I’ve been getting a lot of messages and questions from gals looking to quit their hormonal birth control and they want to know what I recommend when it comes to Daysy, Natural Cycles, Wink and things like that.

And I’ll share my thoughts but I always start with highly recommending learning something like the sympto-thermal method (STM) before relying solely on a device or app.

I can’t begin to explain the benefits of understanding the method, your fertility and all of that before you pick up a device.

You can go the old school way of using a paper chart as you learn and practice the sympto-thermal method, but I prefer doing my charting on the Kindara app. (I’m not sponsored, I just really love their app).

I love that it doesn’t give you predictions, and is basically a paper chart in an app. You have to input all of your data, draw your coverline, choose your peak day plus you can add custom data as well.

A lot of people assume charting, FAM and STM are complicated and hard to learn. And therefore they want the security of a device so they don’t have to rely on just themselves.

But I sincerely believe that anyone who wants to learn how to chart can do it successfully.

The recommended timeline is three cycles to get the hang of it before relying on just the STM. I remember when I first started seeing what I had read and learned about play out in my own cycle and on my own chart.

Not only was it just really cool, but it was super empowering. And yes you can get a similar sensation from using a device, but I don’t really quite think it’s the same as when you’ve learned the method and implemented it on your own.

A lot of the devices and apps I’ve seen are based on temperature-only methods, which is fine, and there’s definitely a place for it, but I have so much more confidence in the STM because there is both temperature and fluid to cross check each other.

Cervical fluid is this amazing indicator of fertility, and there is so much that I would miss out on if I wasn’t charting it. I can tell how hydrated I am that cycle by how much fluid I have. If my temperature is off because of travel, sleep, sickness, stress, you name it I have my fluid to cross-check my chart with to make sure I’m being safe. It's an added security that makes me more confident in the method rather than if I was just charting my temperature.

So, yes, there have been some cool advances in technology, which is awesome and something I hope to see continue in the future. But I really do believe that you’re better off, in the long run, learning the sympto-thermal method before relying on a device.

If you’re ready to learn STM and start charting, I’ve created just the course for you.

Chart Your Cycle is for those new to FAM, and the STM. I teach you how to chart, about your different phases and the four FAM rules, which will give you the perfect foundation of knowledge to start charting.

When did you start charting, and why do you recommend it?