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AIBU?

To try the Natural Cycle App as contraceptive?

64 replies

PandaEyes25 · 27/02/2017 16:06

I've been taking the pill for about 6 and a half year. I've had to keep changing what pills I've been on due to several nasty side effects- the worst being Cervial Erosion which I've had to have cauterised twice. I've put on 3 stone (probably also due to me being a bit of a fat git aswell!) and completely lost my libido with this new one I'm on.
I'm tired of trying new ones and of pumping my body full of crap.
I've seen the Natural Cycle App advertised and I'm really tempted.
So basically, you track your cycle through taking basal temperatures and it lets you know when is safe to have unprotected sex and when it's not. (I'd like to point out I've been with my OH for 7 years and STI protection is not needed)
It also says it's clinically proven and is just as effective as the pill but without the side effects. This seems perfect! The only thing that's putting me off is the fact I don't want to depend on an app for potentially bringing a child into the world if it doesn't work!
Has anyone tried it? What do you think? Would you try it or am I being too naive?

OP posts:

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CharlieDimmocksbosoms · 27/02/2017 16:29

Thinking about the fact that sperm can live inside you for several days does it account for that? Also temperatures can rise and fall for other reasons than ovulation I think I personally wouldn't be able to fully trust it.

crombanna · 27/02/2017 16:34

I used Ovia and educated myself about the fertility awarenesses method. 2 years no pregnancy and fell pregnant quickly when decide to use it for the opposite reason. I really believe in it but you have to be aware of all fertility signs and not just go with counting days from period etc.

MatildaTheCat · 27/02/2017 16:35

Not at all unreasonable if you are fine with becoming pregnant.

Google contraceptive failure rates and check researched websites like One before reaching a decision.

PandaEyes25 · 27/02/2017 16:36

I think it gives a couple of days either side of ovulation where it tells you to use protection. I'm assuming that's what it's accounting for.
In regards to the temp, that's what I'm concerned about but according to them if you take your temperature before you even get out of bed in the morning it eliminates any external factors.

OP posts:

MatildaTheCat · 27/02/2017 16:36

Sorry my link isn't working but there are plenty of official websites to look at.

PandaEyes25 · 27/02/2017 16:37

If I became pregnant, it definitely wouldn't be the end of the world for us and would welcome pregnancy with open arms. Just not ready to actively plan it just yet!!

OP posts:

TiredMumToTwo · 27/02/2017 16:40

My Mum tried something similar years ago and fell pregnant- she reckons it didn't work for her because she was 42 and getting nearer the menopause which was making her periods more irregular and therefore "infertile" days became fertile!

PandaEyes25 · 27/02/2017 16:50

crombanna
Would it be something you'd recommend then? How often can you actually have sex? I've read reviews where out of the whole month you've only got a month that are classes as green days and are okay to carry on as normal (per say!)

OP posts:

Kittykatmacbill · 27/02/2017 16:51

Only if you want to get pregnant! Maybe a copper coil?

CaveMum · 27/02/2017 16:52

Tracking your cycles can be effective when trying to conceive but you need to do it for several months first to build up a pattern that you can interpret. The same must apply if you are using it as a contraceptive method.

Also it won't work if you have a hormone condition like PCOS as the temperature readings are not reliable.

The basic principal is that around ovulation you will see a small rise in temperature that sustains above your base level until just before your period is due, when it falls back down again - if you're not pregnant.

You could use an app like FertilIt's Friend which is meant for those TTC but still does the same thing of mapping your cycles.

Just remember you have to be very accurate with taking your temperatures in order to build up the correct picture and, like I said, you won't be able to rely on it for several months while you build an accurate picture of what your cycle looks like.

PlayOnWurtz · 27/02/2017 16:52

Fertility friend is another good cycle tracker app. You can use it to avoid pregnancy or become pregnant

amusedbush · 27/02/2017 16:56

Have you considered a diaphragm alongside that app? I looked into it and it is about 90% effective, which is not good enough for us as we absolutely don't want children, but might be enough of an additional barrier for yourself if you're not ready to actively try?

jay55 · 27/02/2017 17:00

Condoms?
Sounds like you've done your share of the contraception and dealt with endless ill effects.

PandaEyes25 · 27/02/2017 17:13

I haven't thought about the diaphragm actually.
I've looked into pretty much every other type. The IUD I won't touch as a family member nearly had to have a hysterectomy due to contracting a severe infection, the implant has the same side effects as the pill, as does the injection and my partner is allergic to condoms- latex or not (we think it must be the lubricant or spermicide they use).

So basically I'm not having much luck!

OP posts:

Caterina99 · 27/02/2017 18:42

For us, the withdrawal method coupled with knowing my cycle worked. We used that for 6 months before ttc and then fell pregnant first month of trying.

HOWEVER - there's no way I would rely on that if I definitely didn't want to get pregnant. I was of the opinion that we were ttc in 6 months anyway so a pregnancy wouldn't be the end of the world.

specialsubject · 27/02/2017 19:00

Withdrawal just spoils the fun, it is not contraception.

Knowing your cycle reduces the odds but isn't proof. Fortunately sounds like you are happy to get pregnant.

SheepyFun · 27/02/2017 20:28

I tracked my basal body temperature while trying to conceive DD. My body didn't seem to follow the 'standard' pattern - it's possible that I wasn't measuring consistently enough (not at exactly the same time each morning); I couldn't have used the readings I had to predict fertility. Also, if you have a fever due to illness, it will definitely affect the readings. I definitely wouldn't use natural family planning if I didn't want to be pregnant, though you're in a different position, so the risk might be worthwhile.

Yukbuck · 27/02/2017 20:32

I know people who have got pregnant using this method. So I wouldn't recommend it.

harderandharder2breathe · 27/02/2017 20:36

I'm hugely sceptical of tracking methods and think they should only ever be used if you would be fine with it if it failed and you became pregnant.

If you definitely don't want to get pregnant than you need another more reliable method such as condoms. totally understsnd you don't want to stay on the pill though

BroomstickOfLove · 27/02/2017 20:44

I used the fertility awareness method using the book Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Wechsler. It was good and worked well for me for the two years that I used it, but I don't think I would trust an app that just relied on temperature without looking at other fertility indicators.

It was great on lots of ways - no side-effects, I learned a lot about my body and it was very useful being able to pinpoint the starting dates of my very irregular periods.

The minor downside was having to wake up at the same time every day, but the big disadvantage is that all it is is information about whether you are fertile or not. You tend to have by far the highest libido when you are most fertile, so effectively have to avoid sex at exactly the time you crave it. And if you use a back-up barrier method at those times, any problems in use become more serious because you know that you are very fertile on the day when the condom breaks.

hollinhurst84 · 27/02/2017 20:50

I used Persona for many years and was fine with it but have a v regular cycle

AgathaMystery · 27/02/2017 20:51

YANBU to use this app as contraception.

YABVU if you will be actually be relying on it as contraception.

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backtowork2015 · 27/02/2017 21:41

I used fertility friend to conceive and I don't think I'd use it as contraception, I had some really odd cycles where it looked like I had ovulated only to actually ovulate a few days later, then times I ovulated early on. Don't rely on it

feeona123 · 27/02/2017 21:52

I have a 6 month subscription going cheap - pm if interested

crombanna · 28/02/2017 12:33

Yes I would recommend it. I think it's horribly misunderstood and dismissed by people but it DOES work (for some). Agree that conditions like PCOS might complicate things, also that doing a fair few "test cycles" is a good idea before committing to using it as your sole method of contraception!

Reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, and having a listen to Fertility Friday podcast (lots of introductory episodes there) night be good.

I remember having about 20 "no worries" days, 3 or 4 "absolutely not" days and the rest "hm probably shouldn't" days. The ironic thing with this method is, as you might find out when you stop using hormonal contraception, you feel very frisky during your most fertile days!! So kind of frustrating.

I know I sound a little strange but when left to its own devices, the menstrual cycle is an amazing thing!!

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