An app to prevent pregnancy? Don’t count on it

Prof Deborah Bateson

writer

Prof Deborah Bateson

Professor of Practice, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney

Prof Deborah Bateson

Fertility awareness apps are being championed as a new approach to contraception. In reality, while the technology may be new, women have been predicting the fertile days in their menstrual cycles to prevent pregnancy for a very long time.

But the growth of the “femtech” industry, alongside a seemingly growing wave of younger women looking to move away from hormonal methods of contraception, has led to a renewed interest.

Fertility awareness methods and apps can help women better understand their bodies, are relatively cost-effective, and have no side-effects.

Yet at the same time, the apps rely on dedicated daily monitoring and data entry, and strictly abstaining from unprotected sex for several days each month. They also leave significant room for user error.

Most importantly, their effectiveness remains to be properly proven with research evidence.

PASSWORD RESET

Forgot your password or password not working? Please enter your email address. You will receive an email with the link to set a new password.

Icon 2

NEXT LIVE Webcast

:
Days
:
Hours
:
Minutes
Seconds
Dr Gabby Mahoney

Dr Gabby Mahoney

Eczema Management Practical Tips

Prof Deborah Bateson

Prof Deborah Bateson

Oral Contraception Updates

Prof Genie Pedagogos, Prof Richard MacIsaac & A/Prof Ralph Audehm

Prof Genie Pedagogos, Prof Richard MacIsaac & A/Prof Ralph Audehm

Panel Discussion on GLP1s for Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes

Prof Clara Chow AM

Prof Clara Chow AM

COVID and the Heart – Short & Long-Term Impacts and Risks

Join us for the next free webcast for GPs and healthcare professionals

High quality lectures delivered by leading independent experts

Share this

Share this

Prof Deborah Bateson

writer

Prof Deborah Bateson

Professor of Practice, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney

Test your knowledge

Recent articles

Latest GP poll

In your perception, how has Donald Trump's election to the US and related political discourse in the media concerning vaccine safety impact on your patients' willingness to follow Australian government recommended vaccinations?

Very negative impact

0%

Somewhat negative impact

0%

No noticeable impact

0%

Somewhat positive impact

0%

Very positive impact

0%

Find your area of interest

Once you confirm you’ve read this article you can complete a Patient Case Review to earn 0.5 hours CPD in the Reviewing Performance (RP) category.

Select ‘Confirm & learn‘ when you have read this article in its entirety and you will be taken to begin your Patient Case Review.

Upcoming Healthed Webcast

Tuesday 14th October, 7pm - 9pm AEDT

Speaker

Dr Sushil Pant

Orthopaedic Surgeon; Sydney Sports Medicine Centre

We invite you to our next free webcast, where Dr Sushil Pant will present on acutely painful shoulder. Up to 4 hours CPD. RACGP & ACRRM accredited.