Birth control and fertility tracking goes digital with Natural Cycles

Natural Cycles is the first FDA-cleared birth control app. It uses body temperature and period data to determine fertility so users can either plan or prevent pregnancy. Founded in Sweden in 2023, Natural Cycles has a global user base of more than three million women.  

Key differences from other methods

• Hormone-free: Natural Cycles is hormone-free, making it a suitable option for those who prefer not to use hormonal contraception.

• Fertility awareness: It relies on tracking menstrual cycles, body temperature, and other fertility indicators to predict fertile days, whereas most other birth control methods work by preventing fertilization or implantation.

• Non-invasive: Unlike intrauterine devices (IUDs) or surgical methods like sterilization, Natural Cycles doesn't require invasive procedures.

• No physical barrier: It doesn't require the use of physical barriers like condoms or diaphragms. Users can choose to abstain from sex or use a barrier method during their fertile days.

How it works

When you download the app, you can choose whether you’d like to use NC° Birth Control or NC° Plan Pregnancy. In both modes users should aim to measure their temperature at least five days a week. You can do this with a basal thermometer in the morning, or sleeping with a wearable device such as the Oura Ring or Apple Watch.

When you use the app as birth control, it’s important you abstain from sex on "Red Days" or use a barrier method like a condom.

On "Green Days" you don’t need to use protection. If you’re using the app to plan pregnancy, the idea is try to conceive to time sex when you’re at your most fertile. In the app you’ll see predicted fertility in a scale of reds. The content you get in the app also varies depending on what mode you’re in, so it’s tailored to your personal journey.