Getting off BC but NTTC

PolkadotAP

H and I are considering getting off the pill. It just doesn't have good effects on my body. I have tried 5 different BC in 5 years. I am not comfortable with using implant BC or taking shots. We aren't planning to have children for a couple of years but feel like I need to get off of it due to its effects on my body. My mom couldn't take it either for some one the same reasons. Any good cycle tracking apps or pointers?

Amt2109

I believe most of the ladies here use fertilityfriend.com (someone will pop in with a link in their siggy I'm sure).

I would also read the book 'Taking Care of your Fertility' - a very interesting read and it will tell you about using charting as a method of birth control.

I wouldn't use it on its own as BC without also using a barrier method for at least a few months while you get to grips with how it all works.

PolkadotAP

Thanks, Do you have to pay for Fertility Friend?

Apollo11235

I'm about to go off BCP as well to hopefully stop some side effects, also not TTC for a year or two. Definitely read TCOYF and get a bbt thermometer. I've also decided I'll probably use tcoyf.com instead of Fertility Friend, because the latter is very TTC-oriented, while tcoyf.com is more friendly to TTA. That said, I'm going to chart for a while on both until I decide which one I like for sure.

Both sites have free memberships and paid memberships. The free ones are more basic, but they should have all you need.

Whatever you do, please don't use any kind of basic "period tracker" for birth control - that is the rhythm method, which is highly ineffective.

dancingphalanges

I also went off BC due to unpleasant effects on my body and mood, despite the type I tried.  I haven't been on BC for about a year now, but DH and I are very safe and generally use condoms.  We are also planning to TTC in a couple of years.  I will definitely be looking into these fertility trackers, as it's something I have been interested in, but unsure of which ones to trust.

hesakeeper

The PP that suggested the book, it's actually called Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

And you could also try OPKs (Ovulation predictor kits) that are super cheap on Amazon so you can test when you're ovulating, and therefore not having sex on those days. 

Apollo11235

hesakeeper:

The PP that suggested the book, it's actually called Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

And you could also try OPKs (Ovulation predictor kits) that are super cheap on Amazon so you can test when you're ovulating, and therefore not having sex on those days. 

Yes, the book title is Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I hadn't noticed that in PP.

 If you're TTA, OPKs are not very helpful. You need to avoid for about a week before ovulation in order to be safe, and OPKs only turn positive the day before or day of ovulation. So if you were to wait until a +OPK to avoid, you'd likely be in trouble. You could use them to corroborate other evidence of ovulation if you wanted to, but I wouldn't use them as a predictor of ovulation for TTA.

jd_bridetobe

Amt2109:

I would also read the book 'Taking Care of your Fertility' - a very interesting read and it will tell you about using charting as a method of birth control.

 I can't recommend this book enough! So much valuable information. Honestly, I read it and wondered why they don't teach that stuff to us in health class! Lol!