The digital age has revolutionized many aspects of life, including how women manage their reproductive health. Fertility and period-tracking apps have become incredibly popular, offering women an easy and accessible way to track their menstrual cycles, predict their fertile windows, and even manage contraception. With millions of users, these apps promise to help women “take control” of their fertility. However, a growing body of evidence is suggesting that these apps may not be as reliable or safe as they claim to be. As smartphone apps become more deeply embedded in women’s health, concerns are rising about the dangers posed by unregulated apps that make misleading claims about contraception and fertility predictions.
The Popularity of Fertility Apps Among Young Women
In the UK alone, a staggering 69% of women aged 18-24 have used fertility and period-tracking apps. These apps are seen by many as a non-invasive, natural alternative to hormonal contraceptives, which can have side effects such as weight gain, mood changes, and headaches. Fertility apps, on the other hand, offer women a way to predict their most fertile days using nothing more than the dates of their periods, promising that they can help avoid pregnancy naturally.
However, the reality of these apps’ effectiveness is far from perfect. These apps predominantly rely on basic data inputted by users—like the date of their last period and the length of their cycle—to predict future ovulation. This method, while commonly used for fertility awareness, does not account for the fluctuations in individual cycles, making these predictions often inaccurate. Despite these limitations, many of the apps are being promoted as reliable forms of contraception. For example, one app, Period & Fertility Tracker, claims that its predictions are based on scientific research that helps users determine their fertile days. But the truth is that the app’s predictions are solely based on the data the user provides, without accounting for more complex biological factors like hormonal fluctuations.
Another app, Cycles, claims to offer “accurate” daily predictions of a user’s fertility. Despite including a disclaimer that the app is for “information only,” the app’s description on the app store invites users to rely on it as their “reliable healthcare partner.” This is misleading, as the app primarily uses the standard days method—a fertility awareness technique that is known for being one of the least effective contraceptive methods. A review of apps promoting fertility tracking revealed that many apps presented fertility predictions in black-and-white terms, such as declaring a day as either “fertile” or “not fertile,” without offering the nuance needed to reflect the complexity of a woman’s body.
Unregulated Apps Pose Serious Risks
While some apps are marketed as effective forms of contraception, very few are subject to regulatory oversight. Fertility apps that claim to predict ovulation or prevent pregnancy are often not registered as medical devices, which means they don’t undergo the scrutiny required for pharmaceutical products. According to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), apps that claim to prevent or facilitate conception should be considered medical devices and must meet stringent safety standards. However, many of these apps avoid such oversight by categorizing themselves as general health apps, which are not subject to the same regulations as contraceptive devices.
This lack of regulation poses a real danger to users. A growing number of young women, particularly those aged 18-24, are turning to these apps as a means of contraception, opting out of hormonal methods and relying on fertility tracking instead. However, the effectiveness of many of these apps is questionable. A 2017 review of fertility apps found that none of the 73 apps reviewed could accurately predict ovulation. A separate 2016 review found that just six out of 40 apps had perfect accuracy in predicting fertile windows.
Despite the lack of accuracy and regulation, the apps continue to promote themselves as reliable, and the users are often unaware of the risks they are taking. One study found that the proportion of women using “natural contraception” has been rising steadily in recent years, with an increase in the number of women using fertility apps and other non-hormonal methods to avoid pregnancy. In 2023, 2.5% of women seeking abortions in England and Wales had been using natural methods like fertility tracking when they fell pregnant, up from just 0.4% in 2018. These figures underscore the growing concerns about the effectiveness of these apps, particularly among young women who may not fully understand the risks involved.
The Importance of Accurate Fertility Predictions
For many women, the promise of using fertility apps to prevent pregnancy seems appealing, but it overlooks the complexity of reproductive health. Ovulation can vary significantly from one cycle to another, and factors like stress, illness, and changes in diet can all affect a woman’s fertility window. The algorithms used by many apps do not account for these factors, leading to potentially dangerous inaccuracies in predictions.
In a 2021 review by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK, concerns were raised about the accuracy of fertility apps like Natural Cycles, which is widely marketed as a reliable form of contraception. While the app claims a 93% efficacy rate for typical use, experts have questioned whether the app’s reliance on user-inputted data and the need for precise tracking is enough to ensure its effectiveness. Critics argue that the app may not be as effective as it claims, especially for women who fail to input their data consistently or make errors in tracking.
Even the one app that has been approved for use as a form of contraception, Natural Cycles, faces significant criticism. Although the app is marketed as having a high success rate in preventing pregnancy, many experts believe it is risky for women who rely on it without understanding the limitations of the data and the need for constant, accurate tracking. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) has raised concerns about overstated claims and warns users to avoid unprotected sex, especially during the early months of tracking.
Calls for Regulation and Consumer Protection
Experts are calling for stricter regulation of fertility apps, especially those that make bold claims about their effectiveness as contraceptive methods. Many argue that the current market for fertility apps is a “wild west” of unregulated products, with women left to navigate a confusing and often misleading landscape of fertility tracking options. Dr. Catriona McMillan, a lecturer in medical law and ethics at the University of Edinburgh, has emphasized the need for fertility prediction apps to be required to register as medical devices, ensuring that they meet safety standards and are held accountable for their claims.
Some experts also believe that fertility apps should carry clearer disclaimers about their limitations and should not be marketed as contraceptive methods. Dr. McMillan pointed out that many users may not fully understand the risks involved in using these apps as a primary form of contraception. With many apps offering predictions with little evidence base, the accuracy of the data is often unreliable, and the consequences of making incorrect decisions about unprotected sex can be significant.
The rise in popularity of natural contraception methods and fertility tracking apps has highlighted the need for better consumer education and a more transparent approach to the marketing of these apps. Dr. Chelsea Polis, a reproductive health scientist, warned that unregulated fertility apps could place people at significant risk of unintended pregnancies. She stressed the importance of ensuring that users are fully aware of the limitations of the apps they use and urged for stronger regulation to protect consumers.
Navigating the Fertility App Minefield
As the popularity of fertility and period-tracking apps continues to rise, it is essential for women to be fully informed about the limitations and potential risks of using these apps as a form of contraception. The lack of regulation in this rapidly growing industry is a serious concern, and experts are calling for stronger oversight to ensure that women’s health is not compromised by misleading claims and inaccurate predictions.
Until the necessary regulatory frameworks are put in place, women should exercise caution when relying on fertility apps for contraception. While these apps may offer valuable insights into one’s menstrual cycle, they should not be used as the sole method of birth control. As more research is conducted into the effectiveness of fertility tracking apps, it is crucial for users to make informed decisions and seek professional guidance when it comes to managing their reproductive health. In the meantime, there is a pressing need for better consumer protection and education to ensure that women are not exposed to unnecessary risks.