Does Cycle Tracking Really Work?
Source: https://femmhealth.org/the-science/
Cycle tracking has gained more popularity in recent years as women have become more aware of the undesirable side effects and risks of hormonal birth control. Did you know that your reproductive hormones – estrogen and progesterone affect every system of your body?
Hormonal birth control works by halting the natural production of these hormones by providing constant, low levels of synthetic hormones to suppress the natural hormonal activity in a woman’s body.
Cycle tracking is simple: it means keeping an eye on your menstrual cycle and other body changes to figure out when you are most likely to get pregnant. You record details like the first day of your period, the length of bleeding, and any signs of fertility like changes in cervical mucus or a slight rise in body temperature. It is a drug free way to manage your fertility.
Women also like cycle tracking because as they learn more about their body and what is considered normal, they are more likely to notice any unusual changes that could be an indicator for a serious issue. At Sienna Women’s Health, we encourage women to take an interest in their own health, and that could look like becoming more aware of your cycle.
How cycle tracking works
Did you know that women are only fertile for about 12-24 hours of their cycle? This period of fertility is called ovulation. However, in the medical world we consider a woman’s fertile window to be 5 days long, because sperm can live inside a woman for up to 5 days and potentially fertilize an egg even if the woman did not engage in intercourse on the exact day of ovulation.
To predict ovulation, there are a few popular methods:
- Tracking cervical mucus, Have you ever noticed a slippery clear mucus on your underwear? This is your body’s natural sign that ovulation is approaching. Your cervical mucus is clearer and stretchier around ovulation and then disappears altogether when you are no longer fertile.
- Ovulation Prediction kits By peeing on a stick and using your phone to read the results, you can get a picture of your fertile window. These ovulation sticks can be purchased at a reasonable price on Amazon.
- The basal body temperature (BBT) method, which uses a special thermometer to note small temperature changes. An increase or decrease in temperature can determine whether or not you are fertile. This method is difficult to master and was more popular before the increased accessibility of ovulation tests, but it may work for some women.
Some women use mobile apps that combine these signs and give daily reminders. No matter which method you choose, consistency and patience are key. One great app is the FEMM Health App. You can find more information at femmhealth.org
Measuring effectiveness
No birth control method is 100 percent perfect. Typical use of the cycle tracking cervical mucus observation + ovulation test strips have a failure rate of around 2-8 %[1]. Compare this to condoms, however, which have a 18-21% failure rate with typical use. Effectiveness of fertility awareness methods depends on consistency and learning. A study in the Journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that motivated women who track daily and follow rules closely see better results. If you misread signs, you could have an unprotected fertile window without realizing it.
Pros and Cons of Natural Birth Control
Cycle tracking has some clear benefits. It is free or very low cost, easy to start, and has no side effects. It also has the benefit of no added synthetic hormones. Fertility awareness lets you work with your body, not against it. Many women also love that they learn so much about their bodies and can identify different biomarkers. Cycle tracking can also lead to early detection of health issues if a woman notices something off about her cycle.
There are some downsides however. Cycle tracking does take some time to learn and has quite a large learning curve to it. When a woman is still learning, it is best to abstain from sex in case she misread anything. It can also be slightly more difficult if your periods are irregular. However, that should not stop you from learning, as there are so many resources available for women with irregular cycles and plenty of women are still able to use cycle tracking, even when their period isn’t consistent.
Tips for successful cycle tracking
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of cycle tracking:
- Record your period start and end dates right away.
- Take your temperature (or pee on the ovulation predictor stick) each morning at the same time.
- Note the texture and color of your cervical mucus daily and right it down.
- Research the specific method you want to use and learn all that you can.
Using a simple notebook or a reputable app can make things easier. If you miss a day, mark it and be cautious about unprotected sex until you are sure about your fertile window again.
Is Cycle Tracking Right For You?
Cycle tracking can be an effective natural birth control method if you are willing to commit to daily records. It comes with no side effects and helps you learn a lot about your body. But it also demands discipline and may not suit everyone. Whether or not you decide to make the switch, every woman should know what is happening during her cycle. Start by tracking cervical mucus and see if you can notice the changes throughout the month. Even this small amount of tracking can teach you so much about yourself.
At Sienna Women’s Health, we are here to support you. Whether you want guidance on cycle tracking or need information about pregnancy options, our friendly staff can help you make the best choice for your body and your future.