trying to conceive – Leslie at Chart Your Fertility

A Day in the Life of a Billings Ovulation Method User

Have you ever wanted to know what it is like to chart with the Billings Ovulation Method? This blog attempts to give an overview of what it is like for one individual to chart with the Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) over a single cycle. I go through each day of the cycle and explain my overall charting habits. All times are just approximate. I get personal and discuss some challenges I experience with natural family planning. BOM involves tracking sensation felt at the vulva along with the visible appearance of cervical mucus as a person goes about their day to day activities.

Day 1: Record heavy bleeding. Heavy bleeding feels wet. Done! Users are not allowed to use heavier days in the Billings method when avoiding pregnancy. This is a true day one of a cycle because it was preceded by a Billings peak day.

Day 2: Record heavy bleeding. Heavy bleeding feels wet. Done!

Day 3. Record medium bleeding. Medium bleeding feels wet. Done!

Day 4: Very light bleeding. It is now possible to observe my basic infertile pattern of dry.

8am: I feel dry and see a small amount of blood.

10am: I still feel dry.

8pm: I still feel dry. I see no mucus. Sex is allowed in the evening of this day. We use this day.

Day 5: Extremely light bleeding. Technically this day is not allowed for intercourse since I used the day before and Billings method rotates alternative evenings. We use this day anyway #rulebreaker

Day 6: I feel dry. I do not see anything. I record this day as “possibly fertile” since I broke a rule and used the day before. Every day after intercourse gets this white stamp in the pre-ovulatory time of the cycle.

Day 7: My basic infertile pattern of dry is still there! I notice nothing the entire day in the bathroom and my vulva sensation is dry. Sex is allowed in the evening. I consider my evening 8pm because I go to bed around 9pm on average. We use this day.

Day 8: I feel dry all day and see nothing. However, this day is not allowed since Billings alternates days. We skip this day.

Day 9: I feel dry all day and see nothing. However, we do not use this available day because we are both tired. It happens!

Day 10:

9am: I feel a bit moist. I don’t see anything when wiping in the bathroom.

11am: Still feel moist. I do not see anything in the bathroom.

2pm: Still feel moist. I do not see anything.

4pm: Still moist. Nothing seen.

4:45pm: Walking to my car from work. Still moist!

8pm: Overall observation for the day is moist. I record it. The fertile window has opened. This is known as the point of change.

Day 11:

7am: I feel moist as soon as I walk to the bathroom. I see very scant clear mucus on the tissue.

I do not see or feel anything for the rest of the day.

8pm: Overall observation for the day is “moist, clear”

Day 12:

7am: I feel moist, but see nothing.

10am: I feel moist, but see something white.

8pm: The feeling remains the rest of the day. I record “moist, white” for the day.

Day 13:

7am: I feel dry.

11am: I still feel dry.

1pm: I feel wet sensation when walking to my office. This is a change, so I keep that in mind.

I feel damp the rest of the day. I never see anything in the bathroom. I record “wet” as the most fertile sensation that day.

Day 14:

6:30am: I immediately feel moist.

9am: I see long clear strings when wiping in the bathroom.

11am: I have a wet sensation when walking around.

3pm: I walk around my work place. I still feel moist.

5pm: I see clear strings again.

8pm: I record “wet, clear strings” on my chart.

Day 15:

7am: I feel a gush as soon as I wake up. I do not see anything in the bathroom.

9am: I see scant, clear mucus on the tissue when wiping.

11am: I feel very wet walking around my work place.

1pm: I do not see anything on the tissue.

3pm: I do not see anything on the tissue.

5pm: I feel wet sensation while making dinner.

8pm: I record “wet, clear” as my observation for the day.

Day 16:

7am: I do not feel or see anything when waking up.

9am: I still do not feel or see anything.

12pm: I go for a 20 minute walk. When I get back, I feel slippery sensation. I go to the bathroom and see copious amounts of long, clear mucus.

8pm: I felt slippery the rest of the day. I record “slippery, long clear” on the chart.

Day 17:

6am: I feel dry when waking up.

8am: I don’t see anything or feel anything.

11am: I don’t see anything or feel anything.

8pm: The day was nothing felt, nothing seen all day. I record dry. This means yesterday was my peak day because it was a changing and developing pattern ending in slippery followed by an abrupt dry up to no longer wet or slippery.

Day 18 and Day 19:

I have the same experience as day 17. I pay attention all day and observe no mucus or sensation.

Day 20:

Ovulation is expected to be over and the cervical mucus plug has re-closed for the cycle. Sex is available any time for the rest of the cycle until day one of menstruation occurs. I can chart, but it is not necessary to wait until the evening and observations are less important as sex may interfere at any time.

Day 28: I record heavy bleeding and the rules restart.

Real Talk: Diffulties / Obstacles With Billings Not Seen on the Chart

These are things that I find can be difficul in my own personal experience. I know that people in really long cycles or with other irregularities may have different issues than me.

Challenge One: Alternative evenings only can be a struggle, and it seems even harder for me right before the fertile window opens due to my mood at this time of the cycle. This follicular phase is much longer for me than my luteal phase on average, and this means alternative evenings is the rule for most of my cycle. If someone has a partner with a conflicting schedule, this can especially be offputting. I think anyone who is going to practice this method should consider whether this is practical for their lifestyle.

Challenge Two: Expected abstinence in Billings can be hard, and I have fairly short fertile windows on average. I originally practiced sympto-thermal, and I switched to Billings when I realized that overall consecutive abstinence was much less overall (for my own cycle, Billings: 9 days, Sympto-Thermal: 14+ days). I tend to break some rules still, but this is much more suitable for my fertility intentions level than sympto-thermal.

Look out for my next blog on “A Day in the Life of a Marquette User.”

Disclaimer: Do not try to learn how to chart from this post. Everyone has their own unique cycle and this is just an example of charting with Billings in a regular cycle. Please reach out to me if you would like to learn this method with me as your guide. Alternatively, you can find a teacher here.

An Honest Review of Kegg

The kegg device draws a fertile window to give you the best days for conceiving a pregnancy based on the electrolyte levels present in the vagina. To use this device, someone would insert kegg into the vagina in the same two hour period of time during the day. kegg takes approximately two minutes to give the user a reading on the graph. As a bonus, it also gives you the opportunity to do kegel exercises while using it. Click here to read an article on the science behind kegg.

This product is an exciting development in the femtech field because it actually does read a real-time fertility sign. Cervical mucus is completely necessary for natural conception to occur. Without the presence of cervical mucus in the cervical crypts, sperm cannot to get to their destination to reach the egg. For this reason, anyone trying to conceive needs to track cervical mucus or use an alternative device such as Kegg (or a device that reads estrogen levels) in order to time intercourse for when they are most likely to conceive.

My kegg values compared to my Billings Ovulation Method cervical mucus observations. I believe that the kegg was highly correlated with my actual fertile window based on a traditional fertility awareness based method!

Who is Kegg right for?

It is important to know that kegg is not suitable for avoiding pregnancy. It is designed to find the most suitable days for conception. For those avoiding pregnancy, the fertile window has to be much longer than the window what the kegg gives. Until kegg has been studied for pregnancy avoidance, I cannot recommend it as an alternative to cervical mucus checks which must be made multiple times of day until the evening when someone is strictly avoiding pregnancy.

kegg may be right for someone who wants to conceive without needing to take a class or read a book on cervical mucus. In my experience, for the most part, it detected my most fertile days in a way that would likely lead to conception if used.

kegg may not be right for you if you have a very erratic schedule. Because it has to be used in the same two hours and cannot be used up to 8 hours after sex, this may make Kegg harder to use.

Click here to purchase your kegg!

Customer service with kegg has been excellent. The team is very reachable. If you would like to see more kegg charts and learn from fellow keggsters, you may join the kegg facebook group for conception or for those using it along with other fertility signs to avoid.

Perceived Risk Taking and FABM Use: User’s Perspectives

The following data was collected with permission from 255 total FABM users. Select responses that are representative of the data have been included. At the end of this article, I will draw some possible conclusions from the data. The intentions data in this survey were based on this document.

For FABM instructors: I hope this article helps you think critically about the types of intentions that people have when coming to FABMs.

For Users of FABMs: I hope this article helps you place yourself on the intention scale and make informed choices with your partner.

255 total FABM users took this survey. The questions included: what FABM method was used, how long they had been using a FABM, whether they used phase 1 and phase 3, and reasons for using barrier type methods in the fertile window.

Approximately 62% of respondents were taught by an instructor, while the remaining 38% were self taught users. 85% of people who responded were aware that Phase 1 and Phase 3 are included in the efficacy of the method. 69% used both Phase 1 and Phase 3 for unprotected sex. Out of the 15% who were not aware that Phase 1 and Phase 3 are included in efficacy studies, 76% were self taught.

40% of respondents do NOT abstain in the fertile window. This is across the board from TTA0 to TTW. 60% of respondents do abstain in the fertile window.

Breakdown of FABM use in 255 respondents

Roughly 17% used a single check STM
34% used a sympto hormonal method
29% used a double check method
10% used Billings (primarily sensation mucus method)
8% used Creighton (mucus only)

How long have they used a FABM?

20% less than a year
15.3% one year+
14.5% two years+
10.2% three years+
7.8% four years+
23.9% five years+
8.2% ten years+

TTA 0: Not taking risks, would take all measures to end a pregnancy

Users who are TTA0 identify themselves as someone who would take all measures necessary to end a pregnancy. 25 survey takers identified themselves as TTA0. 16 of the 25 were self taught using a sympto-thermal method. Only 3 out of 25 who responded used a method other than sympto-thermal. Only 10 abstained in the fertile window. Multiple respondents replied that access to abortion or confidence in barrier method usage was why they chose not to abstain in the fertile window.

Here is a sample of the overall responses from TTA0:

Why Barriers:

I do not believe that abstaining is a healthy choice for consenting adults in a committed relationship. We use a combination of femcap with contragel and “perfect withdrawal” or occasionally femcap with contragel and he completes in my anus. 🙂 We did the math on this combination and are more protected this way than we would be using the pill so we find it acceptable.
Usually on the days where I am THE MOST fertile, we will not have PIV sex, but overall, I trust using condoms as we are good about using them consistently and properly, and also usually use WD as a backup alongside condoms, especially during the weeklong fertile window.
I abstained in the fertile window for 1.5 years. But we’re been using condoms for 5 years and never had a break so I’m developing a trust in them.
Years of experience with condoms, proper and careful use of them, and some ability to check for failure/holes. I’m already a TTA0, but abstaining instead of barriers would often give only 6-7 safe days per cycle. (We often use barriers the whole time instead of FAM, technically, due to lazy or unsure charts.)
Personally, as TT0, I use protection in phase 1, abstain during the fertile window, UP in phase 3. If I was TT1 I would be ok with condoms in the fertile window.
We have excellent barrier usage, I use it with other partners as well so I need to ensure STI protection, and my partners with dicks have been given condoms 101 by me so I know they know what to do
I would not feel secure with barriers during the fertile window at all. We conceive far too easily.
I would probably abstain if I didn’t want a pregnancy and was against aborting and also if I lived somewhere with no safe and legal access to abortions.

I’m confident in using barriers because my partner respects my body and our intentions. We are TTA0 right now. We don’t see any reason for abstaining because we use barrier methods responsibly.

I feel comfortable using barriers, despite their failure rate being high but will only use condoms and a diaphragm together, not diaphragm alone due to the low failure rate (15% ish). I do tend to avoid intercourse more during my fertile time if possible, but will use two barriers correctly to reduce anxiety or reduce needing emergency contraception if a breakage happens.

TTA1: Not taking risks, and would possibly give baby up for adoption if pregnancy happened

Only 9 people identified themselves as TTA1. 5 out of 9 still used barriers in the fertile window even though intentions were low.

Why Barriers:

Still newish (charting since Jan but stuck on nexplanon which has expired and in that time only had two ovulatory cycles) but I will use days where I’m on my period in phase one if I feel up to it, but I am more comfortable with UP in phase 3.
It is literally the ONLY time I have interest in my spouse or can orgasm. Unable to orgasm in Phase 3.
I live in a country with great accessibility to emergency contraception as well as to health care to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, so even if my intentionality was lower I would not abstain.

Why Not Barriers:

Because we simply can not afford a child

TTA 2: Not taking risks. Would need some time, maybe counseling. Ultimately keeping the pregnancy.

37 people identified themselves as TTA2.

Why Barriers:

I use a double-check and have an abnormal CM pattern that has it almost always starting just after my period. My husband won’t have period sex so it is extremely rare for us to fit in unprotected sex. Even if I tell him we can, he might not trust it because he doesn’t have enough knowledge of FAM. I might have abstained if I used a FABM in college or may have used condoms plus withdrawal. I was a Super Zero, meaning that even having an abortion would have been a burden, as I didn’t have any of my own money or a car. I was still a zero later in life but had more resources.
I only use condoms on very low risk days, so if one were to fail, there’d be plenty of time for plan B and/or pregnancy would be fairly unlikely anyways. Peak mucus days I will generally abstain or use outercourse.
I generally don’t enjoy sex during my period but my current partner is okay with it so I’ve been doing it more. I tend to ovulate early and rarely have dry days so I generally don’t use that rule. I am planning to use Doering once I have 12 charted cycles (starting over because I’m newly PP). We generally only want to go UP in Phase 3 though.We don’t use barriers but we do use perfect withdrawal during Phase 1 and 2 and sometimes Phase 3. I do not like any barrier method which is why we don’t use them.
Because of the doering rule I open my fertile window really early, but most of the time I ovulate later than those early ovulations that set my doering day so I’m ok with going UP until then because it most probably will be far ahead from ovulation. If not I know I’m still safe though.Im doubling up thats what makes me confident enough, I was a TTA0 when I started doing this
We don’t rush and always have great communication. And we could be TTA0 and still wouldn’t abstain because we enjoy sex.

Why Not Barriers:

Being extra conservative to avoid pregnancy. Not confident in my BIP (yet).
Since I’m self taught (charted 7 cycles) I know for sure I’m safe after I confirm ovulation. But my partner and I ALWAYS use condoms anyway and abstain during fertile window. If I were to not use protection, it would only be during luteal phase

TTA3: Not taking risks. “Oh NO how did this happen?! but everything will be okay” Surprise pregnancy would eventually be welcome.

Largest percentage of responses were from this category. 90 people identified themselves as TTA 3.

Why Barriers:

I don’t feel safe using phase one without protection (condom) because I am not as confident with my knowledge of the rules for that time (first 5 day, dry day rules, etc) (Self Taught)
I would have to be 2 or lower to abstain. We use withdrawal. I’m definitely okay with an oopsie, my partner thinks we need to wait until school is done so about a year from now we can be TTW.
No barriers but use withdrawl IF we have sex at all during follicular phase.
During the fertile window, we always use condoms and withdrawal. I’m confident in this because I feel that the chances of both the condom and withdrawal failing at the same time are very low. I don’t think my intentions would ever be low enough to abstain.
We have never had issues with barriers before. Abstinence for us would have less to do with intentions and more with discomfort caused by barriers / less enjoyable. We’ll never be below TTA2 I think and last time we were I felt safe with condoms too.
I’m confident in using barriers because I use perfect withdrawal, my partner and I have very good communication, and we’re a TTA3. My intentions would need to be TTA2 or lower to abstain.

Why Not Barriers:

Phase I – Cycle history shows I ovulate later. We could utilize up to day 11, but typically only use up to day 6 or 7. Phase III – confident when confirming ovulation, many months/years of practice including postpartum. No surprise pregnancies!
We use a double check method and learned with an instructor, so we feel safer in the 1st phase.
N/A my religious views (Catholic) do not allow for using barriers.
Barriers don’t feel worth it for us given the added risk of conceiving and less satisfying experience. Better to wait so we can increase effectiveness of method and have a better time during infertile phases.

TTA4: Not taking risks. Currently content with family size but a surprise pregnancy would be welcome.

59 people identified themselves in this category. On the intentions scale, this is the highest category available before “Trying to Whatever” kicks in.

Why Barriers:

I am confident in using condoms plus withdrawal on fertile days, and lately only use a condom. I am okay with the possibility of the condom breaking at a 4. I would need to be a 0-2 to abstain during the fertile window.
Religious. Orthodox Jews abstain during period and one week after, so by that time – around cd12 – I’m usually in my fertile window.
I don’t use barriers but use withdrawal during the fertile window. I’m aware of the risk but we did several looks at pre-ejaculate under a microscope and there were no sperm. Partner is very controlled with ejaculating so we are comfortable with our ability to manage the risk
We strive for perfect condom use every time and have never had a condom break, so we trust them. If we were lower on the intentions scale, I don’t think we would abstain, but would probably opt for adding extra methods like diaphragm+spermicide and/or withdrawal in addition to condoms.
We use withdrawal in the fertile window. Being so high on the TTA scale, we do not worry about any pregnancies resulting from failed withdrawal. Even so, it has worked for 4 years (we did the pre-ejaculate microscope test and there were NO sperm multiple times). I would never fully abstain regardless of intentions. Non Penis in Vagina Sex is always a safe option when done correctly!

Why Not Barriers:

I have a longer cycle,usually 34-36 days so feel fairly confident in using the first part of phase 1. We’re currently pregnant (totally planned) but prior to that when we were TTA, we succeeded in avoiding for 9 cycles (plus 11 months pp without cycles but testing pp with Marquette).

TTW / NTNP: Pregnancy welcome but not activity trying:

29 total responses and only one person in this category used a form of a barrier, everyone else abstained or had sex when they wanted to.

Why Barriers:

Haven’t had any failures using withdrawal and since I’m trying to whatever with things now, I don’t mind getting pregnant if withdrawal fails 🙂

Conclusion:

Fertility intentions are not only “I want a baby” or “I do not want a baby.” There is a ton of nuance involved in how the couple feels and decides to behave in the fertile window. Intentions directly effect how someone uses a method. Almost all FABM methods discourage genital contact in the fertile window. However, this does not mean that users will follow this advice. While many users abstain due to religious reasons, others do not abstain due to their own religious beliefs or because they are secular users. With informed choice, fertility awareness users can decide based on their specific intentions what is right for them. Maligning barrier methods as a terrible choice does a disservice to an informed user of a barrier method who has made their decision based on their unique fertility intentions.

As far as I am aware, at least three methods have included barrier method usage in their studies: the Sensiplan Study (2007), the Klaus Billings Study (1979), and at least one Marquette study. The Sensiplan study and the Billings study found that there was not a signficant difference between barrier method usage and abstaining when it comes to failures. Sensiplan found a .2% lowering of efficacy. Users should be aware that incorrect barrier method usage can lead to pregnancy; however, many people are high enough on the intentions scale that this lowering of efficacy may be okay with them.

One of the most ridiculed methods is “withdrawal” or pulling out. However, even this has a place in many people’s family planning intentions, especially those higher on the intention scale or for those who wish to increase diaphragm or condom efficacy. Some people even use withdrawal to attempt to increase efficacy in infertile times of the cycle. There is much misinformation about withdrawal, including accusations of all pre-ejaculatory fluid containing sperm. For a nuanced look at what we know about withdrawal, please read this link. For information about doubling up on barrier methods and efficacy, visit this link.

Shout out to Antonela Vuljan for helping me organize this data!

An Honest Review of Proov PdG Tests

Are you interested in testing your progesterone at home with Proov?

If you decide to purchase, use promocode: CHARTYOURFERTILITY for 30% off the original PdG tests or Proov and Confirm.

Proov tests check levels of the hormone metabolite PdG in the urine. Proov tests are an FDA approved product. People who are ovulating produce the hormone progesterone after ovulation. If you are a fertility awareness charter, you can use these tests to double check that ovulation has occurred along with your other fertility signs. If you are seeking to become pregnant, you can use these tests to help see if your luteal phase is sufficient to support a pregnancy.

Here are a few links on recent studies so that you can be more informed about using this product:

Proov is Clinically Validated

Study on Urinary Hormones and Progesterone

Study on Proov Combined with Fertility Awareness Methods

Study on Combining Proov with Clearblue

I have personally been using Proov since 2019. I can highly recommend this product. Proov has excellent customer service and is continually trying to improve their services and expand product options.

My most common day to get my first positive Proov is approximately 3 to 5 days after a positive LH test. I love having Proov as a crosscheck so that I can have an extra way to confirm ovulation. I like having a ton of data in my fertility awareness routine.

For those trying to conceive, the tests can be used around 7 to 10 days post ovulation (counting from positive LH test). If the tests are positive, this is a good sign that your progesterone is high enough when implantation is most likely to occur on days 7 to 10 post positive LH test.

I used it 7 to 10 days past my first positive LH test to see if my progesterone levels were high enough in the last part of my cycle. Ideally, for conception purposes, you want to see positive Proov tests on days 7 through 10.

These tests are also useful for people with irregular cycles or tough cervical mucus patterns because they can help you know if you have indeed ovulated.

The Proov Insight app can help you read your tests, including PdG, LH tests and the new Multihormone test! It recently updated to include numeric values. This makes the data even more meaningful! Some people struggle reading Proov, and the app is definitely useful for those people.

The app will give you an “ovulation score” based on whether your tests are positive during the days most likely for implantation. This ovulation score can help you plan to improve your health if you notice low PdG levels.

I highly recommend trying Proov if you are curious about your progesterone! For now, I have decided to make Proov a permanent part of my fertility awareness routine.

Use promocode CHARTYOURFERTILITY for 30%!

Cool Femtech that You Can Use (With FAM) to Avoid or Achieve Pregnancy

As you probably know if you have read any of my previous critiques of femtech, I am often wary of it. However, there are some devices and tools that I can 100% get behind because they allow user interpretation or are a part of a fertility awareness based method. The following list is of devices that can be used with a fertility awareness based method to avoid or achieve pregnancy.

The Tempdrop Thermometer is a wearable BBT that you can use to get accurate temperatures no matter your amount of wake times during the night. This is super useful for postpartum women or those who have irregular sleep times!

Click here to read my Tempdrop Review and use my referral link to get 10% off the two top tier options.

Proov Test Strips are used to determine if your progesterone levels are high enough to sustain pregnancy and as an extra way to confirm ovulation for those avoiding pregnancy. I have personally used these as an extra layer of ovulation confirmation. Use PROMOCODE: CHARTYOURFERTILITY for 30% off Proov.

Order them here: Proov Test.

Now Opening Enrollment For December 2019 Fertility Awareness Course

I am so excited to be offering this new course for those interested in learning the symptothermal method of fertility awareness. The method I teach is based on the rules studies by Sensiplan. You can read about this study here.

I found fertility awareness after 7 years on the pill, and it really rocked my world. When I started practicing it myself, I realized that it was a grave injustice that women are not taught about FAM. Practicing FAM has put me in touch with my body more than ever before. It healed some of the mind/body split that I had developed through years of resenting my period.

Moderating in Fertility Awareness Method of Birth Control, the largest English speaking, secular fertility awareness group on Facebook at 25,000+ members, lead me to becoming a certified instructor through the Natural Family Planning Teachers Association (NFPTA). Starting in February 2020, I am pursuing a certification through Bebo Mia as a fertility doula to support women who are TTC. Outside of the fertility world, I am training to be a librarian. I have taught at the college level since 2016.

I teach a secular form of fertility awareness including information on barrier methods (condoms, diaphragms, etc). The NFPTA method has the same temperature rules as Sensiplan. I teach cervical mucus, cervical position, basal body temperature, and calculation rules (the doering rule and minus 20 and 21 rules). My distance course is offered on Moodle. It is a 4-week self-paced course that includes video charting examples and information on charting during all life circumstances (perimenopause, postpartum, postpill, and TTC). This class opens in December. Your partner is welcome to ask me questions and take the course along with you.

If you already have charting experience from reading TCOYF or the Sensiplan file (3 or more complete cycles), I will extend a discount to you if you decide to work with me. Reach out to me to find out more. I will also likely be holding a live introduction to FAM session in early December.

The best way to get in touch with me is through DM on my Instagram @chartyourfertility or through e-mail by completing a form on chartyourfertility.com. You can also follow me @chartyourfertility on Facebook.

A symptothermal method chart — An Example of Symptothermal Method Chart on Kindara

*Disclaimer: These methods only work as well as the user. Even with perfect use, there is still a .4% chance of pregnancy. Using a calculation rule is built into the efficacy, and ignoring calculations may result in unintended pregnancy. I will work closely with you so that you understand the rules, but it is ultimately on the user to follow them.

An Honest Review of Tempdrop

Are you looking to simplify your basal body temperature charting routine? Is getting up in the morning just too hard to remember to take your temperature? Read on!

There are currently a few wearable basal body thermometers on the market such as iFertracker, Ava, and Tempdrop. In this blog, I will review the Tempdrop device. If you decide to purchase, use this link and get 10% off the device. This discount only works on the Confidence and Freedom Packages.

Tempdrop is a wearable basal body temperature thermometer that came onto the market in 2017. Rather than setting an alarm, you can simply put this thermometer on before bed. You wear it around your upper arm (and it may be worn in a bra as well). It needs 3 hours of sleep to determine your basal body temperature. The device uses an algorithm to find your true temperature, regardless of how many times you have gotten up or whether you had restless sleep this night.

This device is very popular with shift workers, breastfeeding mothers, and other people who don’t get a regular amount of sleep and wake up at different times. It holds 24 hours of data, and it must be synced at least every 24 hours or you will lose previous data. After wearing it for 15 days (as of March 2020), the algorithm will kick in. (If possible you should back up temp with oral basal body temperature for the first 60 days if you are avoiding pregnancy. If not, use a different method of protection). By day 60, the device will only change and make improvements to the last 2 temperatures taken.

PROS

Helps Women Practice the Sympto-Thermal Method: If you are not able to take your temperature with a normal basal body thermometer due to breastfeeding, shift work, or other irregular sleep schedules, this device will help you practice any sympto-thermal method of fertility awareness or natural family planning.
Great Customer Service: I have had to interact with Tempdrop Customer Service several times. They are fairly prompt with responses, and they do try their best to troubleshoot with you. While there was an issue with the Tempdrop frame breaking, they fixed this issue for free.
No Alarm Needed: Hate your alarm? You won’t need to set it to take your temperature if you wear Tempdrop. This is a big game changer for people with irregular sleep schedules. It can make your mornings much easier.
Helpful Facebook Group: You may join the Tempdrop Facebook group for support and charting help. They have detailed units about how to use this device to achieve or avoid pregnancy. There are multiple spin-off Tempdrop groups that you may want to explore as well.

CONS

Price: Tempdrop Basic Package is $159 (12 month warranty). Tempdrop Confidence Package is $199 (12 month refund guarantee, 24 month warranty, Tempdrop Care available). Tempdrop Freedom Package is $249 (24 month warranty, Tempdrop Care, 12 month refund guarantee, extra armband and battery). While this price could be worth it for you if it’s the only way you can take your temperature, it may not be affordable to everyone. This price is still a little high, especially if you are making minimum wage or have other expenses like childcare. The referral codes only work with the higher price packages (scroll to the end of this to get 10% off the device). If you have kids or animals, you may want to get a better package if you believe your device may be damaged easily.
Battery: The device does not tell you when the battery is dying. However, you can contact support to find out. They now recommend changing the battery at 8 months.
Frame Breaking: Many people (myself included) have had the frame break easily. However, the company promises that they are trying to fix this issue and a newer frame with different plastic will be issued with devices bought this year.
Changing Temperatures: If you are the anxious type, you may not like the last few temperatures changing. While this is due to the way the device functions, some people may find it unsettling. Second, many people who chart expect that they will see a drop in their temperature before they get their period or the day of. I personally never got the drop to indicate my period was coming until Tempdrop retroactively adjusted my last temperature. With oral basal body temperature, changing temperatures is not a problem.

In 2020, Tempdrop released their own app. I do NOT recommend using it to interpret your data for you. It is quite expensive, and it does offers to interpret your data for you. The best app is one that lets you make all the decisions instead of forcing you into certain rules that may not fit your chosen method.

Here is an example of the Tempdrop app:

Source: Google Play Store

Instead, I recommend using Read Your Body app which is only $15 USD a year and empowers you to read your own fertility signs! It automatically syncs with Tempdrop. This is my top recommendation if you are determined to use Tempdrop for avoiding pregnancy. It is entirely customizable down to the cervical mucus categories and incredibly diverse custom data. See my blog on using this app for 7 different types of fertility methods and devices.

My Original Experience with Tempdrop in 2018

I used the Tempdrop device for almost 12 months. I found my oral temps to be more predictable and more steady when observing my own trends over time. I get very steady or repeating temperatures with oral charts most of the time.

However, I am not a shift worker, so I will admit that I do not need Tempdrop like some people may do. I already have to wake up at the same time 5 days a week, and I don’t find it inconvenient to take my temperature on the weekend. Even if I take my temperature later, my oral temperatures are incredibly steady. My oral temperatures also caught my shift earlier than Tempdrop did on two separate occasions (I have seen other people say that Tempdrop catches their shift sooner than oral temperatures, so this is really an individual thing).

Funnily, alcohol appears to effect my Tempdrop temperatures MORE than my oral temperatures. I speculate that this is because whenever I would put the Tempdrop on, I was still recently drinking and hotter due to the alcohol. In contrast, I would be sleeping for 8-9 hours and have worn off the alcohol before taking my oral temperature.

Here is one full cycle comparison:

Tempdrop (Ovuview)

Oral Temperatures (Kindara)

Tempdrop temperatures will either read higher or lower than your oral temperatures. In my case, they read much higher.

Want to try it yourself?

Use this link and get 10% off the device. This discount only works on the Confidence and Freedom Packages.

Full disclosure: I will get a $10 USD kickback if you use my coupon. Thanks for using it!

Continue reading An Honest Review of Tempdrop