Trying not to conceive (yet), but...

[Middlelanehogger]

I've discussed with my partner and we think we'd like to start TTC about a year from now, after getting a couple of ducks in a row. However I have been wanting to come off hormonal contraception for a while now and tbh it wouldn't be the end of the world if I got pregnant a little sooner than expected, so a few weeks ago I came off HC and we've been just using condoms (we're a bit forgetful though tbh...).

I'd like to better understand my cycle, partly to be a bit more cautious (for now) around ovulation time, partly out of curiosity, and partly to get used to the idea for when we do start TTC.

I'd love something that was a kind of tracker across the whole month to see what my hormones were doing, like testing every day for a cycle just out of curiosity. Is that a thing? I don't want an app that does it based on averages - I'm very curious about my own body. Someone recommended a clearblue easy fertility monitor, would this be what I'm looking for?

I used the clear blue fertility monitor but it does only track LH. It worked for us the first month I tried it but it is expensive to use if your not TTC actively. The monitor is £80 put a pack of tests which would last approximately 2 cycles is £20. But I would recommend it for when you are trying.

The Premom app is good as you can use the easy@home cheap strips which are cheap and take a pic and upload to get readings. You can also log temperature etc in the app x

Natural cycles is really good for what you're describing, I think. You can use it to prevent pregnancy and plan pregnancy and it tracks basal body temperature, lh, cervical mucus, mood, and physical sensations. It also has lots of little lessons about all the different reproduction related things our bodies do. I enjoy using it.

I've been using flo for years. Pretty good at working out fertile windows and tracking how you're feeling/physical symptoms throughout the month.

I do have to say though, I stopped using it for a year between having ds and trying for our 2nd dc, and I've found that a lot of the features I enjoyed during that pregnancy, like stages and health articles relating to what I've logged seem to have become paid for features now, so the basic app, while good for tracking isn't necessarily informative if you want a deep dive.

I would say natural cycles is the way to go for you 😊

Natural cycles app can be good, however there's so many caveats. Highly recommend the book 'taking charge of your fertility' as an assist to any app/cycling method you use.

Another vote for natural cycles, if you are happy to take your temperature very first thing in the morning every day i think it’s great

Fertility Friend app combined with taking BBT and OPK work well for me...

Thanks for all the recommendations! I've ordered a box of the easyathome strips to give it a go. Will try out all the apps/books recommended! Actually quite excited to learn about it all :)