Fertility app should not be used as sole source of contraception method

A fertility app that became the first, regulatory sanctioned app to be approved has drawn criticism from a New York gynaecology institution.

Natural Cycles is a fertility tracking app that women can use to help pinpoint how fertile they are. It was approved as a class IIb medical device by worldwide regulatory body, Tüv Süd in February this year.

The app works by identifying a woman’s ovulation and fertile window by tracking her period and temperature. Women can take their temperature from underneath their tongue, then record the data into the app which then utilises the unique algorithm, determining whether women are fertile on any specific day. Women can use the app to help prevent, or plan a pregnancy.

Studies have shown that Natural Cycles can be used as an effective alternative to the pill and other contraception methods, but it has also garnered warnings from a New York health professional. 

Dr Carol Dunetz of NYU Langone Gynecology Associates told News 12: “There are a lot of variables to consider. To get the success rate they’re claiming, you have to disregard all these variables.”

However, the classification of the app as a medical device now means that women across Europe have a new clinically tested, regulatory approved contraception to use besides, condoms, the pill and IUDs.

Dr Elina Berglund, CTO and co-founder of Natural Cycles said: “Women around the world are interested in exploring effective non-hormonal, non-invasive forms of contraception – and now they have a new, clinically verified and regulatory approved option to choose from. Our high quality clinical studies, together with the required regulatory approvals, means we can provide women everywhere with a new option for contraception. Natural Cycles allow women to better understand their bodies so they can make choices that are right for them.”