Fertility Apps — Fertility Awareness Project

So you want to chart your cycles for natural birth control? The fertility awareness method (FAM) is a practice of charting your fertility biomarkers, or your ovulation signs, to identify when in the cycle you’re fertile and when you’re infertile.

The cool thing about FAM is that you’re making observations, recording the data, and then using that information to make decisions! If you want to use FAM effectively, you’ll need a few things to keep track and interpret that ovulation data. With the boom of Femtech, and dozens of fertility apps available on the app store, how do you choose which app and thermometer to use?

Understanding Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)

FAM is a natural birth control method based on tracking specific signs of fertility throughout your menstrual cycle. By observing and recording changes in your body, such as basal body temperature and cervical mucus, you can accurately interpret your fertile window and avoid unintended pregnancies. Effective FAM practice relies on accurate data and proper interpretation of your fertility indicators.

daysy or natural cycles: do they work?

You may have seen ads for devices like Natural Cycles or Daysy, and are wondering if those work just as well as learning a method of FAM.

If you have very regular cycles and you would be open to a pregnancy, these apps and devices are a great way to dip your toe into the world of fertility charting.

Fertility apps like Natural Cycles and Daysy are popular choices, but they come with both advantages and limitations:

Temperature-Only Tracking: They rely only on temperature which is a retrospective marker of ovulation. What happens if you were to ovulate earlier than your algorithm predicted? You would miss the signs of cervical mucus as estrogen rises, leading to a potential unintended pregnancy.
Missing Cervical Mucus Integration: Their algorithms don't take into account cervical mucus to open the fertile window. Cervical mucus is the only marker that we can rely on for accurate, real-time information about our fertility. An algorithm cannot predict ovulation, but cervical mucus gives us real time info about our estrogen levels that an algorithm can't interpret.
Algorithm Limitations: They are risky, not relying on the conservative rules that are recognized by fertility awareness based methods. Daysy and Natural Cycles will mark you as safe after a withdrawal bleed which is incredibly risky as you can ovulate immediately after a withdrawal bleed.
Cost and Reliability: Many of these apps require expensive subscriptions and can be less reliable, sometimes showing false temperature shifts.

period tracking apps: are they accurate?

Period tracking apps offer predictions based on historical data but:

Predictive Limitations: Apps with built in fertile window or ovulation predictions, whether they’re marketed as contraception or not, are also relying on predictions to open your fertile window rather than real-time data. This can lead to inaccuracies, particularly for irregular cycles.
Lack of Customization: Many apps do not allow you to manually adjust key markers like coverline and peak day, which are crucial for accurate tracking.

Fertility Awareness vs Period Tracking App Predictions

The difference between an in depth method of fertility awareness (FAM) and a period tracking app, is that with FAM, you’re tracking ovulation in real time.

The primary distinction between a comprehensive FAM approach and a period tracking app lies in how ovulation is monitored. With FAM, you track ovulation in real time by observing and recording your body’s fertility signs, such as basal body temperature and cervical mucus.

Period tracking apps, on the other hand, often rely on historical data and algorithms to predict ovulation, which can lead to inaccuracies. These apps typically do not allow you to manually mark critical data points like the coverline, peak day, and temperature shifts. In contrast, a well-designed FAM app should let you input these details manually for precise tracking.

Many people seek the reassurance of technology to complement their FAM practice, hoping it will reduce user error. However, these apps and devices often capitalize on this desire by offering predictions rather than empowering users to understand their own fertility signals.

By learning FAM, you can become proficient in interpreting your body’s signs, effectively becoming your own algorithm. This hands-on approach allows you to develop a deeper understanding of your cycle and ensures that you are not solely reliant on automated predictions.

i used natural cycles for 3 months and here's what happened

what to look for in a fertility app

Customizable Tracking Options: An ideal app allows you to mark your own coverline, peak day, and temperature shifts. This flexibility ensures you can tailor the app to your specific needs and accurately track your fertility signs.
Manual Input and Adjustments: Look for apps that enable you to manually adjust or disable automatic ovulation predictions and period forecasts. This feature ensures you maintain control over your fertility data and avoid relying solely on algorithmic predictions.
User Autonomy: Choose an app that supports manual data entry and does not claim to provide fertility evaluations or percentages. An app that resembles a traditional paper chart, but in digital form, will give you more control over your data and interpretations. Basically, you want an app that resembles a paper chart but on your phone (and if you’d rather just use a paper chart, you can download one here).

Recommended Apps:

Read Your Body is a fantastic “paper chart on your phone” app that is fully customizable and syncs with Tempdrop.

what about thermometers?

A basal body thermometer is an essential tool for tracking your ovulation signs when using a Symptothermal method. Here’s what to look for in a quality thermometer:

Two Decimal Places: A thermometer that displays temperatures to two decimal places provides the precision needed for accurate tracking of basal body temperature changes.

Direct Reading Capability: Opt for a thermometer that allows you to read the temperature directly from the device without needing to sync with an app. This feature is convenient for quick and accurate readings.

Additional Features: While not mandatory, features like a backlight (for early morning readings) and a temperature recall function can enhance usability and convenience.

Oral basal body thermometers are the gold standard for fertility charting, but many people opt to use a wearable like Tempdrop.

my favourite thermomters

Feeling Empowered with Fertility Charting

With the right tools and knowledge, you can effectively track your fertility signs and use your body as a natural birth control method. Accurate tracking and interpretation of your fertility data are key to successfully using FAM. Whether you choose a fertility app or stick with traditional methods, understanding how to observe and record your fertility indicators will empower you to make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

These tools allow you to observe your fertility signs, so you can identify your fertile and infertile times of the cycle. With that knowledge, your body is your birth control!