Effective Options for Going Off Hormonal Contraception
For many women, the decision to stop using hormonal birth control like the pill or IUD opens up the door to exploring natural birth control methods. These fertility awareness-based options allow you to prevent or plan pregnancy without synthetic hormones.
If you're considering going off birth control, whether to conceive or simply transition to a non-hormonal contraceptive approach, it's important to understand your body's natural cycles and rhythms. Luckily, there are several forms of natural family planning or natural birth control that can be highly effective when practiced correctly.
In this article, I will talk about:
Let's dive into some of the most well-known natural birth control options:
The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)
This method involves tracking your basal body temperature and cervical mucus changes to identify your fertile window each cycle. By avoiding unprotected sex on fertile days, the fertility awareness method can be up to 99% effective with perfect use.
To use basal body temperature tracking, you'll take your resting temperature each morning after waking and chart the results over time. After ovulation, a clear thermal shift of a few tenths of a degree is usually detected. Other secondary signs of fertility like cervical fluid changes are observed as well.
For an easy way to consistently track your BBT, I highly recommend the TempDrop wearable device. TempDrop measures your temperature throughout the night while you sleep, syncing the data to the app so you wake up to an accurate temperature reading each morning.
No missed temps! Get 10% off TempDrop with my link:
The Sympto-Thermal Method
This variation of the fertility awareness method combines basal body temperature charting with additional cycle tracking of cervical mucus observations and other symptoms like mittelschmerz (ovulation pain). Some women find this sympto-thermal approach increases the ability to more accurately pinpoint the fertile window.
With this method, you'll learn to identify changes in your cervical mucus throughout the cycle. Stretchy, egg-white cervical fluid indicates higher fertility, while other times of the cycle you'll experience dryness or sticky, lower-quality mucus. Avoiding unprotected sex on wet days can be an effective form of contraception.
Sympto-Hormonal Methods
Sympto-Hormonal methods have been shown to be "the most effective contraceptive method to detect the fertile window." New technology like wearable sensors (like the TempDrop mentioned above) combined with research on supplementary hormonal markers such as estrogen and luteinizing hormone levels may improve the accuracy and ease of natural birth control moving forward.
For example, at-home fertility testing kits like OOVA allow you to track your actual hormone levels and identify your unique pattern of hormone surges each cycle. This provides another data point beyond temperature and cervical mucus to more precisely pinpoint your fertile window.
To try OOVA hormone testing as part of your natural birth control routine, you can purchase the test bundle here:
Personal hormone monitoring, with kits like Oova, can be simple to use for women who choose to not use other methods of contraception. Combining multiple sympto-hormonal biomarkers has the potential to make fertility awareness methods for natural birth control even more effective and user-friendly in the future.
No matter which fertility awareness method you choose, commitment to consistent tracking and avoiding unprotected sex during the fertile window is key for maximizing effectiveness. Many women find natural birth control to be a rewarding way to tune into their feminine rhythms.
If you are considering stopping hormonal birth control like the pill or IUD, it's wise to work with a healthcare provider familiar with natural family planning, like myself. We can guide you through the transition while recommending the right natural birth control option for your needs and lifestyle.
The Role of a Naturopathic Doctor
As a naturopathic doctor specializing in women's health, I take an individualized approach when guiding my patients through the transition off hormonal birth control like the pill, patch, ring or IUD. Every woman's body is different, so the process requires patience, education, and empowerment.
Through consultations, we discuss their reasons for wanting to stop using hormonal contraception - whether it's to try for pregnancy, relieve side effects or simply let the body re-regulate naturally. I provide resources on tracking basal body temperature, cervical fluid observations and other fertility signs so they can start getting in touch with their innate cycles.
My role is to be their trusted source for evidence-based information on natural birth control options like the fertility awareness method and optimal times to avoid unprotected sex. We may also incorporate supportive diet, lifestyle and supplementation protocols to help facilitate a smoother hormonal transition based on their individualized needs.
Ultimately, my goal is to give women the tools for body literacy so they can tune into their feminine rhythms and take an empowered approach to their reproductive health, whether using natural birth control methods, preparing for conception or simply appreciating their menstrual cycles.
Related Articles:
Resources and Research:
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*Dr. Francesca works only with patients physically located in California.*
*Disclaimer: Although I am a doctor, I may not be your doctor. The information contained within the pages of this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat conditions. Please consult with your doctor before implementing any of the treatments, diets, supplements, etc. mentioned in this blog.*
*Dr. Francesca is an affiliate for Amazon and other companies. Some links contained within the blog posts may be affiliate links from which she receives a small commission to help support her practice at no extra cost to the customer.*
