Fertility Awareness & Women's Health Blog

TL;DR: Fertility charting does not pinpoint the exact day of ovulation. Instead, it identifies a fertile window and confirms when ovulation has occurred, which is far more useful for both trying to conceive and avoiding pregnancy.

When I first came off hormonal birth control in 2017, I knew I didn’t want to use hormones again — but I also wasn’t ready to get pregnant. Like so many women, I downloaded the Natural Cycles app, thinking I’d finally found a hormone-free, science-backed option.

Tracking your cycle can feel like a full-time job—especially when you’re juggling breastfeeding, night feeds, or shift work.

If you’ve ever been told to get a day 21 progesterone test, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common ways doctors check if you’re ovulating, but here’s the thing: it’s often completely mistimed.

What is fertility awareness, and how does it differ from the Rhythm Method? Learn how established methods like Sensiplan can be used for natural birth control, trying to conceive and understanding your menstrual cycle.