Natural Cycles and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Comprehensive Guide
Does Natural Cycles work with PCOS? While Natural Cycles can be used with PCOS, it’s crucial to understand that its effectiveness may be reduced and requires diligent use and a deep understanding of the challenges PCOS presents to cycle tracking.
Understanding PCOS and Its Impact on Ovulation
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It’s characterized by irregular or absent ovulation, high levels of androgens (male hormones), and/or the presence of cysts on the ovaries. These hormonal imbalances significantly impact the menstrual cycle, making predicting ovulation challenging. This irregularity directly impacts the accuracy of fertility awareness methods like Natural Cycles.
How Natural Cycles Works
Natural Cycles is a FDA-cleared birth control app that uses basal body temperature (BBT) readings to predict ovulation and fertility. Users take their temperature every morning before getting out of bed and input it into the app. The app then uses an algorithm to determine if the user is likely to be fertile (“red days”) or not (“green days”). To effectively prevent pregnancy, users must abstain from unprotected sex or use protection on “red days.”
Challenges of Using Natural Cycles with PCOS
The effectiveness of Natural Cycles heavily relies on consistent and predictable ovulation. PCOS often disrupts this process, leading to several challenges:
- Irregular Cycles: PCOS is notorious for causing irregular or absent periods, making it difficult to establish a baseline for BBT readings.
- Anovulation: Some women with PCOS may not ovulate regularly, or even at all. Without ovulation, there’s no temperature shift to detect, rendering the algorithm less accurate.
- Fluctuating Hormones: Hormonal imbalances in PCOS can lead to erratic BBT readings, making it harder to identify a clear ovulation pattern.
- Difficulty in Identifying Temperature Shifts: Subtle temperature shifts can be difficult to detect in women with PCOS due to hormonal irregularities.
Benefits of Using Natural Cycles with PCOS (If Done Correctly)
Despite the challenges, Natural Cycles can offer some benefits to women with PCOS, if used cautiously and with a clear understanding of its limitations:
- Cycle Awareness: It can help women become more aware of their bodies and menstrual cycles, even if irregular.
- Potential Insight into Ovulation: While less reliable than in women without PCOS, consistent tracking may reveal patterns or signals of ovulation over time.
- Non-Hormonal Option: For women seeking a non-hormonal method of family planning or cycle tracking, Natural Cycles offers an alternative to hormonal birth control.
- Tracking of Other Symptoms: The app allows you to track other symptoms, such as mood changes and bloating, which can be valuable for understanding your overall health and PCOS symptoms.
Steps for Using Natural Cycles with PCOS
If you choose to use Natural Cycles with PCOS, follow these guidelines carefully:
- Consult a Healthcare Provider: Discuss your plans with a doctor or healthcare provider experienced in PCOS management.
- Understand the Limitations: Acknowledge that Natural Cycles may be less effective and more prone to errors with PCOS.
- Consistent BBT Tracking: Take your BBT at the same time every morning, before getting out of bed. Use a basal body thermometer for accuracy.
- Diligently Log Data: Record all temperature readings and any other relevant symptoms (e.g., cervical mucus, spotting).
- Use Extra Protection: Consider using condoms or other barrier methods on all days, especially in the beginning, to be extra cautious.
- Consider Additional Fertility Signs: Monitor other fertility signs like cervical mucus and ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) to supplement BBT readings.
- Be Prepared for More “Red Days”: Expect more “red days” due to the app’s conservative approach to identifying fertility.
- Consider Alternatives: Explore other fertility awareness methods or birth control options that may be more suitable for PCOS.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Natural Cycles with PCOS can be tricky. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Relying solely on Natural Cycles for Birth Control: This is particularly risky due to the potential for inaccurate readings and unpredictable ovulation.
- Ignoring Other Fertility Signs: Don’t rely solely on BBT readings. Track other signs like cervical mucus and use OPKs.
- Not Consulting a Healthcare Provider: Seek guidance from a doctor experienced in PCOS and fertility awareness methods.
- Inconsistent Tracking: Irregular BBT measurements will drastically reduce the app’s accuracy.
- Assuming the Algorithm “Knows” You Have PCOS: The algorithm is designed for regular cycles. It doesn’t automatically adjust for PCOS-related irregularities.
- Ignoring Body Signals: Pay attention to your body’s signals, such as pain or bloating, even if the app indicates you are not fertile.
Table: Comparing Natural Cycles to Other Methods for PCOS
| Method | Effectiveness with PCOS | Ease of Use | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Cycles | Lower | Moderate | Low to Med | Requires diligent tracking, less reliable than other methods. |
| OPKs | Moderate | Easy | Low | Can be helpful for detecting ovulation, but PCOS can cause false positives. |
| Fertility Monitor | Moderate to High | Moderate | Med to High | Monitors hormones, but can still be affected by PCOS fluctuations. |
| Hormonal Birth Control | High | Easy | Low to Med | Effective at preventing pregnancy, but doesn’t address PCOS symptoms. |
| IUD | High | Easy | Med to High | Effective at preventing pregnancy, can impact periods. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Natural Cycles diagnose PCOS?
No, Natural Cycles cannot diagnose PCOS. It is a fertility awareness method that tracks temperature and cycle data. Diagnosis of PCOS requires a medical evaluation by a healthcare professional, including blood tests and potentially an ultrasound.
Is Natural Cycles safe for someone with PCOS trying to conceive?
Natural Cycles can be used to track cycles when trying to conceive, but it is not a diagnostic tool. If you have PCOS and are trying to conceive, it’s crucial to work with a doctor or fertility specialist to monitor ovulation and potentially utilize fertility treatments.
How accurate is Natural Cycles for predicting ovulation in PCOS?
The accuracy of Natural Cycles for predicting ovulation is lower in women with PCOS compared to those with regular cycles. PCOS related hormonal fluctuations and irregular ovulation patterns make it more challenging for the algorithm to accurately predict fertile windows.
What other fertility signs should I track besides BBT if I have PCOS and use Natural Cycles?
If you have PCOS and are using Natural Cycles, it’s highly recommended to track other fertility signs in addition to BBT. These include cervical mucus consistency, ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), and any physical symptoms like bloating or mittelschmerz (mid-cycle pain).
Does Natural Cycles take into account that I have PCOS?
The Natural Cycles algorithm does not automatically account for PCOS. It relies on BBT data to predict ovulation. As it doesn’t directly address PCOS related information, it’s important to use it with caution and awareness of the limitations of the data.
Can Natural Cycles help me manage my PCOS symptoms?
Natural Cycles is not designed to directly manage PCOS symptoms. However, by tracking your cycle and symptoms, it may provide insights into patterns and correlations, which can be helpful when discussing your condition with your healthcare provider.
What are the advantages of using Natural Cycles compared to other birth control methods for PCOS?
The main advantage of Natural Cycles is that it’s a non-hormonal option. For women with PCOS who prefer to avoid hormonal birth control, it provides an alternative method of tracking fertility, though less reliable than other methods for preventing pregnancy.
What are the disadvantages of using Natural Cycles compared to other birth control methods for PCOS?
The main disadvantage is its reduced effectiveness in women with PCOS due to irregular ovulation. This requires more diligent use, the use of backup protection, and a thorough understanding of PCOS. Other birth control methods like hormonal birth control or IUDs are generally more reliable for preventing pregnancy.
How often should I have unprotected sex on “green days” if I have PCOS and use Natural Cycles?
Because PCOS can make ovulation unpredictable, even on “green days,” it is generally recommended to use protection on all days if preventing pregnancy is your goal. This significantly reduces the risk of unplanned pregnancy compared to relying solely on Natural Cycles’ predictions.
What if my temperature readings are consistently erratic when using Natural Cycles with PCOS?
Consistently erratic temperature readings are common with PCOS and indicate that the Natural Cycles algorithm may not be providing accurate information. In this case, consult with a healthcare provider to discuss alternative methods of tracking ovulation or birth control.
Can I use Natural Cycles while taking medication for PCOS, such as Metformin?
Using Natural Cycles while taking medication for PCOS like Metformin is possible, but it’s essential to discuss this with your doctor. While Metformin may help regulate cycles, its effects on BBT and the Natural Cycles algorithm are not fully understood.
What happens if Natural Cycles gives me a false positive for ovulation?
A false positive for ovulation with Natural Cycles can lead to unprotected sex during a fertile period, increasing the risk of pregnancy. This is why using barrier methods or abstaining on all “red” days and understanding the limitations of the data are crucial when using the app with PCOS.