Fertility awareness methods (FAM) vs Implant

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’ve had this implant twice now both times had side effects I couldn’t deal with first time I gained nearly 3 stone and this time I’m on the weight loss injection and it seems to be countering the weight gain but honestly I’m so emotional and insecure my partner is struggling to deal with my emotions and so am I

At first, my experience with the implant wasn't too bad as I was still 'wet' and moist, but over time my natural moisture has completely dwindled down to nearly nothing. This severe dryness is driving me absolutely insane because it honestly makes me feel like I have a post-menopausal vagina. Because of this, I am now changing back to the generic Desogestrel mini-pill, as I know from previous use that I at least had a normal, healthy white and milky discharge on that method. I am just stating my own personal experience here, and I still think that other people should definitely try the implant if they fancy a different form of birth control, because everyone's body reacts differently to the hormones. so yeah, thank u, next with the implant.

Been on the implant for 6 years now, initially I was spotting for 6 months before it finally settled. Now much more lighter periods so I can cope better as previously really heavy and needed tranexamic acid to manage, mood is more level now also, very rarely get cramps which is a bonus, have gained a little weight and body hair, overall happy with it

I gain weight and got chronic fatigue. It was awful.

This i my first time, I discovered skin heat rash at the initial stage, presently loosing weight and loosing hair.

I am so far very happy with the nexplanon implant. I had tried iuds prior, first the copper T, which did not work for me at all, and then mirena, which was good, but I did experience some pelvic pain and discomfort during intimacy. With the nexplanon, my periods stopped for the first year and a half, maybe closer to 2 years. And then was just very light spotting for awhile after that. I am at about 2 years and 6 months, and my period has come back fully, and I am starting to have hormonal acne and mood changes, so I opted to have it replaced, just in case these symptoms are due to the hormones tapering off. I just had it replaced today, so I am not sure whether it will fix the issue, but will keep ypu posted.

It cause me to have my period for 145 days straight starting two weeks after getting it. The first month was honestly horrible with severe cramping and lower back pain while passing relatively big clots. It also made my mental health decline significantly during this time but after the five month mark I am feeling great and not pregnant!

I was on it for coming up to 8 years overall obviously great to not get pregnant and I was on contraception before where I had an accident so it was really easy and really quick to not have to think about this. It did really impact my moods and I eventually ended up having PMDD because of the severe mood swings. I would also bleed twice a month instead of just a once And it caused a really bad loss of libido and federal dryness. But these are all things that would probably happen if I was pregnant anyway.

My mood was completely changed on this contraception about 2 weeks in. I started getting really angry at everything/everyone very fast, I had a short temper, I felt sad all the time and like everyone was against me. Overall I felt I was going crazy and could not control my emotions at all. Also I had a constant heavy period for 3 months

Used for 5 years so far. No complaints really. I didnt feel much change to myself till recently. This has been mood swings and irritability but ive been on it 5 years and this only just started. Never fell pregnant. Little to no periods. Would recommend