Something that almost every couple can relate to is thinking about planning children. Some couples want to have children as soon as possible. While others just want to stay away from the hassle of children for some time.

As such do you think there can be a solution that is useful to couples in both situations? What about a birth control app that uses temperature-based contraception?

You heard right. Let us tell you how this birth control method works. Most fertility apps use menstrual cycle information to determine viable times. Some applications include thermometers or analyzers for urine samples.

Natural Cycles birth control app is one such solution available for couples. It has no hormones or adverse effects. It tracks body temperature and the cycles. It claims to have a 93% success rate with normal use and a 99% success rate with optimal use in preventing pregnancy.

Read this blog by Ofmum to get all the details about the Natural Cycle. Here we will discuss how the Natural Cycles app works how to use it its cost and questions that people usually search for.

What is Natural Cycles?

Natural Cycles is an app that provides information on fertility awareness. This is a solution for both birth control and planning pregnancy. In this app a woman's daily basal body temperature measurements and knowledge of her menstrual cycle are used. It helps to determine which days of the month she is most fertile. It's made for use on mobile devices. It targets those couples who are looking for an easy and simple solution to planning kids or finding options for birth control.

Using input data or direct temperature measurements from connected smart devices monitor the increase in basal body temperature (BBT) that occurs after ovulation. As BBT rises progesterone levels also rise after ovulation. Ovulation may be confirmed using a progesterone BBT test but unlike LH monitoring it may miss the peak fertile window.

Every couple can try this app at least once as this is consistent. This would help you predict fertile days. For those who want to prevent pregnancy it could be a foolproof method. Generally speaking there isn't any foolproof method except abstaining from lovemaking.

Benefits of Using Natural Cycles

1. A natural birth control solution with no side effects: Your fertile window is calculated by Natural Cycles based on your core body temperature. To help you avoid pregnancy without using hormones the algorithm analyzes your cycle data and provides a daily fertility status.
2. FDA clearance: Raoul Scherwitzl (Founder of Natural Cycles) reports that the NC° app has FDA clearance. It's considered as a Class II medical device. It is used as a contraceptive in Europe Australia and Singapore.

Studies Show it is Effective

It is said that no trick for birth control is 100% effective. However studies by the FDA have shown that Natural Cycles is 93% effective with typical use. When used perfectly it is considered 98% effective.

Different profiles for birth control and planning pregnancies: There are two options available in the Natural Cycles birth control app. These are shown in green and red colors. The green color represents non-fertile and the red color shows using protection.

Appropriate for persons who have longer or shorter than typical cycles: It is said that women with shorter cycles have reduced chances of becoming pregnant. It would suggest a greater or lesser number of red days. However you can trust the green days that you can see in today's view.

How does it work?

The Natural Cycle app is available both on iOS and Android devices. The app is free but its features require a subscription plan. One good thing about this is the one-month free trial available for new users. Apart from this everyone would need to purchase a basal thermometer with it.

For users with an annual subscription this thermometer comes for free. For others it would cost $39.99. Also everyone would be required to enter details of the period cycle of the user of the app. People with special cycles would be automatically adjusted accordingly.

Step 1:

To keep track of her menstrual cycle a user of the app Natural Cycles must measure her temperature every day using a basal body thermometer upon waking up.

Step 2:

An increase in temperature of around half a degree Fahrenheit around ovulation may be detected with basal body thermometers which are more sensitive than ordinary thermometers.

Step 3:

If a woman is using the app as a form of birth control she should avoid sexual activity on days that read "use protection." Instead use a barrier method of birth control such as a condom to prevent pregnancy.

How To Use Natural Cycles Birth Control App?

1. Download the app and select the plan from the three different plans available. These plans are:
2. NC Birth Control (preventing pregnancy)
3. NC Plan Pregnancy (finding fertile days)
4. NC Follow Pregnancy (monitoring pregnancy)
5. As said after this you would be entering menstrual cycle information.
6. Once done with details you can take readings via a basal thermometer. The terms of using temperature readings are straight in bed before anything else.
7. Also you have to make sure to sleep three hours every night without any disturbance. Now you need to put the temperature manually in the app.
8. You will enter your current temperature into the application. You can forego taking your temperature on days when you are not feeling well and assume your fever has risen due to illness.
9. Note: According to Natural Cycles it's quite not necessary to take temperature readings daily. However if you do so consistently it would help the app get to know your cycle better. This assists Natural Cycles in studying your temperature readings and menstrual cycle data.
10. After all the details and calculations it tells you about days which are definitive red (fertile) or green (not fertile).
11. Depending upon your chosen plan it will show you a message NC Birth Control plan. If it shows you red which means “Use Protection” and green which means “Not Fertile”.

The NC app has the added benefit of tracking premenstrual syndrome (PMS) discomfort mood changes and libido.

How Much Does Natural Cycles Cost?

Natural Cycles offers different subscription options for its fertility management app. The cost varies depending on the subscription plan. The subscription options include a monthly or annual plan including a monthly trial period. Here are more details:

1. The monthly subscription costs $14.99 per month while the annual plan costs $9.99 per month and includes a free basal thermometer.
2. It's important to note that the cost may vary based on different promotions or offers available at the time of purchase.
3. There are discounts available for Natural Cycles subscriptions. The company offers various promotional codes and deals that can provide significant savings.

Alternatives To Natural Cycles

You can easily spot different free and paid apps similar to Natural Cycles birth control apps.

However if you want something that has FDA clearance there is nothing available other than the Natural cycle. It is also said that there is some other birth control app that had approval from the FDA but it is not yet available for use in the United States.

Other apps predict very much about fertile based on a 28-day cycle. That might not be perfect for those with shorter cycles.

The best alternative to Natural Cycles birth control app could be nothing better than traditional contraception methods. For example: condoms diaphragms birth control sponges etc.

Where To Buy Natural Cycles?

Natural Cycles is available for download from the App Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.

You may purchase accessories for the app's associated services on the brand's website. Basal thermometers are available at most stores.

Natural Cycles Birth Control app collaborates with Oura. Oura is a wearable ring that captures data while a person sleeps. If a person owns an Oura ring the plans are the same price. If a person does not already have one they can save money by purchasing the ring for $259 instead of $299.

Frequently asked questions

Is Natural Cycles a good form of birth control?

According to clinical evidence provided by Natural Cycles it is effective. This is said to be effective with a rate of 93% when used typically and 98% when used perfectly.

Can you use the pull-out method with Natural Cycles?

On red days or fertile days it is best to avoid intercourse or use contraception. However on green days you can relax while your special movements.

Can you use Natural Cycles without a period?

In case of no period the Natural Cycles algorithm would be of no help. As this would not be able to analyze your cycles. So you can use this app without using it.

Is Natural Cycles approved by the FDA?

Natural Cycles has FDA clearance for marketing. But when it comes to FDA approval it is not approved. Here is a quick introduction to these two terms.

1. Clearance: When a medical device is cleared it has undergone a 510(k) filing which the FDA evaluates and approves.
2. Approval: To be lawfully sold Class III medical devices must go through a rigorous evaluation and approval procedure.

Takeaway

Let's wrap this up for Ofmum with a straight fact. There isn't any app or method that is 100 percent reliable for birth control/ Natural Cycles is based on emerging technology that works as a fertility awareness app. However it can be useful and very effective to stay tension-free while preventing pregnancy.

For those choosing the Natural Cycles app it is best to consider that this would be predicting your ovulation days. It will help make your health decisions in the long run. Make sure that this is not guaranteed and that all predictions given in the app are sure. So use it accordingly.

There are different options available for preventing pregnancy. Always consider talking with a gynecologist before using any such birth control method.