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Anyone use FF? (long & possible TMI)
So I see my OBGYN tomorrow to figure out what to do about my birth control, changing it or whatever... reasons:
I hate it, I have no libido, or if I do it's really REALLY rare
my boobs hurt and are STILL growing (I've gone up almost a full cup size since I bought bras in November 
and this might not be so bad if they weren't gimundo to begin with, DH loves it, but I want to scream when I bump them.)
I'm still not losing any weight, I know that's primarily due to my thyroid (I'm seeing a new endocrinologist next Wednesday) but after gaining a ton of weight on Depo my Gyn thought I'd at least lose 5-10 lbs over the first few months... it's been like 6 or 7.
Lastly, b/c I have such bad thyroid issues, and I'm overweight, AND we have a family history of fertility issues... I have no idea if I even can ovulate, while we're not gung ho on trying for kids at this exact moment, it'd be nice to know if, when we want to, that's it's possible without problems.
Now, I'm not exactly charting to AIDE conception, but more to prevent it. I think, although it's gone against everything I've ever done, we're going to chart, and only do the deed on "safe" days and use condoms on/around days I may be fertile. I have NEVER not been on birth control so this kind of scares me, but I don't want an IUD and any hormonal BC is going to have side effects that I want to do without. (I'm also allergic to latex, so using condoms all the time would suck and cost a boat load of $$)
Of course I'm going to discuss all of this with my Dr. first, but this is the best plan we've come up with so far. Maybe she'll have other suggestions (although she told me last visit they were going to hinge bets on an 11.11.11 or 12.12.12 baby for us... I really hope she was joking 
Back to the point, does anyone else use FF to track, or NFP?? This is an entirely new concept to me (never heard of it before the nest) and I'm interested in any opinions. TIA
Re: Anyone use FF? (long & possible TMI)
I use FF, and I find it pretty easy to use (and it will tell you if you have or are ovulating by the stats you update each day). Basically it makes a graph out of your morning temps + CM. The thing I like about the site is that it interprets the graph for you and alerts you if/when you ovulate. They also have a "game" section where you have to guess the ovulation date of many graphs, so it gets you familiar with what it looks like on a graph.
I read Taking Control of Your Fertility first and it really explains it in simple detail so that I understood easily (for getting pregnant, for natural bc and just understanding your cycles in general).
Missing our little turkey.
Estimated Due Date 11/13/12 | Natural Miscarriage 4/17/12
And I have heard great things about Taking Control of your fertility.
I use www.femilia.com I have been tracking for about 16 months and I absolutely will never go back to using any other method. I started to use it as prevention, and technically still do - but now I know my body so well that when it's time to TTC, we should have it easy as far as timing.
I started by logging any noticeable symptoms, because in the beginning I had no idea what the symptoms meant. TMI - I track when I feel any cramping (I cramp at ovulation as well) I track my mucus regularly (its ridic what that sh!t will tell you!) I track when my gums bleed (evidently it's 6 days before my period arrives!) I track breast tenderness as well, I track my moods, or cleaning habits, etc.
I also track when we have sex, for various reasons really. If anything ever happened, I'd want a clear date of when the magic occured lol and I also like to keep track for my sex drive. It was evident after a few months when my libido was upppp!
Anyway, I love it and wouldn't change my method for anything. I was on BC for years in HS and college, and I went through mood swings, weight gain, etc.. never again!
Any questions, please feel free to ask!
Do people use FertilityFriend.com or Fertility-Friend.com?
I am not ttc, but have always been bad about even keeping track of my period (Yes, I am 33 and I know that's awful!) so maybe this would help me keep up with myself. lol
Missing our little turkey.
Estimated Due Date 11/13/12 | Natural Miscarriage 4/17/12
The whole CM thing really confuses the He!! out of me, my dr was talking to me about it when I went in a few weeks ago and I know I was giving her the "HUH??" look. Maybe I will have to get that book. I haven't been on BCP for over a year and have been using the P and O tracker app on my phone, but it's not all that sophisticated and apparently I need more knowledge on the subject.
Kearstin-I may be emailing you for advice when I get to work, I think I have your email from the Lemon Cleanse phase
Other O trackers can be confusing they say, because most go off of a regular 28-day cycle where you O on day 14 (a lot of women don't have 28-day cycles, and if they do you are not necessarily the most fertile on day 14). When you read TCOYF they show you how to actually know when you're fertile from CM (and they explain what to look for and it's very descriptive) and waking temps....it's pretty cool and easy once you read a bit about it!
Sure! I learned a lot from my acupuncturist - she, being very nature-oriented, obv wanted me off BCP and to fully understand my own body.
Nooooooo!!!!!!!! I don't want to read about cervical mucus! Blech!
I don't use latex condoms, but I'm not allergic latex.
Skyn condoms aren't latex, and they feel close to nothing, and they cost the same as regular condoms. So you're not really spending that much money.
bloggity blog
Ugh... I wish I could go NFP right this minute.
Anastasia - I'm in the same boat with family fertility issues. My mom didn't have any problem, as all 4 of her daughters were kind of unexpected (she was actually on the pill with my youngest sister), but 2 aunt's on my dad's side have had to adopt (they now have amazing families though!). my genetics knowledge is weak in understanding how fertility is passed on, but I'm definitely concerned.
Right now I have Implanon (we've talked about it), which is great, and I highly recommend it for those looking for solid BC. But I guess I'm kind of over the need for ABSOLUTE protection, and I'm especially over hormone 'alteration'.
The problem I have is a "need" for BC hormones to keep my acne under control. I've tried twice in the last 6 years to go off BC, and I was so miserable with excruciatingly painful breakouts. Like giant sores on my face. I've talked with multiple dermatologists, and they all want to put me on intense sh*t, even accutane. And both times I opted to go back on BC.
Next summer (2012) I'm due to get the Implanon removed, and I don't think I'll get a new one... maybe I'll just need to get knocked up ASAP to prevent my face from going all "15-years old" again. I'm just hoping that's possible.
Diana, thanks, I'm going to look for those. We haven't used condoms in ages so I don't think I've ever seen those, thanks for the tip!
Emily, I have the same problem with my acne, and did accutane (DO NOT DO IT!) I just can't deal with the hormones/weight gain anymore and the Dr. agreed today and told me to stop after this pack. She said it's going to be trial and error, so we'll see.
BC never helped my skin, I actually developed the cysts while on BC so mine is non-hormonal. The best thing I've done was go to an estetician (sp?) at a spa and do an oxygen facial and skin diagnosis. My skin looks better with the products they gave then it's looked since I was 20. I owe my wedding day skin to the products. And it was actually my primary who suggested the facial and all that.
And to everyone else, thank you soo much for your input, we're going with NFP and will use condoms until I get regular. If I don't get regular by April I have to go back in. No more CM talk
) And I'm going to stick with FF for tracking, which my Dr. said is one of the best sites for it.
Anastasia - No prob! I'm more than happy to help! Once I found them on the shelf (I initially didn't know that they weren't latex) and later read all the info on them, I wasn't sure what to think of them. But I haven't gone back (unless Ryan gets the wrong ones). I also find that they don't dry out as easily, we've used another kind recently and ehhh, I don't like that one so much.