist
*
We use condoms on red/fertile days but honestly we both prefer sex without them so it's nice that 70% of the time we don't have to worry about them.

[mooncuplanding]

Isn't it fucking annoying that the time you most want to have sex (when you are most fertile) that you can't / have to use contraception anyway?

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

PuntCuffin

I'm on my 9th cycle with it now. Yes in a long term relationship. And honestly I would be ok with falling pregnant - it wouldn't be ideal but also not the worst thing in the world. I think that's the best situation to be to be using it. If a pregnancy would be devastating then I'd probably use condoms every single time we had sex whether I was fertile or not.

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

PuntCuffin

Also meant to say, I use ovulation tests in the run up to when I'm supposed to ovulate and input that data too just as a backup I suppose.

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

*mooncuplanding
*
Not really! It's only a few days out of the month really.

[mooncuplanding]

Yeah but they are the best days!!

[swanlife]

How long did it take to get 70% green days. I've been using it since March and only recently got green days that weren't on my period? I only went off contraception in March

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

Aridane

I've just read the article and even as someone who uses the app, I completely agree with what the writer is saying. However, every form of hormonal contraception has it's flaws. I think there are someone like 800,000 users of Natural Cycles now and the reported unexpected pregnancies still come to less than 1% (I looked at some stats a while ago and that was what I worked out, don't quote me on it). I believe it's like every contraception it's not one size fits all. It will be a great solution for some women but others will struggle with it. For me, it works so far. I'm 9 months in, no pregnancy and not finding any faults with it.

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

swanlife

It's only been the last few cycles so 6-7 months for me.

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

mooncuplanding

I suppose that's where the fact that every woman's cycle is different. I massively lost my libido when I was on the pill, which was one of the reasons I wanted to go hormone free, and since coming off it it's definitely improved but the days I want sex most aren't necessarily red days. It really varies.

[mooncuplanding]

The copper coil is hormone free - why take the risk and have the faff?

[StandardsHighSquatsLow]

mooncuplanding

I'm a massive wuss and definitely couldn't cope with having a coil. I honestly wasn't sure how I'd get on with NC but my partner and I agreed to try it for a year and if it was too much hassle then we'd look at other contraceptive options but honestly it's been so easy. Yes I suppose there's a risk but as I said on another post, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I got pregnant so for us it's a good fit.

[MyDcAreMarvel]

The copper coil still causes a hormone reaction.