Anyone used natural cycles for contraception only?

[Olaf1000]

Hormonal forms really react badly with me and as does copper coil (as I’m anaemic and get heavy very painful periods anyway). Natural cycles sounds perfect and has a Pearl index same as the pill. I’ve heard a lot of people get pregnant with it though and heard it’s for people who’d prefer not to get pregnant but wouldn’t be a huge issue if they did.

Any personal experiences of using it with no pregnancies for a few years? In all likelihood, I’d probably would use condoms on the green days that are close to the red days to make it extra safe. Would you recommend also the pull-out method in affliction to decrease risk?

[Olaf1000]

Bump

[Scarby9]

I'm afraid 'Bump' may well be the result...

[Nikki360]

I know everyone says oh no that doesn't work but I've got pregnant three times planned and each time it was on the first month trying. I've always for the last 11 years used the withdrawal method. It's worked for us. Also used it when I was in my 20s and again never failed us. I think yes using your natural cycle and the withdrawal method can actually be better than people think. Also no hormones which is a bonus.

[murbblurb]

Withdrawal is not a contraceptive, did no one listen at school? The only way a phone is a contraceptive is if you hold it between your legs.

Use condoms and spermicide. Oh, and your body is full of hormones.

[LaBellina]

I used it as contraceptive method and the result is currently taking a nap in the room next to me. Friend of mine who is a doctor laughed when I told him about this and said if I were his daughter he’d have told me to never depend on this method. I use condoms these days.

[Candleabra]

No such thing as the pull out method. All of the 'methods' you've stated (apart from condoms) don't stop egg meeting sperm. So yes, used over time, highly likely to result in pregnancy.
Use barrier methods consistently if you can't use hormonal contraception.

[DinosaurOfFire]

We do this. We use NFP for contraception, and religiously avoid sex around fertile times. I track my cycle, use ovulation sticks to find out when I am ovulating and track cervical mucus changes too. It has worked very well with no mishaps. We have condoms for fertile times but usually just avoid those times instead.

[LizzieSiddal]

I used it for the same reason as you Op, for about 4 years. This was 20 years ago so only had a thermometer and some graph paper. It’s worked really well for us.

[toadstool32]

Used it for 6 years. I love it.

[Kloklo10]

Thanks for the answers everyone so far. Can people who used it successfully for years share some tips?

[Duckyneedsaclean]

If you want to use NFP (natural family planning) you're better off learning a proper method by an instructor. Or a book, as I did!

I've used nfp for two 4 year periods, and conceived the first cycle when I wanted to both times. I use sympo-thermal. No withdrawal or condoms, just awareness of fertility and a little self control.

Other methods are billings, marquette.

[Kloklo10]

Which book do you recommend?

[Kloklo10]

@Duckyneedsaclean ^

[Ohcrapbags]

Yes. But only when it meant falling pregnant wouldn't have been the end of the world. Fell pregnant when I wanted to (I know I'm lucky).

Used it for 11 years in between child one and two and seven years in between child 2 and 3 (big gaps were planned).

[Ohcrapbags]

Never again though as number 3 was the last. I mean, it worked for all those years. But, if I had fallen pregnant it would have been fine. It would not be fine now. So I wouldn't risk it.

[Duckyneedsaclean]

I read an old school book called 'The art of natural family planning'

[Sidge]

NFP can be a valid method of contraception but takes a lot of investment, time wise, and is best used for pregnancy spacing rather than pregnancy prevention.

It’s also best used where pregnancy wouldn’t be a disaster, and for younger women with regular cycles. Also for those with a good degree of self control, or happy to use condoms reliably, and who are comfortable with and have a good awareness of their bodies.

[SmokedDuck]

I used a charting method for about seven years. I would probably not just use one of the app type methods, I'd do some research and pick something a little more researched. I used Billings but there are some others. Different ones fit different circumstances. Usually it's recommended that you get actual training from a person qualified to do so - I was trained by a doctor who had studied at the Billings clinic.

Not everyone finds these methods easy though. You have to be able to pay attention to symptoms, if you are irregular due to something like menopause it can be harder to trust your own judgement, especially if you are just learning, and you have to actually follow the rules which means abstaining a certain times - often when you are most interested in NOT abstaining.

[SmokedDuck]

But I will say, learning to read my cycles has been very worthwhile overall and a bonus in terms of understanding a lot of female health issues.

[SmokedDuck]

@Candleabra

No such thing as the pull out method. All of the 'methods' you've stated (apart from condoms) don't stop egg meeting sperm. So yes, used over time, highly likely to result in pregnancy.
Use barrier methods consistently if you can't use hormonal contraception.

Withdrawal actually has similar stats to condoms.

Whether that is good for withdrawal or bad for condoms, is a matter of opinion I guess, but I find it interesting so many people seem dead set on the idea that these approaches are totally useless.

[Oatsamazing]

I used it for 3 months, then found out I was pregnant with my first baby at 40.

[NiceTwin]

I used Persona, which I guess is similar.
Only fell pregnant when I wanted to, no other time.
I used it all my fertile years.

[Neonprint]

I use cycle tracking and pull out method and haven't been pregnant accidentally or intentionally in 15 years.

[Smalldogbigdog]

Personally I've been using this method successfully for about 5 years. I don't use the natural cycles app, just a BBT thermometer and checking cervical fluid (I use the tracking app kindara, which is free), and we haven't had a single whoopsie in 5 years. Before that, I had 2 pill pregnancies and 1 IUD pregnancy, so I'm at least reasonably fertile.

We basically don't use protection up to and including day 13 of my cycle, and then use condoms until my temp has been high for 3 consecutive days, usually about 7-8 days after. Then no protection until day 14 of the next cycle. Has worked a charm and I really couldn't fault it. It took a few months of being extra careful to be able to see the pattern, and after that it was a breeze.

[Bohoboo]

Used withdrawal after DD2 and got pregnant second time. I realised the day after that I was getting ovulation symptoms so took Map but still pregnant. Take care...