Natural Cycles offers detailed insights into an individual's unique cycles, which can be used to answer some important medical questions associated with a woman's reproductive and sexual health.
Tracking and monitoring your cycles can give powerful information.
1. Identification and analysis of ovulation and menstruation can help diagnose and/or manage conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis - an endocrine system disorder that can affect both of these cyclical events. Natural Cycles uses quantitative fertility indicators (basal body temperature and LH) and can, therefore, identify a woman's ovulation day with high precision for every cycle. A positive ovulation test in itself is not sufficient for confirming ovulation which is especially valuable for patients with conditions such as PCOS where "false" LH-peaks can occur (LH-rise occurs but the egg does not release; hence no progesterone is released, leading to no temperature rise which Natural Cycles identifies).
2. Tracking menstrual cycle characteristics can help understand a woman’s fertile potential and odds of conceiving on a cycle-to-cycle basis. Natural Cycles uses quantitative fertility indicators (basal body temperature and LH) and can, therefore, identify a woman's ovulation day with high precision for every cycle. Intercourse log is also enabled.
3. Specific information about a woman’s cycle, such as PMS symptoms that can be tracked in the app, can also help a physician diagnose or evaluate treatment for endometriosis, a condition that affects the tissue lining the uterus. The app's trackers and notes section allows women to track PMS symptoms, pain, mood swings, etc.
Fertility tracking with Natural Cycles can also provide insights related to pregnancy.
1. The app can help determine whether a woman is pregnant. If the detected ovulation is followed by temperature values staying elevated beyond the expected period, combined with high hCG levels (positive pregnancy test), Natural Cycles will confirm a pregnancy and calculate a due date.
2. Natural Cycles can identify conception dates. Natural Cycles can identify the ovulation day (conception date) and therefore give an accurate due date.
Valuable information medical professionals can obtain from a user's Natural Cycles data.
1. Number of anovulatory cycles:
By receiving valuable information about cycles with and without ovulation (anovulatory cycles) medical professionals can gain insights into symptoms of PCOS and/or other fertility-related symptoms. For women approaching menopause, tracking the number of anovulatory cycles gives them valuable insights into their chances to conceive.
2. Average ovulation day and variation of ovulation day:
Natural Cycles tracks the average ovulation day and variation of ovulation day and length and variation of the follicular and luteal phase. Tracking the length of the luteal phase is valuable for women planning a pregnancy, as a very short luteal phase could entail issues for conception. By gaining insights into this, potential treatment can be given, if desired.
3. Cycle regularity, length, and variation of the follicular- and luteal phase:
A highly irregular cycle could result from various lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of nutrition, over/underweight, travels, sleep deprivation, etc., where potential medication and/or recommendations for lifestyle change can be discussed based on the statistics.
4. Symptoms of PMS, endometriosis, etc.
See above - specific information about the cycle, such as PMS symptoms, which can be tracked in the app, can assist medical professionals in diagnosing conditions such as endometriosis.
5. Temperature fluctuations.
6. Time and length of menstruation:
If intense cramps and pains are experienced during the menstrual bleeding and intense, long bleeding – potential treatments can be discussed.