Fertility awareness methods (FAM) vs Combined pill

Hi everyone! I’ve been using Natural Cycles for a while now and it’s genuinely helped me feel more in control of my cycle and fertility awareness. If anyone here is thinking about trying it, I have a referral code that gives you a discount on subscription (and also helps me get closer to becoming a Star Cycler). If you’d like to use it, here it is: https://www.naturalcycles.com/refer-a-friend?name=QmV0aA%3D%3D&code=referralid20&referral=70eqzvinl2i98q15&utm_source=NCApp&utm_medium=inappbutton&utm_campaign=refer_a_friend_page No pressure at all — just sharing in case it helps someone save a bit while getting started. Happy to answer questions about my experience if that’s useful too 😊 With this you get a free thermometer and a 20% off :)

I used natural cycles to prevent and plan pregnancy- worked fabulously on both occasions. After my daughter was born I wanted a more solid contraception (sleep does impact your basal temp guys, so with a newborn, not the one)- now she sleeps through I will be going back!!

Before using FAM, I was using the copper IUD religiously for about 11 years. I had a mixed experience even if overall positive with it, but back in 2021 after a year of chronic yeast infections and finally discovering it had slipped, I decided to not replace it. In that time, my periods were always like clockwork and I was tracking my cycles in a few years leading up to this. Not just tracking the days, but my symptoms and body sensations as I entered into each phase. I was using a period tracking app called Eve, but I knew not to rely on it religiously, it was just for a rough idea of when my fertile times and period would be. I decided to just continue with this, because I had built such a deep relationship with my body and have no problem checking my cervical fluids. I used it until 2022 when we decided to try to conceive, and we conceived within a few months, even though sadly, it was ectopic. I wouldn't recommend this method to anybody without months of really knowing your body and listening to it-- learning your cues for when you know you're about to ovulate, roughly timing how long your follicular phase is, and it helps if your periods are regular. While apps can be really helpful, you have to do the hard work of building that relationship with your body. I wouldn't recommend it for somebody just starting out, or if your periods are irregular.

I enjoyed taking Eloine, I had a few side effects when starting but they eased apart from excessive sweating which is one of the reasons why I’ve stopped taking it. I would definitely recommend to someone looking for a combined pill that’s low oestrogen and anti-androgenic.

I was put on this by a private menopause clinic to help my migraines WITHOUT aura which got really awful after 2 years off the pill. It initially made me feel in a great mood, although from the first night I had body aches all over, my joints cracked constantly and I got wicked acid reflux everytime I took it, I had to taken 4 antacids a night. Then I started getting migraine with aura almost everyday, was seeing visuals all the time, felt nauseous and my mood I would describe as hyper, my sleep went out the window. I had night sweats constantly, my skin went dry as a bone and was flaking off, and my hair loss was bad. The clinic told me to remain on it after I complained at 6 weeks. I went to my gp who told me to cease immediately, due to stroke risk with the aura, which I did. Following coming off I felt like a I had a flu, and my mood tanked. Was absolutely horrendous for 3 weeks, before my body and brain recovered. Eventually have gone back on POP which is not perfect, but is not the hell of Zoely!

been on femodette for nearly a decade to control my endometriosis and it’s been fantastic. i used to take it with breaks and had minimal cramps from the endo. i now take back to back and have only had one instance for breakthrough bleeding. it’s been so long that i can’t say for sure the impact on mood, weight etc.

Improved pain endomyosis symptoms at the expense of mood. Still had issues with breakthrough bleeding but periods were better.

overall this pill is pretty great. on the website there is a lot of negative reviews and i have not shared many. i began this pill in year 10 to clear my acne. i didn’t have terrible acne but i was pretty self conscious about it especially when most of my friends didn’t get acne like mine and i covered it up with concealer and foundation which isn’t good for my skin. my experience with my doctor was extremely positive, he told me that i could either continue a stronger acne cream (which didnt work for me and only dried my skin) begin the pill or take accutane. unlike many of my other friends who were forced to take the pill or some kind of contraceptive, i chose to take the pill and he even let me research which one i would take and we then discussed together which would be suitable for me. in the first couple of months, i stopped breaking out when i had periods and my acne began clearing up very quickly which boosted my confidence a lot. in month three, i began to have stomach cramps when i wasnt on my period so i told my doctor and he said i should try taking it at night and after food which seemed to help. i also began skipping my periods which obviously stopped cramping on and before periods. he also told me it could just be my body reacting the the changes so im not saying this is the solution for everyone. about halfway through year 11, i no longer had any visible pimple and it was mainly just my skin texture that needed improving, but i felt much more confident especially as i moved to a new school in year 11 and was surrounded by new people and a new environment. my skin was so good that by the end of year 11, we went on a school trip to heron island and i didn’t cover my acne at all. while my main issues were fixed, i experienced much more discharge, not in amount but every day i had discharge which made me feel a bit unhygienic down there but i didnt want to stop or switch the pill as it had improved my skin so much. now i have been on it for almost three years i find that this issue has been improved which is a plus for me but it was uncomfortable around the halfway mark where it peaked. i do reccomend this pill besides the low reviews, but i do think that the first couple of months i experienced changes (the cramping) that only reduced by letting my body get used to the medication. this is just my experience and not medical advice :)) thanks yazmin :b

I was on this pill for my periods as they were very irregular and acne and in the beginning it worked very well but after a few months I had intense break through bleeding and I was basically on my period for months. My acne cleared then got worse, I gained alot of weight and I started having horrible migraines

Need change for another one

Had it for almost a year now, I’ve been on the pill (around 5 different ones) since I was 13 due to heavy non stop bleeding. This one had the fewest noticeable side effects that didn’t make me want to change, apart from the sex drive. I don’t know if it’s because my hormones have been tampered with since I started puberty but I’m 18 now and this low libido, sex drive and vaginal dryness is not ideal. It’s a bit of a hindrance.

I requested Zoelly after attending a talk at spire about endometriosis as it was recommenced. For the first 3 months I loved it! Minimal cramps and much lighter periods lasting 2 and a half days (always been 6-7 days and heavy for me). After about 9 months - 1 year. Periods went back to 6 days but lighter. However, my endo symptoms have worsened. I can’t say if that’s is due to the pill though. I was taken off this due to developing migraines (I think developed due to stress rather than the pill) and endo symptoms worsening so to try another option.