To get started with Natural Cycles, you will need the following:
1. A Natural Cycles account with an active subscription
You can create a Natural Cycles account and sign up for a subscription by visiting our website.
Download the Natural Cycles app on your phone through the App Store or Google Play to access your account and the app’s functionalities. Make sure to log in using the same email address that you used to sign up for your subscription.
You can also use our web app: it's the same as the mobile app, only accessed through our website.
2. A basal thermometer, an Oura Ring, or an Apple Watch
For the algorithm to be able to identify your fertile window, you need to log temperature data in the app regularly. This is because keeping track of body temperature shifts can tell you exactly where you are in your cycle. You can read more about the basal body temperature here.
You can measure your basal body temperature using a special thermometer measuring with 2 decimals which has an accuracy of +/- 0.10 (C) or +/-0.20 (F). You can check the accuracy of your thermometer in the specifications listed in the thermometer’s instructions for use. You can order a basal thermometer from our webshop or purchase one from your nearest pharmacy.
Alternatively, you can use Natural Cycles with an Oura Ring or Apple Watch. When using the Oura Ring or Apple Watch, your temperature data gets measured overnight while you sleep. In the morning, all you need to do is sync your device with the Natural Cycles app to get your daily fertility status. You can learn more about how Natural Cycles works with the Oura Ring here and how it works with the Apple Watch here.
3. Ovulation tests (optional)
Natural Cycles will recommend you to take an ovulation test (LH test) a few times per cycle on the days leading up to your expected ovulation. Ovulation tests are optional to do, and not a requirement for using Natural Cycles as temperature is the primary factor used by the NC° algorithm to detect ovulation, but they can help with detecting ovulation faster.
Taking ovulation tests can be helpful for narrowing down your ovulation day each cycle, whether you are using NC° Birth Control or NC° Plan Pregnancy.
NC° Birth Control users get roughly 5% more Green Days in a cycle with positive ovulation tests recorded in the app, and NC° Plan Pregnancy users benefit from the extra accuracy in pinpointing ovulation and their most fertile days.
You'll find Natural Cycles' ovulation tests in our webshop. Learn more about ovulation tests here.
For more information on getting started, please review the Instructions for Use.