What I Wish I Knew Before Taking Birth Control
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What I Wish I Knew Before Taking Birth Control: Learning My Cycle & Using Fertility Awareness
For 10 years, birth control was simply something I took because I trusted that it was supposed to do.
I was told it was safe. I wasn't really taught how hormonal birth control worked, how my menstrual cycle worked, or how to understand the signs my body was giving me.
I just trusted it and I wish I had been given more information.
My Experience With Birth Control
Over time, I started experiencing changes in my health that made me question what was going on with my body.
I dealt with:
- Anxiety
- Digestive issues and what I describe as leaky gut
- Insomnia
- Low libido
- And eventually hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's
I can't say that birth control solely caused these conditions, because there are many factors that can contribute to them. But I also couldn't ignore how I was feeling or stop asking questions about my health.
I started looking more closely at my hormones, my cycle, and the way my body actually works.
That's when I discovered fertility awareness.
The Book That Changed the Way I Looked at My Body
One of the things that really opened my eyes was reading Beyond the Pill.
For the first time, I started learning about things I honestly don't remember ever being taught in school or at the doctor's office.
I started asking:
What is actually happening during my menstrual cycle?
When am I fertile?
What signs does my body give me when I'm approaching ovulation?
How can I understand those signs instead of simply suppressing them?
That led me down the rabbit hole of fertility awareness, and it completely changed how I viewed my body.
Your Cycle Is More Than Just Your Period
One of the biggest things I learned is that your menstrual cycle isn't simply the few days when you're bleeding.
It's a series of hormonal changes that can give you information about what's happening inside your body.
Fertility-awareness-based methods use signs such as cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and cycle patterns to identify when pregnancy is possible. Some methods also use technology or FDA-cleared apps to help interpret fertility data.
And here's something that blew my mind:
Sperm can survive for several days in the reproductive tract, which means the fertile window isn't limited to the exact day of ovulation.
That means understanding fertility is about looking at the whole picture, not simply counting days on a calendar.
This is one reason I don't recommend simply downloading an app and guessing when you're fertile. Fertility awareness is something you actually need to learn.
What I'm Using Now
Today, I use the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) along with technology to help me understand and track my cycle.
One of the tools I personally use is Natural Cycles.
I also sync my tracking with my Oura Ring, which helps me track my basal body temperature.
For me, having that information available every day has been incredibly empowering.
Instead of feeling disconnected from my cycle, I'm paying attention to it.
I'm learning my patterns.
I'm recognizing changes.
And I'm much more aware of what my body is doing.
You Don't Have to Choose Between Technology & Natural Tracking
One thing I love about where we are today is that there are so many tools available.
You can learn the traditional fertility-awareness methods while also using technology to help collect and understand your data.
Here are some of the tools I've personally explored or recommend looking into:
Natural Cycles
This is the fertility tracking app I personally use.
Daysy
A fertility tracker designed to help you identify your fertile and infertile days.
Lady-Comp
Another fertility tracking option that uses cycle data to identify fertile and infertile days.
Inito
Inito uses hormone testing alongside cycle tracking to provide additional fertility information.
Tempdrop
A wearable temperature sensor that can make tracking basal body temperature easier.
Shop Tempdrop:
https://amzlink.to/az0RevFsKB1t2
Oura
I personally use my Oura Ring to help track my overnight temperature data.
Shop Oura:
https://amzlink.to/az0sn6OAcmppn
Looking for current links & discount codes?
Some of these brands offer special links or discounts through Jasyra, but those can change. I've put the current links, codes, and offers all in one place so you don't have to hunt them down.
Books That Helped Me Learn
If you're completely new to cycle awareness, I highly recommend starting with education rather than immediately relying on an app.
Some of the books I recommend:
Beyond the Pill
https://amzlink.to/az0pDoIb9An45
The Fifth Vital Sign
https://amzlink.to/az0mFD7VHWz7o
Fertility Awareness
https://amzlink.to/az0tzi0m9ClU4
Taking Charge of Your Fertility
https://amzlink.to/az0xyQ9KtphVk
You can also find all of my fertility and cycle-tracking favorites here:
Shop My Amazon Favorites:
https://amzlink.to/az0xIEBt7lOgs
Learning My Cycle Changed My Relationship With My Body
The biggest change for me wasn't simply finding another way to prevent pregnancy.
It was finally understanding my body.
For years, I felt like my period was something that happened to me.
Now I see my cycle as information.
I can recognize patterns. I can understand when I'm likely approaching ovulation. I can pay attention to changes in my temperature and cervical mucus. And I can better understand what my body is communicating.
You Deserve to Understand Your Body
I'm not here to tell you what birth control you should or shouldn't use.
I used hormonal birth control for 10 years, and I wish someone had simply given me more information and taught me how my body worked before I made that decision.
That's what I want for other women.
Whether you choose hormonal birth control, a non-hormonal option, fertility awareness, or something else entirely, you deserve to understand your options and make an informed decision about your own body.
For me, learning fertility awareness gave me a completely different relationship with my cycle.
Explore My Feminine + Fertility Favorites
I keep my current fertility products, tracking tools, links, and discount codes updated here:
→ FIND CURRENT JASYRA FERTILITY CODES
Disclaimer: This post shares my personal experience and is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Fertility-awareness methods vary in effectiveness and require correct and consistent use. If you are considering changing contraception, avoiding pregnancy, or have concerns about your menstrual cycle, hormones, medications, or fertility, talk with your healthcare provider or a qualified fertility-awareness educator. Fertility-awareness methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.