Patch vs Fertility awareness methods (FAM)

I initially really liked this contraception - Evra patch - I used it before we planned for our daughter with no issues with side effects, and because I liked it so much, it was the contraception of choice after I gave birth. However, post pregnancy the patch was not good. I was on the patch for almost a year post baby before switching to the implant, and the reason I was on it for a year was simply because I really wanted this contraception to work for me despite not liking the side effects. I love the premise behind the patch. It is so simple to use and I liked that it was on the skin and you applied it yourself, as opposed to something inside your body that you have to book an appointment for a procedure to get it fitted, such as the implant, for example. The reason I changed to the implant from the patch was because I really struggled with irritation at the patch site. I don't know if it was a reaction to the hormones or the glue used to adhere the patch to the skin - possibly the latter - but the irritation was horrendous. The patch would be incredibly itchy and it was unbearable. It would leave me with burn-like marks that would still be there three weeks later, despite rotating the patch site every single week. I used to have to resist the urge to scratch the patch off. Many times I did scratch it off and with it, took a layer of skin off due to irritation. I'd be left with exposed, damaged skin at the site patch which would then scab over as the skin healed. I am usually quite a steady mood person and the patch really affected my mood which was hard. I'd get very down and anxious a couple of days after my patch change day and that would last a day or two. It was similar to the feeling you get before your period, then your period arrives and you're thinking, "Okay so that explains why I was feeling that way - it was my period!" But instead of getting that down/anxious feeling once a month, I'd get it every single week. It was draining not just for me, but also for my partner too. When I placed an order for the patch, I'd get a prescription for 3 months worth of patches but because of the irritation I explained above, I was actually scratching the patch off before my patch change day which reduced my stock of patches earlier than planned. This meant I was putting in more prescription requests than the suggested amount. Scratching the patch off obviously put me at risk of falling pregnant, which didn't happen to me, and even though, I immediately replaced the patch I'd scratched off, it did make me question the effectiveness of the patch. When I spoke to the doctor about scratching the patch off before the change day she couldn't really explain whether that would reduce the effectiveness of the patch or not because I'd replaced it immediately. I am so disappointed that this contraception has not worked for me, but it was really affecting my skin and my mood. The way it affected my skin was intense itching all over my body. It was so bad that I'd scratch until my skin bled. That started about 8 or 9 months into using the patch and I put up with it until I got to 12 months, so for the last 3-4 months of using the patch, I was going stir crazy with the itchiness and skin irritation all over my legs, my feet and my arms. It was debilitating and it was something totally new in my life - I have never had any skin issues before. I initially thought it was my washing powder (I'd not changed the brand) or low iron as I'd developed low iron after I gave birth, but since stopping the patch and changing to the implant, within a month of having the implant, my skin is well on its way to going back to normal - everything is healing. All I can say is, this is my experience of using the EVRA patch. I hope this helps someone reading this but do your research before you decide if it is the right contraception for you. Just because I had all the side effects listed above does not necessarily mean that you will. I didn't have most of these on my first stint of using the patch. I only really had low mood but no skin irritation. It was only after pregnancy and birth that I noticed the side effects second time around.

Patch was a pretty good option. Used it for about a year. No problems mood wise, body and skin stayed the same. Initially got a rash from the glue but my skin got used to it after a month or so. Found it a bit annoying having the patch visible to other people. Took continuously to stop periods, and did breakthrough bleed every 3-4 months. Had to stop using in the end due to hormonal post nasal drip, which got realllyy annoying. Was gutted as it was otherwise so good.

I was really getting on with the patch, ive been on it since 2024 and was on it previously for a couple years. But the last few months ive been really suffering which the patch is definitely contributing to. The last few periods I have been experiencing migraines with aura, I've been getting a lot of brown bleeding, the fatigue is unbearable and I almost passed out. Since ive been experiencing these side effects the last few months, I noticed lumps in my breast around the same time and I have just been diagnosed with fibrocystic tissue disease, which the hormones in the patch is not helping. I also experience a lot of breakthrough bleeding and bleeding after sex since being on the patch. Although, my periods are a lot lighter but I still bleed for 7 days. The period pains have not been as severe as they would be off the patch. It has definitely helped my pcos and adenomyosis.

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 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.

I've had an entirely positive experience using Natural Cycles. While using the impant I was struggling with acne, mood swings, irregular periods. And since swapping to use Natural Cycles I've felt much better in myself, my periods are very regular, I feel I understand my body and cycle so much more, and my skin has cleared up. In 5 years of using it it's been 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, I'm very careful to measure consistently, and I use the Oura Ring to help get accurate readings. But this small effort seems like a small price to pay in exchange for getting rid of all the nasty side effects of my previous contraception

I started using Natural Cycles a few years back. I was never on any birth control as a teenager as my mum didn't want my young body being put on hormones. However, once I settled down with my current long-term partner, I wanted to have the peace of mind that I wasn't going to fall pregnant. The first few years of using Natural Cycles were great and empowering, understanding the changes in my body and knowing when I had ovulated was great. What I had failed to understand was it predicted with its algorithm your date of next month's ovulation based on your previous month. Well. I managed to fall pregnant not once, but twice in the space of 8 months. The first time around, I thought it was my fault and I had not taken my temps properly (even though I never had an issue in the past). I had a surgical abortion as I was 3 months pregnant before I actually found out. I was willing to try again and really get to grips with it even though the clinic was very strongly advising me to go on some form of HBC. In the past 6 months, my body has recovered from the abortion and got back into its usual swing of periods and I saw I was ovulating again. This time around I invested in an Oura ring to pair with my NC app to be certain of my temps being taken. All was well, I stuck to my green and red days religiously. I use the pull-out method on red days (if we do have sex). And I trust our pull-out method completely because we definitely know he does not ejaculate inside of me or we tend to stick to oral sex rather than penetrative. I noticed my temperatures lately had been higher than usual and my ovulation was confirmed a bit earlier than usual. I didn't think much of it as I had stuck to our red days and green days as shown. When I went on calendar view, I saw that my fertile window just gone was a lot shorter than 6 days and I had unprotected sex (on a green day) that was 2 days before I ovulated. I did a test and indeed am pregnant yet again. I contacted NC straight away and got them to go through my data, which they did and have taken full responsibility for the muck up with their algorithm. I advise you to check your fertile windows and note any other observations (cervical mucus), because the algorithm cannot be trusted. And from what I now know, ovulation may change throughout different cycles (stress, sleep etc). I will no longer be using them ever again which is sad as I did so enjoy using it.

Amazing

First few months lots of ‘red’ days (no unprotected sex days). Coming off the pill was a personal choice and brought back lots of issues i.e needing prescription pain medication. However, my sex drive and mental health have significantly improved and impacted on my relationship. I’ve used natural cycles for 2 years religiously and no problems or pregnancy.

I’ve been using the Natural Cycles app with the Oura Ring for about 6 months now, and it has been the best thing I’ve ever done! No side effects and I’ve never felt so informed about my body. I love that the app also informs my partner of when green/red days begin, so the contraceptive burden is on him too (in that he doesn’t have to ask me what type of day it is - we both know, which is nice). For peace of mind, I used the Oura ring for an initial period of three months to let the Natural Cycles app gather data on my basal temperature, whilst using condoms as a contraceptive. Then, when I felt confident that the app had a few months of data (and I was familiar with my own patterns/regular cycles), my partner and I reduced condom use to red days only. We have had zero pregnancy scares in 6 months, and using this as contraception has vastly improved our sex life. I’d honestly recommend it to anyone who is looking to escape hormonal contraceptives. The Oura Ring is expensive, but there’s no way I could remember to take my temperature every morning otherwise (and no way am I setting my alarm every morning… Sundays are for sleeping in!), so I’d recommend buying one if you do plan to use this as a long-term contraceptive and don’t want to be chained to the digital thermometer/same wake-up time every day.