Fertility awareness methods (FAM) vs Combined pill

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 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’ve been using NC since 2021, I use to love this app and tell everybody about it until I had sex on a green day and got pregnant. I used to think it would never happen to me as I’ll use the app right. Measured every day and was very religious with the app. However, I ovulated earlier and fell pregnant! The app only goes off previous ovulation compared to current meaning it doesn’t prevent pregnancy as yes you have red days but it’s just a prediction! For example green day on day 6 (had sex) and ovulated on day 10 (red days) and fell pregnant. Ovulated 5 days early! Sperm can live inside you for 5 days hence why I’m pregnant and will be getting an abortion.

My completely lost my sex drive and was always upset and in a really bad mood.I was on this pill consistently for 1 year and about 6 months and I had to stop for awhile and when I went back on it for 1 month and the side effects were horrible my skin was breaking out I was constantly bloated I started having 2 /3 periods A MONTH iam currently trying to change the pill iam on but iam nervous in it’s worse .

When I first started levest It gave me bad acne around my chin and enlarged breasts and a slight change in mood but after three months I have literally no side effects and my skin is starting to clear, in fact I’ve actually lost weight on it. This pill suits me more than others I have been on.

I have PCOS and had been told this would be my best option after having tried between 6-8 other pills and patches over the last 5 years. The main concern was facial acne, body acne and lack of periods all of which this pill is incredible for. My skin has completely cleared despite taking around 2-3 months to do so, particularly stubborn back acne and periods are as they should be. However in the short time I’ve been taking this I’ve gained 4-5kg. My job is physical and I work out often so there’s not much I can put it to but the pill. Additionally I have had extreme hair loss, zero sex drive and very flatlined emotions. All in all a great pill for clearing skin though when it comes to other side effects I do think I will be stopping this once I run out.

I went on it for PMDD symptoms, and they completely went away! Also made me gain a cup size which I liked. First year I loved it, but after taking it long term with no breaks it kinda tanked my libido :/ overall though, pretty positive experience for birth control

I’ve had a pretty good experience with this pill. I went on my first pill at age 19 (Rigevidon) and I experienced quite a lot of nausea with it so got given Millinette 30/75. The nausea persisted and I felt sick almost every time I ate with no particular pattern, so they put me on Millinette 20/75 which has slightly less oestrogen. I have had a pretty good experience but at almost the 2 year mark of taking it, I have started to experience a lot of brain fog and almost feeling like a shell of myself! Sex drive is very low too as well as vaginal dryness and my first ever case of thrush. These however are the only side effects I’ve experienced now apart from some headaches when I have a pill break. I’m open to trying something new but don’t want to rock the boat as I haven’t had the worst experience. But that being said I do feel like it is affecting mine and my partner’s sex life. Could anyone advise me of another option that may help get my libido back on track?

Ever since I started using Ovreena I started feeling this thrush-like sensation down there. It was unbearable itchiness that came usually after showers/sexual intercourse and no I didn't have any visible changes to my skin other than mild swelling weirdly only the left side of my labia and clitoral area. I've taken all sorts of tests from STD's, vaginal infections to going to multiple gynaecologists and dermatologists. Nothing they diagnosed me with was adding up until I stopped the pill. One dermatologist that thought I might have Lichen Sclerosis (Though I had no visible changes to my skin or any of those symptoms other than the itching), she recommended to use Aqueous cream as a form of vaginal wash and a steroid topical cream on top of a thin layer of vaseline to the affected area with a higher dose of antihistamines for prescription. This helped me get rid of the symptoms to help me sleep and function during the night and throughout the day but when it wore off it came back. After I stopped taking Ovreena it took about a month for the itching to stop completely so long story short it started when I started taking the pill I had this issue and then after I stopped it went away. I hope this helps for anyone with similar symptoms.

Been taking for around 4 years, almost flawless except totally ruined any sex drive/libido and that sucks so bad. Great for skin though and regulating periods/lighter periods, which is why I went on it in the first place👍🏼

Thrush all the time due to microlite

This is my second month with this pill. In the first 2 weeks, I was constantly bloated and had small cramps in my stomach a few hours after taking it, also I was ALWAYS hungry, so I ended up gaining more than 5 pounds in that time. I changed to this pill in hopes of getting back some of my sex drive, which went nonexistent on Yasmin and Eloine, also I hoped it would improve my mood a bit, as I felt moody, anxious and depressed while taking the previous pills. It may have stabilised my mood a bit as I experience less intense PMS symptoms, but my overall mood is still low all the time, and it did not help with my libido either. Another downside for me is the heavy bleeding I get on the break, on the other pills I had very light periods, but now it is like a normal period with cramps and blood knots. I also get headaches in the pill break, which is unusual for me. I did not experience too much change regarding my skin, maybe a couple more spots but nothing crazy.

I’ve been using Lizinna for just over 8 months. Started taking due to my PMS symptoms so I take 3 packs back to back then a break. I notice around the 3rd pack my mood is impacted negatively, and I know it’s time for a break. I haven’t spotted using this pill, I don’t get as many spots and if I do they don’t last as long and my general mood is better than before. I have gained 1+ stone in weight in the 8 months of using this pill. I haven’t been moving significantly less or eating significantly more so there is no other change than starting this pill. It is effecting me quite a bit as it is sending my body image down the swanny. I guess the pros outweigh the cons (pardon the pun)