If you took a long break from using Natural Cycles but are ready to come back: welcome back – this article is for you!
Note: if you were on hormonal birth control during your break from Natural Cycles, please visit this article.
Why is the app showing a long cycle?
When you stop using the app, the algorithm will continue to count the Cycle Days from the time you last logged data in the app. When you come back to using the app, it may for instance say that you are on Cycle Day 312 (depending on when you last logged data).
That’s nothing to be concerned about; your long cycle without any activity will not be taken into account in your averages and predictions. When you start a new cycle with a period entry, the predictions will be based on your past completed cycles, not taking into account the time that you were not using the app.
If you’d like to verify that this longer cycle is not taken into account by the algorithm, you can go into your Cycle Insights (accessible by scrolling all the way down in the Today tab and clicking on “See cycle insights”), where you can check your average cycle length. You can also see the longest and shortest of your last six complete cycles – the long inactive cycle will not be included there.
When can I start using Natural Cycles after a long break?
After a long break, you can start using Natural Cycles at any time. Here are some things to consider:
- When you get back to using the app, we recommend logging your latest period so the algorithm has a better idea of where you currently are in your cycle. You can log past period data from the Calendar view > select the correct day > Edit > select Period > Save or swipe left to log the period for the following days.
- If you have used your Oura Ring or Apple Watch while sleeping during the break from the app, the temperature data will automatically sync to the NC° app when you get started again. There are some options for how to manage this:
- If you have kept track of your periods during the break from the app, we recommend logging your period data. That way, the algorithm will be able to analyze your cycles and adjust accordingly.
- If you haven’t kept track of your periods, we recommend excluding your temperature data during the break so that the algorithm doesn’t take it into consideration. In this case, the long cycle will be counted in your average cycle length in the beginning, but your other statistics (cycle phases, temperatures, and ovulation) will not be affected. It will take the algorithm around three cycles to adjust to your new data as you get started again. Click on the following links to learn more about how to exclude your data with the Oura Ring or Apple Watch.
If you were pregnant while you were away, we recommend that you log it in the app. Learn more here.
Can I reset my data?
We don’t offer the option to reset your data or delete a specific cycle. That’s because we don’t encourage deleting any of your data. The algorithm needs to have as much data regarding your cycles as possible, and this includes any cycle irregularities which may have occurred.
However, as mentioned above, your long cycle without any activity won’t affect your data since it’s excluded from your predictions. It will also not affect the app’s effectiveness as a birth control method. Just make sure that you follow the instructions above, and you’re all set!
Learn more about resetting your data here.