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.

How long has it taken you to get pregnant when you were ttc?
9 months not-pregnant is still within the normal range for a couple actively ttc..!

tenbob

I'm not ttc yet, I'm using it as contraception

Mooncuplanding Copper coil (and Mirena) are not routinely recommended for women who have not delivered a baby vaginally, as it can be extremely painful getting it through the cervix.

The point tenbob is making is that just because you haven't fallen pregnant yet, doesn't guarantee that the method is working. If you were here saying you had not fallen pregnant in say, 5 years of use, it would be clear it works for you. Nine months is within the range of 'it might still happen'. Also, the fact that you are using OPKs as back up suggests you don't fully trust it, which I think is wise.

How's it different to Kindara? I temped when TTC but little point when you don't ovulate naturally and have IVF and a shitload of fertility drugs!

Jaydess is a smaller, lower dose version of the Mirena that may be a more suitable option (and more comfortable at fitting) for young women or women who haven’t had children. Your local sexual health / family planning clinic is likely to be able to access it. It doesn’t seem widely available through GP practices.

PuntCuffin tenbob

Ah I see, that's a good point actually I didn't think of it like that!

When I was younger/before I went on the pill my periods were so irregular and even though NC says it works with irregular periods that's my main reason for using OPKs. I have to say that it has predicted my period accurately for the last 3 months so its getting to know my cycle well.

*bananafish81
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I've never heard of Kindara - what is it?

This Natural Cycles app seems to be advertised everywhere at the moment, to be honest this post sounds like another thinly veiled one. The comments on social media are depressing, young women touting it as a magic solution. If anyone reads this thread in future and thinks it sounds good please realise this is NOT contraception, its a dice roll which could lead to STDs or unwanted pregnancy. I hate that it is being advertised as a new and trendy solution when actually its as old as time and everyone knows someone who has got pregnant this way. Op if it wouldn't be 'the end of the world' to have a baby why not have an adult conversation with your partner, maybe think about getting married or ensuring you can provide emotionally and financially for a baby instead of just winging it.

I did this method of contraception for a year. Was super smug cause it worked. It worked cause I was actually infertile. Don't be too happy that your having unprotected sex and haven't conceived.

silkybear

It didn't mean to come across as an ad. As I said, before I started it I wanted to talk to someone who used it about their experience and thought I could do the same for someone else.

In terms of it not being the end of world, I don't say that lightly. My partner and I are not planning on having kids in the near future. We would like to plan a bit more and save a bit more etc but that said, we aren't on the breadline, we can provide for a child and we have loving and supportive families who would be thrilled so in that sense it wouldn't be the end of the world. I think for some women, it's just not financially viable, they're not at the stage in their lives etc but that's not the case for us. We're just not actively planning for one right now.

I Must sound like a nut but I use natural cycles used condoms all the time Anschluss abstain during my fertile window. I really am not ready for a pregnancy

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay

I'm sorry that what's happened. You're right of course, that's what could be going on here. Another reason I wanted to do this is because my mum went through early menopause and that was without 15+ years of her body being on the pill so I wanted to go hormone free so that when we did start trying I was giving my body the best possible chance. Can I ask if the app picked up ovulation and if your periods were regular whilst you were using it?

sorry I think my post maybe came off a bit more aggro than intended. I have seen a good friend try this method and it didn't end well. I am annoyed at the flippancy of the advertising for this reason. You sound switched on though, so good luck to you

*silkybear
*
That's ok! I have heard of a lot of stories where it hasn't turned out the way women have wanted and I do think it's advertised too easily with little information. I spent about 6 months dithering and researching before I took the plunge. Their website is full of info and they do put disclaimers about how it doesn't protect against STDs but that all depends on someone clicking all the way through to that.

Just linking the article for others www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/21/colossally-naive-backlash-birth-control-app

I think it's fine as long as you accept that you either can't have sex or have to use one of the least reliable methods of contraception (conforms) when you are most fertile. For those going on about STDs though, that isn't a natural cycles deficiency- no method of contraception except condoms does so I don't see what your point is

I read that article at the weekend and it made me click on this thread. Sounds terrifying. Try and update in 6 months, op.

Canwejustrelaxnow

I'll try and remember!

I should maybe back up ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay as well. I used Persona in a previous long term relationship for 3 years, hence thinking it worked for me. I discovered several years later (after I got married and had my little accidents) that the previous boyfriend suffers from male factor infertility and has never managed to have a family. If that hadn't been the case, I would probably have got pregnant in that relationship. So, (unless your DP already has kids), there is another option for why it might appear to be working so far.

PuntCuffin

Such a good point and honestly something that had never occurred to me.

@StandardsHighSquatsLow Kindara is a leading cycle tracking app (that also has a WiFi connected BBT you can buy to use with it, though I never did)

Kindara - more info here
[[https://techcrunch.com/2015/08/19/more-than-just-a-period-tracker-kindara-raises-5-3m-to-understand-womens-health/
More Than Just A Period Tracker, Kindara Raises $5.3M To Understand Women’s Health]] - background to how it was founded

Just curious what Natural Cycles does that other apps don't, that mean it's getting raved about so much

I would urge anyone interested in natural contraception to look at methods that combine charting basal temperature and observing cervical mucus. Much more reliable than just looking at temperature!

For example in Germany, NFP / Sensiplan is quite popular and with a Pearl Index of 0.4 and a typical-use failure rate of 1.8 also really safe. I'm always a bit about how the majority of posters on MN appear to be so against more natural methods while seeming quite ill-informed about them.

CluelessAboutSpain

That's something I'd like to see added to NC as currently it's not one of the things they take into account. Interestingly, FitBit have just released a cycle tracker and you can add cervical mucus changes on there but I think it's for your own interest to look at trends rather than them taking it into consideration and adjusting accordingly.

*bananafish81
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They look very similar though it seems as if Kindara have marketed themselves as a fertility tracker rather than a contraceptive app. I first heard about Natural Cycles through an article I read somewhere and then (probably due to the internet being Big Brother) I kept seeing it everywhere. But that could also be due to a big advertising push, which as we've discussed, isn't necessarily a good thing.

Do you think natural cycle is more suitable to someone older who has previously been on other contraception methods ?

What are the associated costs ?