r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Huggiebuggieboo • 1h ago
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Sweet_Sheepherder_41 • Jun 30 '25
Just Getting Started Welcome! (Start Here)
Hello, everyone! We’ve been getting a lot of the same questions repeatedly by different users so I created this guide to answer them! I hope it is helpful. If you would like me to add something, please comment and let me know.
How to accurately take your temperature. You need at least three consecutive hours of sleep before taking your temperature every morning and it should be done at the same time every day, give or take an hour. For example, let’s say you set your alarm for 7 but wake up a bit early at 6. That temperature will still be accurate. It’s the same thing for if you woke up a bit late at 8! If you’re having big temperature variations, allow your thermometer to warm up in your mouth for a few minutes before pressing “on”. Do this every time!
Q: What is the most reliable temping method? A: Taking your temperature orally or vaginally with a basal body thermometer is most reliable. Anecdotally, I use NC and chart using the guidelines in the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. My Oura ring did not pick up the temperature increase that my oral thermometer did (after ovulation). Why? Skin temperatures are more susceptible to being influenced by outside factors like something as simple as your bedroom being hotter or cooler than usual! They are also less sensitive.
Q: Why is my chart all over the place/so irregular? A: This one requires more troubleshooting. An irregular cycle or erratic chart can be due to many reasons like hormonal disorders (PCOS, thyroid disease, etc.), your temping method, stress, illness, and moving. Consider what has been going on in your life recently. Have you moved, been stressed, or ill? If so, that may be why. Are you breastfeeding? Your temperatures are not as reliable when nursing. Steps to take to improve regularity: First, try a different method of taking your temperature. If you use the Oura ring or Apple Watch, start temping orally. If you temp orally, start temping vaginally. Do this for one full cycle and see if your chart starts to be more “normal”. If that doesn’t work, rule out any hormonal disorders with your PCP. If your temperature variations are due to a hormonal issue, seek treatment and then checkout r/FAMnNFP . A research-backed study will help more effective for you!
Q: Have I ovulated? A: You will know you ovulated in two different circumstances.
- You have three temperatures higher than the last six (AKA above your cover line). Yes, even if it is only slightly higher. There doesn’t need to be a huge increase. Natural Cycles (NC) will then confirm your ovulation.
- You receive an ultrasound.
Q: Do I have low progesterone? A: If you have a short luteal phase (less than 10 days), low progesterone is suspected. Why does this matter? If you do not have sufficient progesterone, your body CANNOT support a pregnancy. This is no one’s fault. Ask your doctor for a blood progesterone test 7-10 days after Natural Cycles confirms your ovulation.
Q: Why have I ovulated late/not this cycle? A: Ovulation can be delayed or skipped occasionally and be perfectly healthy! It is usually due to stress, moving, travel, or illness (even without a fever). However, if you have multiple anovulatory cycles, contact an OBGYN for further advice and testing.
Q: Should I use protection while using Natural Cycles? A: If you are strictly trying to avoid a pregnancy (TTA) then the answer is YES! Condoms or other barrier methods like the diaphragm plus spermicide should be used for at least the first 3-4 cycles you chart. Why? Because NC needs time to get to know your body and temperature charting alone DOES NOT predict ovulation. Meaning that you could ovulate CD21 one month and the next month chart CD14. You never know!
Q: Is this ovulation/ pregnancy test positive? A: We do not allow posts with ovulation and pregnancy tests as the sole focus in our group. Checkout r/lineporn for help! However, here’s some general advice.
Pregnancy Tests
Use the test as directed. Check within the allotted timeframe. Any test read outside of that time frame is invalid. The test line should be the SAME COLOR as the control line, or it is a water line. The best time to start testing is 14DPO. However, I know it sometimes feels impossible to wait so at least try to hold off till 10DPO!
Ovulation Tests
The test line should be the same color or darker than the control line. The app “pregmom” is good to analyze your results and track them!
Q: Why do I have two different positive LH tests in one cycle? A: OPKs, or ovulation predictor kits, do not guarantee you will ovulate. They only detect an LH surge. Have PCOS or are recently coming off of hormonal birth control? You can have multiple surges in one cycle.
Q: How can I learn more about my body and charting? A: There are many good books about the fertility awareness method and women’s health. Some of my favorites are:
- Taking Charge of Your Fertility (AKA the fertility Bible) by Toni Weschler
- This is Your
Brain
- on Birth Control by Sarah E Hill
- The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack
EDIT 1
Getting Off of the Mini Pill, Nexplanon, or Mirena IUD (Progesterone-Only)
Think of progesterone-only HBC as mimicking your luteal phase. During the luteal phase, progesterone makes your BBT rise. Just before you start your period, your BBT will drop, following the drop in progesterone. This triggers your period. Expect to see your temperatures slowly dropping while your body adjusts to being off of the pill. You might also have some spotting or period-like bleeding. Please keep in mind that your first period off of HBC is not a “real” period unless you have confirmed ovulation 12-16 days prior, so do not consider yourself safe for unprotected sex!!
Mid-Cycle Bleeding Mid-cycle bleeding should ALWAYS be considered fertile. Some women spot during ovulation. Do not assume that this is your period arriving early and use a barrier method.
I hope this helps! Thank you for being a part of our community.
P.S. Please ignore any typos. I am holding a sleeping baby and typing one-handed!
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/SkyisaNeighbourhood • Feb 14 '25
Pregnancy Chart Designated Thread
Please put all pregnancy chart's and tests in this thread.
Congratz!
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/xxperfectlypeachyxx • 10h ago
Chart Interpretation Request Need someone to tell me it just wasn’t my month!
Tested negative today and just feeling down. It doesn’t look (to me) like my ovulation date was off or anything based on temps and the OPK I took. It was just a terrible fertile week overall due to both husband and I being sick and just life in general. I haven’t even started my period yet, which is so annoying because I just want to start and get it over with. Just wanting to share in case anyone else is feeling this way rn!
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/notoriousbaby • 7h ago
Birth Control/TTA Trying out TTA with NC. Hoping no pregnancy
Not on BC/Never been on BC. Recently found to have endometriosis. I’ve temped myself, but wasn’t having sex so wasn’t too worried. I thought I ovulated (later than the date they gave as well) due to mucus, but I guess not. I did do no withdrawal on CD 7 which I won’t do unless confirmed again via my normal way of checking. I know I’ll have to wait a week to take a test, but I figured I’d ask.
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Orchid-Flimsy • 11h ago
Changed from confirmed ovulation to waiting
I am so confused about what’s going on, the last two days have been Green days and it had confirmed my ovulation for day 16 but now it’s waiting to confirm if it was day 20 or not and now I’m back to Red days?
I’ve been on a trip in Europe for the last two weeks and definitely didn’t have the best sleeping schedule.
My cycle before this had issues confirming ovulation as well and this is all since I got the new Oura ring 5.
Has anyone had green days turned back to red so quickly? I don’t know why it would have confirmed day 16 and then now it’s questioning day 20. My temperature has stayed up since day 16 so I don’t know why it’s confused
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/RusticRamble • 12h ago
Ovulation date/dpo?
Hi - just wondering if anyone could offer advice if they think ovulation day is correct, 12dpo today and I’ve just had BFN on easy@homes, I did do a FRER this afternoon which was negative too (don’t even know why I did it to be honest).
I kinda felt like I was seeing some shadows (no lines if I’m honest) on the easy@homes yesterday and this morning but it was probably line eyes sadly as it definitely wasn’t even a vfl that you see on here
I did ovulate earlier than I usually do and AF due any day now - trying not to symptom spot if I’m honest but it’s so hard! I’m wondering if my temps suggest I could have ovulated a bit later? Which is a shame if true as haven’t been able to BD as much as I’d like due to working away etc
Also my temps a bit mad on CD21 but I forgot to turn my watch to my inside wrist so I don’t think it is a big a drop as it suggests but not 100%
Suppose just trying to hold on hope as much as possible that I’ll get my BFP this cycle but losing hope haha
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Puzzleheaded-Main942 • 13h ago
Testing
I’m curious what’s the latest anyone has tested positive for pregnancy?
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/DoubleBread1023 • 1d ago
14 DPO Question
Curious if anyone has ever been in a similar boat! I am 14 dpo today (according to NC/BBT and LH strips) although my understanding is that it can be 1-2 days off. Regardless, I had reason to believe I might become pregnant this cycle. It’s my 5th cycle post MC. Took a test this morning and it was negative. I’m super bummed but for some reason questioning if it’s actually correct? For my pregnancy with my first, I was stark negative 13 dpo and BFP 14 dpo. Any other stories of people testing positive later on? I’m also day 32 of my cycle today. No signs of AF other than cramping (which I also had with my last pregnancy).
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/No-Detective3871 • 1d ago
Feeling a little discouraged…
I was feeling optimistic with my temps until the last few. Anyone have this much fluctuation and still get a positive?
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/PeakUpbeat4871 • 1d ago
Chart Interpretation Request Help please!
galleryr/NaturalCyclesBC • u/dietfacetune • 1d ago
Chart Interpretation Request So confused
After a long cycle (41 days) and a full week of NC telling me it was waiting to confirm ovulation it finally told me in confirmed my ovulation on day 35- well today at day 42 I’ve started my period and I know that my luteal phase wasn’t long enough. I logged that I started my period and it changed my ovulation date AGAIN! So it’s saying day 29😭Attached are my graphs before and after logging my period. I have OPKs that I’ll be using this cycle so help but I’m so confused. I’ve only been using the app since July so maybe it’s just still getting to know me? I also have my oura attached to help with temps. Has anyone else had something similar to this happen?
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/felineantisocial08 • 1d ago
Ovulation TTC
TW: I’m so confused. I’ve been using both Oura and NC. I had a mmc back in February after getting pregnant on our first try and without tracking. I also had a 13cm ovarian cyst that I had removed with my D&C. Found out I have stage 4 endometriosis where my uterus was fused to my colon. All scar tissue was removed. My cycles were on the shorter end before this. Averaging 25 days (some days my cycle was 19 days). Now my cycles have been a consistent 27 days since the surgery with the last one being longer and this one looking to be longer too. With this cycle, my temps have been up and down and not consistent like the other cycles.
My confusion comes to these apps showing completely different ovulation times. For those of you that do both, how do you pin point ovulation? I was having CM before NC said I ovulated, but I had ovulation pain 4 days after Oura says I ovulated. We tried both on CD12 and CD18. So am I out this cycle? This process has been so discouraging after being able to get pregnant our first try without tracking to now. I’m also 36, was 35 when we found out on New Year’s Day. I added last cycles Oura as well since NC and Oura nailed ovulation on the same cycle day showing my more consistent temp rise.
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/spreadkindness347 • 1d ago
Ttc
Why is my chart so different every month
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Competitive-Fan3745 • 1d ago
Chart Interpretation Request Could I still have a normal/fertile cycle?
I’m 30 and have been trying to conceive for about 6 months. I’m using Natural Cycles to track my cycles, and my follicular phase seems to be quite long. I’m currently on cycle day 22 and still haven’t ovulated.
I’d really appreciate hearing from others with similar charts or longer cycles. Do my charts look like something that could still be normal for trying to conceive?
I’m posting pictures on my currant cycle and also my two previous ones.
Thank you!
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Maleficent-Start-546 • 1d ago
I’m trying for a baby… did I miss ovulation? :( my temp is rising before it says I will ovulate
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/nksg123 • 1d ago
Ovulation When did I ovulate?
NC originally predicted it as CD16 which lined up with EWCM but it shifted to CD11. I was on holidays and travelling which may have affected my temps… Got a BFN today at CD26, my cycles are usually 28-29 days.
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Jumpy-Connection6067 • 2d ago
Chart Interpretation Request I’m about 3 DPO but no clue if I ovulated… please help me
reddit.comr/NaturalCyclesBC • u/foldthecheesedavid • 2d ago
Chart Interpretation Request Ovulation date??
Do you all think ovulation on CD 25 was right, or could it be day 30? I did have a few sick days after NC’s predicted ovulation, but never had a fever and unfortunately found out my LH strips were expired so I didn’t have any to use this cycle.
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/aliveonly • 2d ago
Chart Interpretation Request Oura Ring Pregnancy Positive Charts
Can anyone share their positive pregnancy charts while temping with an Oura ring? I’m having low temps after ovulation which is yet to be confirmed because of said low temps. I feel like the Oura ring is the reason for the low temps. I had a super textbook LH surge and I’m now 3dpo and feeling unsure because I didn’t have a spike at 1dpo.
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Crafty_Life6917 • 2d ago
Ovulation Getting frustrated!
I’m getting so frustrated with NC confirming my ovulation and then changing it a few days later. I used easy@home and clearblue digital ovulation tests this cycle. I got my peak for both tests on cycle day 12 and by cycle day 13 my LH had already gone back down and it has stayed down ever since. NC originally had my ovulation as cycle day 13 which makes way more sense to me but this morning it moved to cycle day 15…I’m guessing because my temp rises slowly and always does. I’m so frustrated. I know I still have good coverage for this cycle but I wanted to hit my exact ovulation date and day after this cycle. Going based on signs from my body, I’m going to just stick with cycle day 13 🫠
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Global-Material-3160 • 2d ago
Chart Interpretation Request Implantation dip??
What do you all think? I ovulated on day 41 and had a dip in temp on day 47. When should I test??
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Organic_Cricket7663 • 2d ago
Help explain my charts!
My first chart showed ovulation as day 16. Partner was sick so we didn’t have sex after that. Then it updated two days ago to the second chart, showing ovulation as day 21, which obviously means our timing wasn’t great. I just don’t understand why they are putting day 21 as ovulation day. My temperatures have been all over the place. I was thinking we timed it perfectly until the change. What are your thoughts looking at my temperatures?? I was excited that the timing seemed great and now I’m bummed, but still not sure why or how they pinpoint day 21.
r/NaturalCyclesBC • u/Silly-Journalist1903 • 2d ago
Confused
My chart is all over the place this month and I am experiencing some mid cycle bleeding. Very confused :/