My Favorite Cycle Tracking Apps
One of the first things I troubleshoot with my patients is timing. Timing is everything when TTC (trying to conceive)! Sadly, so many women are not ever educated on their cycle, hormones, or fertility. I didn’t even understand much about my cycle until starting my training as an acupuncturist. So I find a good cycle tracking app vital when TTC.
There’s so many options out on the market that it can be overwhelming to pick one. There’s free ones and paid ones - there’s apps and devices. Where do you start? Well, you’ve got to find the option that works for you, and here’s a couple of my favorites to get you started in the right direction.
Free (mostly) Fertility Tracking
Basal body temperature (BBT) charting is the easiest and cheapest way to learn so much about your cycle and your body. BBT charting allows you to track cycles, identify patterns, and confirm ovulation. You can find inexpensive thermometers at Target or your local drugstore that are specifically for BBT charting (this is the not exactly free part - but they should be less than $20). Use the thermometer to take your temperature first thing every morning – don’t get out of bed, don’t toss and turn. There are so many apps that you can use to keep track of your daily temperatures. My favorite is Kindara - it’s free and easy to use!
Plugging your info into the app will help you track the length of your cycle, see if and when you ovulated, and eventually help you perfect timing to optimize your chances of conceiving. Most apps learn more about you and your cycle as you use it for longer. With time, the app should help you determine your expected fertile window, BUT be careful not to rely to heavily on the app. Listen to your body as we’re always in flux and ovulation may come earlier or later. Your best chances of conceive are the 2 days BEFORE ovulation.
Fertility Tracking Tech
Meet Mira - my new favorite fertility tracker! Mira provides powerful insight into your fertility and helps you optimize your fertile window when TTC. It uses a palm sized, lab grade machine to instantly give you insight into your estrogen, progesterone, and LH levels - all from the comfort of home. And, don't worry - there's no needles here. Mira uses a urine sample so testing is painless.
Using Mira throughout your cycle, lets us see how your hormones shift throughout your cycle and pinpoint our approach to address any trouble spots. I especially love Mira for my patients with PCOS because it can be so much more difficulty to pinpoint the fertile window with PCOS.
Click the button below to learn more about Mira, and if you decide to buy, use code "DRJACY15" for 15% off!
