Lifestyle

Digital Birth Control Encourages Women to Ditch the Pill

Is there anything a phone app can't do?

It was only a matter of time before an app was developed to deal with the complexities of hormonal cycles and contraception. Although the age of technology has proven mighty as a new digital method of contraception has just been approved by medical experts.

There are a number of contraceptives on the market which many woman factor into their daily lives. Pills, coils, injections and other treatments give women the ability to plan, control and anticipate their bodies. However, there have been many studies into the adverse affects of contraceptives, like the pill, and how it has been linked to depression.

How does the contraceptive pill affect cycling performance?

While there are already a number of ovulation and menstrual apps on the market which help you plot and plan your monthly cycle, Natural Cycles is the first to be medically proven as a method of contraception.

How does it work?

It’s hard to believe that an app is now considered a contraceptive method, but already the results have been incredible. With over 100,000 users, Natural Cycles is thought to be a more effective contraceptive than the pill.

Developed by particle physicist Dr Elina Berglund, and her husband Dr Raoul Scherwitzl, Natural Cycles can be used by women who are trying to prevent pregnancy, and by those planning as well.

The app uses your body temperature as the primary reading for detecting and understanding your monthly cycle. Throughout the month, your body temperature will rise and fall slightly, which is due to the change in progesterone hormone levels. Your basal temperature is taken when your body is at rest, which is why the app requires you to take your temperature as soon as you wake up in the morning, before you even get out of bed.

Everything you need to know about cycling during pregnancy

Once your monthly profile is pieced together based on your temperature readings, the app will advise you when you’re having a “green day” or a “red day”. A green day indicates that it is safe to have intercourse without a condom, or other contraceptive methods. A red day suggests that additional contraceptive measures should be taken.

With new digital contraceptives like Natural Cycles soon to be making their way to the NHS, medical professionals believe this will help encourage women to give up their chemical and hormonal contraceptives.

Although there’s still a lot of fear surrounding natural family planning, the use of monitoring apps and technologies such as this, are beginning to reshape how we understand our bodies.

To become a Natural Cycles user, you need to Sign up for one of their plans: Monthly payment of £6.99, or annual payment £50.40.

Further information and in-depth analysis can be found on the Natural Cycles website here.