Is Natural Birth Control Right For You?

Are you on the birth control pill, ring, or IUD and wondering what life would be like if you didn’t have to be on synthetic hormones or have a foreign object lodged in your body?

Have you heard about other women preventing pregnancy without hormones or condoms and want to do that too?

If you answered, yes, you’re in the right place. As followers of Do It Naturally know, one of my favorite feminine health topics to talk about is natural birth control. I, personally, made the switch to fertility awareness methods of birth control in 2013 and have never looked back. If you’re unfamiliar with natural birth control and fertility awareness methods, you can learn all about them in our extensive overview here. This post, however, will explore how to decide if natural birth control is right for you.

You’ve heard about natural birth control. You’ve read about fertility awareness and cycle tracking methods. Perhaps, you’ve even downloaded a cycle tracking app for your cell phone. Yet, you can’t seem to take the leap.

It’s understandable. Choosing to switch up your birth control method is a personal and life-changing experience. It’s often a decision that leaves you with some doubts, confusion, and anxiety. Today, we’ll explore how to decide if natural birth control is right for you, and how to calm worries and ease confusion as you make the switch.

5 Things To Ask Yourself Before Switching To Natural Birth Control

1. Am I willing to note my body’s changes on a daily basis?

The foundation of fertility awareness birth control methods is noting specific shifts in cervical fluid, body temperature, and other subtle physical symptoms. They require note-taking in a journal, cycle tracking chart, calendar, or app on your phone. These cycle tracking methods demand daily attention and consistency to ensure accuracy. Once you’ve gotten the hang of your tracking method, note-taking becomes second nature just like any other habit. However, if you are unable to commit to creating this new habit, then fertility awareness methods will not work effectively.

2. Is my menstrual cycle regular?

While it is certainly possible to use fertility awareness methods with an irregular menstrual cycle, it may be more challenging to get started. With a regular menstrual cycle that only varies a day or two each month, it is much easier to narrow in on your fertile window and avoid pregnancy. If you go a month or two between periods or experience a period that varies in length, it will may be harder to determine your fertile window from month to month. You will have to rely more heavily the fertility awareness tracking methods such as cervical discharge and body temperature shifts.

3. Am I ready to talk openly to my partner about my fertility?

This is a big one. Whether single or in a relationship, fertility awareness methods of birth control require talking to your partner about your current phase of fertility and insist on the use of barrier methods during your fertile window. As with many women, most men will not understand how fertility awareness works and will be highly skeptical. You will have to be able to explain your chosen method of natural birth control and reassure your sexual partners that you are taking the necessary measures to prevent pregnancy. This will likely include saying words like vagina, cervical fluid, ovulation, and fertile window out loud to your partner. Brace yourself.

4. When I’m ready to get pregnant, do I want to be able to conceive without hardly trying?

One of the biggest perks of fertility awareness birth control methods is that when you’re ready to conceive you’ll be able to do so immediately, assuming no other complications exists. With heightened awareness of your fertile window, you’ll be able to know precisely when you ovulate and the most opportune time to conceive. To become pregnant using fertility awareness methods, you simply have unprotected sex during your fertile window. Easy peasie, baby pleasie!

5. Do I want to reclaim control of my hormones, ditch frustrating hormonal birth control side effects, and live in alignment with my body?

No, this isn’t a trick question. This is what you will get if you decide that fertility awareness birth control methods are right for you. You’ll be able to say goodbye to pill-induced mood swings, weight gain, tender breasts, spotting, and other unnecessary side effects. You'll unfreeze your hormones and allow them to re-learn their job. You will finally be able to live in alignment WITH your body rather than suppressing its natural rhythms. It's as good as it sounds.

Does it feel like cycle tracking and fertility awareness methods of birth control are right for you? Are you ready to learn more about how you can use these methods with your own cycle?

If so, I would love to invite you to schedule a free 1-on-1 info session with me to dive deeper into how cycle tracking and fertility awareness can work for you unique cycle and how to get started charting your cycle. CLICK HERE to book your free call!

Disclaimer: Brandy Oswald is not a medical provider and cannot give medical advice or provide any information concerning the diagnosis or treatment of any health condition. The information provided by Brandy Oswald and Sauvage Wellness LLC is of a general nature and is intended only for educational purposes to help with your personal health improvement goals and should not be relied on as medical advice. Always consult a physician with any health concerns and prior to changing your diet, lifestyle, supplements, or prescription medicine routine. Should you choose to use the information provided by Brandy Oswald it is of your own volition and you recognize that neither Brandy nor Sauvage Wellness LLC is not held liable for any intended or unintended outcomes.