Hello ladies:

I'm new to this forum and coming off of birth control pills soon. I've been taking birth control pills now for 10 years, and over the last year or so on Yasmin I've been experiencing terrible side effects- mood swings, irritable, migraines, you name it. I'm more than ready to stop taking the pill. My hubby and I want a method that will take us through the next 1-2 years, at which point we want to think about having a little one.

I had some questions about Lady Comp, though. It seems, from what all of you have said, like a wonderful choice (thank you for sharing your experiences!!). However, I was wondering:

How much does drinking affect it? I don't drink a lot, but I like to have a couple of glasses of wine on Saturday nights...

Also, is it absolutely necessary to use a backup method on the green days even though you're not ovulating? Condoms don't work for me and hubby, they break...

For those who came off of hormonal birth control, how long does it take for LadyComp to start working effectively?

Thank you SO much for sharing your experiences and any advice/answers would be MUCH appreciated. I'm trying to make the best decision I can, and everyone's opinions and input is welcome.

Hi Meagan,

Alkohol does affect your temperature. If you drink about the same every day, then it does not matter as it is a contnuous disturbance. But if you only drink once or twice a week, then your temperature will rise the next morning. To avoid confusing Lady-Comp too much I recommend forget about the temp reading for that day. The worst that can happen is that you have one or two more red or yellow days than absolutely necessary under stabel conditions.

As for green days:
at the beginn of your cycle they are safe with 99.3%
after confirmed ovulation in the second half of your cycle they are 100% safe. Thus on those days you can enjoy love without hesitation.

comming off the pill it can take just one month till up to a max of 2 years for your cycle to regulate itself. Just be patient and trust your Lady-Comp. In case of doubts - ask.

Hello Pia:

Thank you so very much for answering my questions.

I am nervous about coming off of birth control after such a long time on the pill, but seeing the information here about Lady Comp has helped and reassured me very much. I am sure that I will have more questions as time goes on, but in the meantime, I am getting the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" that many women here have recommended.

I'm still wondering what I should do for bc on the days that are "red" because, as I said, condoms do not work for us...

Once again, thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and thank you Pia for answering my questions! I really appreciate it.

Let's be truthful here, ALL green lights are 99.3% safe, no green light is 100% safe and it is important to know that. There are women who have gotten pregnant on "post-ovulatory" greens, an example right here. Ladycomp very rarely gives false greens where it mistakingly thinks ovulation has happened, but it does happen.


All that said, 99.3% is pretty darn good. It is important to remember that only abstinance is 100% safe, and that it is important to be comfortable in your choice of contraception. If 99.3% safe is not enough for you, ladycomp is simply not the best birth control method for you, and you should continue to research other methods that are better suited for your individual needs.
I trust my ladycomp completely as I have never seen a false green in the almost two years of using it, it has always kept me safe. You can check out my chart in my sig to see how the reds and greens are distributed in my cycles.

As for red days, we do anal and oral. I hate condoms with a passion so we never use them either. If that is not sufficiant for you, there are many different barrier-methods other than condoms you can check out. Such as a diaphragm, sponge, cervical cap and probably a ton more I'm not familiar with.
Good luck!

I used the today's sponge the other day and it was ok...I think it affected my orgasm but that could just be psychological. I bought a femcap to use with natural spermicide (contragel- from ladytobaby.com). I think it is pretty effective like 97%. Or, spermicide foam or films with withdrawal may be a good combination if you can handle nonoxyl 9 spermicide as some people are allergic to it.

Hello all,

I've had Lady-Comp for about a month and before my period it gave me one green and then mostly yellows but post period its given me one yellow and 16 reds. Is this normal?

Yes, I would consider that fairly normal. It will not give you greens after your period until it has detected ovulation. Also, it can take a few months for Ladycomp to get to know your cycle, and it can be extra cautious during that time.

I usually get my first post ovulation green between day 15 and day 19. I usually ovulate quite early and I have short cycles (26 day average). Considering it is very common to ovulate later than me, it it probably very normal to not get post ovulation greens until +/- cycle day 20. Maybe even later. It all depends on our cycle and when/if you ovulate.
I think your Ladycomp is doing it's job by keeping you safe until it is sure you have ovulated and thereby knows you are infertile.

Oh good. I was worried that maybe I was doing something wrong. Thanks.