There are lots of things you may want to keep track of during your cycle. The data that is used by the NC° algorithm is your temperature and period data, as well as ovulation test results (these are optional to use, but if ovulation test results are logged, they are taken into consideration by the algorithm), emergency contraceptive pill, and pregnancy test results. You’re also able to log many other cycle symptoms and data in your Natural Cycles app that are not taken into consideration by the algorithm but can be helpful in understanding your own cycle.
The Add Data page is divided into sections for the different data types that you can log, and we’ll go through each one in this article from top to bottom.
If you’re not seeing all of these trackers on your Add Data page, you may need to adjust your settings by scrolling to the bottom of the Add Data page > Manage tracker settings or by going to the top menu > Settings > Trackers. You can find more detailed instructions here.
Temperature
Temperature is the most important data for the algorithm to identify your fertility status, and you will find the temperature field at the very top of the Add Data page.
If you're using Natural Cycles with a basal thermometer, you can enter your temperature by typing it in via the number pad in the app. You will see that some numbers are grayed out and not clickable, and this is because they would not give a valid temperature (for example, a Celsius temperature cannot start with a 2, and a Fahrenheit temperature cannot start with a 7).
If you're using Natural Cycles with a Bluetooth thermometer, you will find the instructions to sync your temperature to the app here (for the NC° Thermometer Gen2) or here (for the NC° Thermometer Gen3).
If you're using Natural Cycles with the Oura Ring, your temperature trend data will sync to the NC° app once you sync your ring with your Oura App each day. You’ll be able to see the temperature in the temperature field of the Add Data page once syncing is completed. If your temperature hasn't synced already, you can also sync it from the Add Data page by clicking on Sync with Oura.
If you're using Natural Cycles with the Apple Watch, your temperature data will sync to the NC° app once Sleep Focus turns off. You’ll be able to see the temperature in the temperature field of the Add Data page once syncing is completed. If your temperature hasn't synced already, you can also sync it from the Add Data page by clicking on Sync with Apple Watch.
You can exclude a temperature by clicking on the icons below the temperature. An excluded temperature is not taken into account by the algorithm. You can find more information on when to exclude a temperature when using a basal thermometer here, when using the Oura Ring here, and when using an Apple Watch here.
Bleeding
In this section, you can log the bleeding you experience during your cycle by clicking on the type of bleeding you have. The default options are Period and Spotting, and you can track your period flow as well by turning this option on in the Settings.
Your period is one of the key data points that the algorithm uses to analyze your cycle since it marks the start of a new cycle, so it’s important that you log your period when you get it and that you continue to log it for each day that you are bleeding.
We write a bit more about when to log period versus spotting in this article.
If you recently quit hormonal birth control and are still in your first cycle (Cycle 0), you will see the option Withdrawal bleeding instead of Period. You can read more about when to log withdrawal bleeding in this article.
If you have recently been pregnant, the Period option will be replaced by Bleeding. You can read more about this here.
Vaginal sex
In this section, you can log whether or not you have had sex and whether or not protection was used.
We write a bit more about logging sex data here.
More types of sex
You can also choose to log other types of sex than vaginal sex, such as touching or oral sex, by turning this option on in the Settings.
Ovulation test
Here, you can log if you have taken an ovulation test and if the test result was positive or negative. You can take as many tests as you want, but you can only log one test result per day.
Logging ovulation tests can help the algorithm narrow down your ovulation day. For NC° Birth Control users, this can result in more Green Days.
Cervical mucus
Logging cervical mucus is a great way to learn more about the patterns of your unique cycle. In this section of the Add Data page, you can log the amount and consistency of your cervical mucus for each day of your cycle. We write a bit more about this here.
Sex drive
By logging your sex drive, you can spot patterns in your cycle to see when you usually have a higher and lower sex drive. We write more about how sex drive can change throughout your cycle here.
Skin
In this section, you can keep track of how your skin may change throughout your cycle. For example, you can log if your skin feels oily, dry, or glowing. We write about how your cycle can influence your skin here.
Pain and Symptoms
In this section, you can log some types of pain and symptoms that you might experience at certain times in your cycle, such as ovulation pain, bloating, or cramps.
Sleep
Here, you can track if last night’s sleep was good, okay, or poor.
I’m feeling…
Here, you can log your mood to keep track of how it changes during your cycle. You can log as many moods as you like for each day.
If you're curious about how your mood can be affected by your cycle, you can check out our data insights on this topic here.
Notes
In your Notes, you can write down anything that you would like to keep track of that is not covered by the other trackers.
Emergency Contraception & Tests
If you ever need to use an emergency contraceptive method or take a pregnancy test, you can log it by clicking into this section.
We write a bit more about how to manage your app after taking emergency contraception in this article.
Not seeing a tracker that you wish was available? Don’t hesitate to write to our support team to let us know which tracker you would like to add and why. Our developers will take this into account for future app developments!