Note: this article applies to Cyclers using the app with a basal thermometer. If you use a wearable device, please refer to the Oura or Apple Watch sections of Cyclerpedia.
My sleep schedule on the weekend does not differ much from my usual routine
It is okay to measure on the weekends if your sleep schedule does not vary too much from your weekday routine.
It is important to measure at roughly the same time every morning, within 2 hours earlier/later than your usual measuring time, for the algorithm to pinpoint your fertile window best.
My sleep schedule on the weekend varies a lot
Changes in your sleep pattern can affect your basal temperature, and for that reason, it is good to take precautions if your sleep schedule varies on the weekends.
If you still wish to measure, aim to do so at a consistent time (within a two-hour window of your usual time) and keep your bedtime consistent. The easiest way is to set your alarm for your weekday time. Once you take your temperature, you are free to go back to sleep and simply log the temperature value later.
Remember that you should always measure as soon as you wake up—before you snooze, sit or get up, drink water, check your phone, etc.
Another option is to exclude your weekend temperature by selecting ‘Slept differently.’ We recommend adding five ‘normal’ temperature readings a week to isolate your fertile window best and increase the number of Green Days you receive, so it is fine if you sometimes have to exclude your temperatures on the weekend. You can read more about excluded temperatures here: When and how should I exclude my temperature from a basal thermometer?
If you don't measure every day, Natural Cycles' effectiveness as a birth control will not be affected. Logging less temperature data means that you will experience more Red Days, where protection is needed, which may reduce your satisfaction with Natural Cycles. Learn more here: What happens if I sometimes forget to measure?
Note: If you're struggling with your measuring routine, know that you now have the option to use Natural Cycles with one of our approved wearable devices (the Oura Ring and the Apple Watch). When using Natural Cycles with a wearable device, your temperature data gets measured overnight while you sleep. This means that you no longer need to remember to take your temperature before getting out of bed in the morning!