Is Lady-Comp Right for You? (Summary & User Tips about a fantastic device)
This device makes natural birth control about as simple and hassle-free as it can possibly be. I have been using my Lady-Comp successfully for over 3 years and absolutely love it. I have been so impressed with the constant accuracy of the device, despite my somewhat irregular cycles. It gives me reliable and quick information about the status of my cycle and the amount of risk involved in having sex on any given day. This device collects, tracks, and calculates a significant amount of data to determine its daily red/green light displays and cycle information; so, please do not be mistaken that this is just a fancy thermometer or a form of the rhythm-method. The device is MUCH more than that.<br /><br />The Lady-Comp has provided me with very accurate cycle tracking and ovulation signaling displays. Please note that this accuracy is dependent upon the user being very consistent in taking their daily morning temperature upon waking and faithfully abiding by the red, yellow, and green light signals (which indicate "safe" and "unsafe" days.)<br /><br />How do I know it is accurately calculating my fertile days? I have been using 3 cross-check measures: I have been using separate fertility tracking software on my computer to cross-check the information my Lady-Comp provides me. I also intermittently do saliva testing with a small microscope kit to test for impending ovulation (the "saliva ferning" method can indicate rising levels of estrogen which triggers ovulation.) I periodically check the position of my cervix, which is an indicator of where a woman is in her cycle. The Lady-Comp's red/green light information coincides with all of these cross-measures every time. And when it comes to alerting me which day my period will start, its accuracy is always spot-on... pun intended. :)<br /><br />I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE LADY-COMP IF YOU...<br /><br />1) are wishing to avoid or achieve pregnancy naturally, but are daunted by the tediousness of doing your own charting.<br /><br />2) are interested in tracking the patterns and changes in your cycles so that you can better understand your own body.<br /><br />3) want a device to remind you when your period will start. (This feature is seldom discussed, but I find it to be one of my favorite features!)<br /><br />I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE DEVICE IF...<br /><br />1) you are certain that you cannot be consistent in using it each morning upon waking up. (This is much easier than it might seem, however. It quickly becomes routine, especially when using the pleasant sounding wake-up alarm. Using the Lady-Comp takes less than one minute each morning with its speedy thermometer. To me, remembering to do this seems no different than remembering to take a pill each day.)<br /><br />2) you are not ready to stop using hormonal birth control such as the pill, Nuvaring, IUD, hormonal injections, etc. The Lady-Comp cannot be accurate if you are still using hormonal birth control, since these hormonal methods are intended to interfere with ovulation/implantation. (Personally, I find the natural method SO much better for many reasons. The most significant reason is no longer having the terrible side-effects I experienced with hormonal birth control.)<br /><br />SUMMARY:<br />If you are considering natural birth control, would like to achieve pregnancy, or are simply wanting to be better informed about your body, I feel this device is WELL worth the money. The device will last you a very long time; so when you consider comparing its cost to the monthly cost of birth control pills over a few years, the Lady-Comp is a very wise investment!<br /><br />Does idea of completely relying on a computerized device for birth control still seem a bit nerve-wracking to you? If so, I would suggest learning to check your other fertility signals to use in combination with the Lady-Comp. (See the recommended book in following paragraph.) You can also use a barrier method along with the Lady-Comp for awhile, until you gain full confidence in the Lady-Comp's accuracy. Even if you decide to continue using a barrier device along with the Lady-Comp, the information and knowledge it provides you ALONE makes it worth every dollar, in my opinion.<br /><br />Like other reviewers, I highly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler as a companion to using this device. It will provide you with wonderful information that will compliment your use of the Lady-Comp and help you understand your cycles and your body. It even comes with a free trial version of fertility tracking software. I saw a copy at my public library, so check your library if you would like to glance through it first. (I would recommend eventually obtaining your own personal copy, however, as I find myself going back to mine for reference quite frequently.)<br /><br />I wish I had known about this device years ago. I write this review in hopes of encouraging other women that there ARE effective alternatives to hormonal birth control, and the Lady-Comp is one that makes natural birth control very easy.<br /><br />USER TIPS:<br /><br />* Remember, a red light means you ARE highly likely to get pregnant if you have unprotected sex. If you choose to use barrier protection during those red light days instead of abstaining, keep this in mind: IF the barrier fails or is not used correctly, there is a very high probability of pregnancy on any red light days! If it is very important that you not get pregnant, then it would be advisable to abstain from intimate contact during those red-light days! The great thing about this device is that it can provide quick information about the status of your cycle and the amount of risk involved in having sex on any given day. It is then up to the user to decide what to do with that knowledge. You can decide how careful you need to be and how much risk you are willing to assume on those days.<br /><br />* Although the device stores and gives you access to cycle information (such as recorded temps) for up to 6 months of prior use, I recommend periodically going back through the info on the display and writing your daily temps down on a calendar. (You can access these by pushing a few buttons on the device.) Enter these temps into separate fertility tracking software to see an actual chart of your cycle. The device itself will not give you a chart that you can see or print. A printed chart of past cycles can be helpful to give to your doctor, especially when you are trying to achieve pregnancy or if you are having cycle irregularity problems.<br /><br />* Be prepared that it will take several months for the device to become familiar with your cycles. Green light = a safe day. Red light = an unsafe day. Yellow light = the device is not sure or is "learning." You will probably get quite a few yellow lights the first month or two, so you will want to plan to use barrier protection if you don't plan on abstaining on those yellow days. This is especially true if you are just coming off the pill or other hormonal method, as your cycles may be irregular at first. (The device comes with specific instructions for users who have just finished taking the pill or other hormonal method; so make sure you read those first.) Be patient for the first few months; because, soon, you should get very few yellow lights unless you miss taking your temp for several days. My device gave me no yellow lights by the third month.
Rating: 5 stars