In the Natural Cycles app, you can view your cycle data in your graph. You can access your graph from the Today view by clicking on the Graph icon in the top right corner, or by scrolling down and clicking on Graph in the Algorithm box.
Your graph is a great place to get an overview of how your data looks during your cycles. You can view one cycle at a time and also pinch and zoom with your fingers, or use the + and - buttons at the bottom of the graph view, to compare several cycles.
The key elements in the cycle graph
Cycle days
Your cycle days are displayed at the bottom of the graph, starting with cycle day 1 (CD1) on the first day of your period.
Red and green days
You can see your fertility status (red or green) for each day of your cycle.
Temperature curve
With each new temperature you log, you will be able to see how your temperature curve looks and develops during your cycle. Your temperature follows a curve with generally lower temperatures during the follicular phase (before ovulation) and generally higher temperatures in the luteal phase (after ovulation). Read more here.
Cover line
The cover line is the grey, horizontal line in the middle of the graph. The cover line is individual and represents the average of all your temperature points in your cycles. It also takes into account the average temperature and variations in the follicular and luteal phase. Read more here.
Temperature ranges
On the right, you will see a range of temperatures. These ranges are based on your average temperature in each cycle phase and how much it tends to vary, meaning that these ranges are adapted to your cycle.
Period
Each new cycle starts on the first period day. The days you have logged Period in each cycle will be covered by a purple window in the Graph. At the start of the cycle, you will also see your period prediction shown in grey, but this will disappear as you log your actual period.
Ovulation
Before your ovulation is detected, you will see a prediction for your upcoming ovulation in your graph (shown with a grey ovulation icon). Once ovulation is confirmed, the most likely ovulation day will be marked with a purple ovulation symbol. You can read more about this here.
Algorithm-related icons
At the top of the graph, you will see all the other algorithm-related data that you have logged — LH test results and reasons for excluded temperatures. If you have logged more than two data points (for example if you have excluded a temperature and logged an LH test, you will see a ‘2’ on the icon. You can click on the data points to view more details of what you logged on a specific day.
Sex
Above the graph you can see if you have logged sex, which will be with a heart icon. You can also see which type of sex was logged; unprotected (white full heart), protected (heart with lock icon) or other types of sex (not filled in heart).
Why is the graph important?
The graph helps you learn more about your unique cycle. It’s also the best way to understand your temperature curve and how it looks throughout your cycle. In the Today tab > See cycle insights, you can access more information about your temperatures in each cycle phase by clicking on the Follicular phase and Luteal phase sections.
The graph helps you visualize how your temperature is affected by the different hormones during your cycle. In the follicular phase, your temperatures will be lower. Once ovulation happens and you enter the luteal phase, your body releases the hormone progesterone, which causes your temperature to rise and stay elevated for the rest of the cycle. You can read more about how the algorithm detects ovulation here.
If you log LH test results, you can also see when your LH peak has happened in relation to your ovulation day (but remember that LH tests are optional and ovulation can only be confirmed by a clear temperature rise).
By looking at your graph frequently, you will also understand if and how your temperatures fluctuate during your cycles. You can read more about temperature fluctuations here.
How can I compare my cycles in the graph?
By clicking on the compare icon below the cycle graph, you can compare your cycles three at a time.*
In this view, you can scroll up to view more cycles. Comparing your cycles makes it easier to see cycle-to-cycle changes, such as your period length, cycle length, and ovulation day.
Your current cycle will always be displayed at the bottom of the Compare view, and you can see the cycle number on the left-hand side of this view. The thicker line at the right-hand side of the graph indicates the length of the cycle. The bottom indicator for cycle days will adjust to reflect the length of your longest visible cycle.
You will also see the same predicted temperature curve as you see on the 1-cycle view.
*If you are starting Natural Cycles after hormonal birth control, please note that your Cycle 0 (the first cycle after hormones) will not be shown in the Compare view.
What is the Tracker graph?
In the Tracker Graph, you can see an overview of the various trackers you have added during your cycles, and you can zoom out to compare your data for multiple cycles.
The Tracker graph can help you identify patterns in your cycle symptoms and better understand what to expect in the future.
Here are the different categories that you can track from top to bottom:
- Emotions
- Pains/ Symptoms
- Skin
- Sex Drive
- Cervical Mucus
- Bleeding
As you zoom out of the Tracker Graph, you will notice that the icons are replaced by a smaller scale, allowing you to compare the level of each category. For instance, a Heavy Period will fill the whole scale for that day, while a Light Period will only fill half of it.