With the use of technology, almost everything is possible. Through apps, you can now easily book a ride with ease, you can order your favorite dish online with just a few clicks, and you can even talk to your friends no matter how far the distance is. But did you know that a lot of people are already using apps to track their reproductive health?
There are already several apps that offer such service to its users, which are available online. Some of the most used and trusted apps include Fertility Friend, OvaCue, Glow, Daysy, Natural Cycles, Kindara, Sympto, Period Tracker, Clue, Ovia, and Conceivable, as posted by Parents. Some of these apps require payment; some are available for free.
But how effective are these apps? Is their service worth the cost and trust?
To come up with the answers, researchers from Standford University in California analyzed the data of about 200,000 users of two of the most used fertility awareness method (FAM) apps. These apps include Sympto and Kindara. Sympto and Kindara apps are both used to record and monitor body temperature, cervical fluid, and other symptoms that could be related to pregnancy and menstrual cycle. The goal of the study is for people to learn more about these apps and see whether the information gathered by users are accurate or not, especially when it comes to ovulation timing.
The results of the study revealed how these apps could actually work for others but unfortunately won't be accurate for some. "Ovulation tracking apps can be an excellent guide for women who are either trying to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy," explained Dr. Joshua Hurwitz, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist with Reproductive Medical Associates of Connecticut. But since the app follows a particular guide and everyone's cycle is different, most likely it will not be as effective to other people, as reported by Health Line.
For people who have regular ovulation, using an app to monitor their reproductive whereabouts is fine. But the problem lies to those who experience an irregular period. "The more irregular a woman's period is, the less the apps are helpful," Hurwitz added.
So the bottom line is if you want to avoid pregnancy or conceive, and you want accurate results, let go of these apps, and better visit your OB-Gyne instead. It may require you more time, effort, and money, but surely, it will all be worth it. Your doctor will still be the best source for the most reliable and accurate information you will need.
