Fertility awareness methods (FAM) and improved skin

I had been on PoP contraceptive pill for nearly 10yrs, I have also tried CoC's and injection prior. I wanted to learn more about my body and be natural. This method takes a lot of research and understanding in order for it to work and be effective. I read books and watched YouTube videos to educate myself and joined FB/Reddit group. I use an app called read your body to input my temperature and other symptoms to track where I am in my cycle. It is all done manually by me and not relying on a system like natural cycles to do it for me as this is less reliable....Since stopping the pill my libido came back which is great and I feel emotions depending on where I am in my cycle. My Cycle regulated within 2 months after stopping the pill and for the past 3 years I have learned what is normal for me. My cycle is very text book 28 days long on the dot every month, I ovulate on day 15. This method works for me, I haven't gotten pregnant but on the days during my cycle I could get pregnant, we use condoms rather than abstaining. I would say it took me about 6 months to learn and feel confident in this approach.

I am so pleased to find this after years of side effects from other contraceptives. Doing this method takes work- ovulation testing and I use an oura ring to accurately measure temperature. I wouldn’t recommend this for someone who doesn’t understand how it works, doesn’t understand their body or does not have restraint to use barrier contraception or abstain during red periods. It really works for me and I’ll be using it for the foreseeable.

Coming off hormonal contraception is probably the best thing I have ever done. I was on the combined pill for 5 years and the Mirena coil for nearly 2. The coil gave me horrific acne (never had acne in my life). I had it taken out in January this year, it’s now July, and WOW. My skin has completely cleared, I feel more mental clarity, I’m more in tune with my cycle, it’s regular, my PMS isn’t as bad, and overall I just feel really in control of myself. I’m in a long term relationship so using condoms for 1 week each month is fine for us. I’ve never had a pregnancy scare despite having unprotected sex most of the time! Who knew being natural could be so incredible! I would recommend to anyone in relationships and no underlying gynological issues to definitely try going hormone free!