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.

*forgivenminds
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I think the best circumstances in which to use it are if you're in a long term relationship and are both clean sexual health wise, if you have a fairly consistent routine in terms of how many hours sleep you get/when you wake up in the morning. Most of this does come from being a bit older and more settled.

I don't know if I'd necessarily say having been on other contraceptive methods is necessary but in terms of usage, it's not the most convenient method out there so it might be worth trying others first to get a feel for what's best for you (if that makes sense).

Cost wise it's an annual subscription of £40 and the thermometer if you choose to buy their branded one it's £21.89. If you have a referral code then it's £35.99 subscription and the thermometer is free.

@StandardsHighSquatsLow not sure how it's marketed changes the difference of the functionality though?

Kindara tracks a load of data - temp, cervical fluid, flow, cervical position, and makes predictions based on historical cycles. Screen caps attached

More people tend to chart for TTC than TTA so it's really just sensible marketing - doesn't mean it's necessarily any less well suited for family planning if the functionality is the same?

(The IUD fitted is a custom one from me! You can add all sorts of custom data. When I was doing fertility treatment I tracked all sorts)

Also I'm not sure what the NC offers that makes it value for money if you have to pay for it?!! Kindara is free and I got my BBT from Amazon for a fiver....

Must be something I'm missing for them to be able to charge subscription fees

bananafish81

Tbh I can't see any difference in functionality. I'd never heard of Kindara before now but I'll definitely look into it more and consider it as an option when my subscription with NC is up, it certainly seems better value for money as you say.

bananafish81

I'm actually going to download it now and use it alongside NC and see how they compare. Then I'll be tracking on three different apps 😂 I've got the thermometer so might as well give it a whirl.

@StandardsHighSquatsLow might as well! The community feature is really lovely too for people using it to TTC. I've made a ton of online friends via following each others' charts, and joined spinoff private Kindara FB groups for those of us who are struggling. to support each other through our infertility journeys. I've met a few IRL! That's obvs less relevant for using it to TTA, although I've definitely see people choose to share their charts with the community who are using it to support natural family planning.

Apparently the Bluetooth BBT they sell is pants though!

I don't temp anymore since finishing our (sadly unsuccessful) TTC journey - but I did really like the app when I did. Can't speak to using its predictive features for NFP, but as the principles are the same, would deffo give it a go. Interested to hear how you get on!

So you haven't changed your mind about using it after learning that the studies that produced their advertised success rates were poorly conducted and more like market research than a medical trial?

I guess you really must not mind if you get pregnant.

I use Kindara too - my impression was that they're largely the same but Natural Cycles has spotted a niche/money making opportunity, as charting is largely the preserve of those TTC!

I'd echo that you can't really say it's working without more time and knowing your/your partner's fertility. Though we could arguably say that for other contraception methods too!

In my entirely unscientific anecdotal knowledge, I've known three person chart their fertility on paper. One successfully avoided pregnancy for about 5 years, then got pregnant in month two when TTC. Two charted and raved about it, but when they wanted to be pregnant it turned out they had fertility issues.

If you're in a position where getting pregnant wouldn't be a disaster, I can see the appeal. All contraception success rates depend on how well they are used - I think it's the self-control side of NC/charting which makes me doubt it's use for many people!

bananafish81 QuarrellingElephants

Does Kindara show your fertile period based on sperm living for up to five days? So say it predicted ovulation on day 17 of your cycle, would it show you as being fertile from day 12 - day 18 or just the 24-48 hours that you're actually ovulating?

I'm in a very lucky position where I have a very consistent sleep pattern and wake up to take my temperature at the same time every morning so that element of it is something I really feel I have control over. I'm definitely over cautious though, if I think I've had a bad night's sleep or I'm not sure if my two drinks the night before will affect my temperature then I'll mark it as deviating even if it looks normal on the chart or I'm not prompted by the app to do so.

Of course it could turn out that I am infertile and that's why it worked but I was on the pill for over 15 years and the same could be said for that I guess?

*Trills
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Have you got a link to that because I haven't heard that anywhere but I'd be interested to read more?

I think contraception is so personal and for me NC works (as far as I know) so for now I'm sticking with it and from some very helpful posters on here, I've learnt about some other tracking apps that I can use alongside it.

You're right in that I really wouldn't mind if I got pregnant. As I've explained earlier, it's not something I say lightly and I'm not being naive about it. Everyone is different and NC is not a one size fits all form of contraception and that's ok. I would never force my views on anyone, as I said it was more if anyone had questions about my personal experience with it in case they were considering it.

It´s a great app, I have been using it for 2 years now and if you follow their directions, it really works. Its super easy to use and with this link you get a 20% off and a free termometer.

www.naturalcycles.com/signup/secret?code=referralid20&referral=7ef5a7556c0f4d8198de5d4ab27c7b38

This article is worth a read. srh.bmj.com/content/familyplanning/early/2018/07/21/bmjsrh-2018-200110.full.pdf

Why would you need an app for this though? I have been charting my temperature and mucus with the symptothermal method on paper for a decade now (just over 101 cycles) and have had 2 planned pregnancies in that time. It has cost me next to nothing. I don't see what the positives of an app are, it just makes the whole method more complicated and expensive.
I find people are very sceptical about natural contraceptive methods because they don't know the facts. The copper coil mentioned by a PP has a Pearl index of 0.9-3, whereas the symptothermal method has a PI of 0.3 IF used properly. That's a big "if" of course, and one of the main limitations of this method!
I chose it because I find it easy, straightforward, super cheap, I enjoy tracking my cycle, it doesn't kill my libido, it doesn't cause heavy bleeding.

BestBeforeYesterday

I actually think after doing it for a while you probably wouldn't use the app at all but it's the convenience of it for me. You put in your temperature and it does all the hard work for you and then you great big in your face message that says if it's a green day or not. I've heard of a lot of people like yourself going DIY but personally for me, it is just the convenience right now and I guess that's what I'm paying for.

I love the app and can’t believe I took the pill for so long it has taken over 6 months off it and using this app to only just about get a normal cycle back. 10% off for new subscribers here: bit.ly/2zhLlbk

This thread is hilarious. It's an ad for something whose efficacy is unproven, by someone who freely admits the advertising is misleading, and who has only used it for a few cycles and that she doesn't mind getting pregnant anyway. But hey, you get a free thermometer.

Doesn’t Natural Cycles rely solely on temperature? I’ve used FAM methods before and like them, but there is no bloody way I’d trust something that only used BBT unless I wasn’t that bothered about getting pregnant anyway.

As a PP said, methods that involve tracking cervical mucus as well as basal temperature are actually very reliable if used correctly. I have been doing that for 7 years with one planned pregnancy (on first and only cycle TTC). It's completely free after you buy the thermometer and learn the method. But my experience is not data - there is some here from an unbiased source sexwise.fpa.org.uk/contraception/fertility-awareness-methods

I would not rely on an app and certainly not one that only tracks temperature. Temperature rises after ovulation whereas mucus changes before. If you only go on temperature you are basically guessing/hoping that the next cycle will be like previous cycles. However sophisticated the algorithm it is a prediction rather than an observation.

EurekaStreet

Thank you for your opinion on this.

53rdWay

Yes it does but they've said they are working on tracking cervical mucus as well.

Personally for me I couldn't track it, I've tried before and it doesn't change noticeablely every month.

glorious

Thanks for the link. I suppose with NC what I do like is that it gives you fertile days before you ovulate (as it should) and if you are irregular then you have more fertile days. So yes I know you're temperature only rises when you ovulate but if you've been given red days for a week already, if you're using it properly, you should be taking proper precautions prior to ovulation anyway.