Can you rely on a contraception app or gadget?
It depends on the app or gadget, and on you.
Some apps and gadgets are more reliable than others, and some women's cycles are more regular than others.
If you are reasonably relaxed about getting pregnant, and have regular periods, they might be a good option but be careful.
You need to know some cycle basics, and how to make allowances for missed temperatures, sickness and other things that can affect when your fertile days occur.
The NHS website says you should get support (from someone like me) before you use fertility awareness as contraception.
That said, there are some apps - and one device - that could be helpful.
Some apps and gadgets are more reliable than others, and some women's cycles are more regular than others.
If you are reasonably relaxed about getting pregnant, and have regular periods, they might be a good option but be careful.
You need to know some cycle basics, and how to make allowances for missed temperatures, sickness and other things that can affect when your fertile days occur.
The NHS website says you should get support (from someone like me) before you use fertility awareness as contraception.
That said, there are some apps - and one device - that could be helpful.
Apps
Clue is great for recording information but not designed for use as contraception, so ignore the fertile/infertile information unless you're very relaxed about getting pregnant.
CycleBeads - and its sister app Dot - are wonderfully simple contraception apps that are 95% effective with perfect us. Enter day one of your period and they do the rest.
If you are prepared to also record your temperature and fluid/ovulation test results - which could give you 99% effectiveness with perfect use - Kindara is probably your best option at the moment.
It's a bit over-complicated but it does the job.
You could also download the very promising UK app Read Your Body that is currently in development.
I do not recommend the Natural Cycles app, even though I love the simplicity of their screens, and their publicity is impressive.
It only has a 93% perfect effectiveness rate and there are alarming reports of days changing from green (infertile) to red (fertile) after couples have had unprotected sex, so don't rely on it unless you're quite relaxed about getting pregnant.
CycleBeads - and its sister app Dot - are wonderfully simple contraception apps that are 95% effective with perfect us. Enter day one of your period and they do the rest.
If you are prepared to also record your temperature and fluid/ovulation test results - which could give you 99% effectiveness with perfect use - Kindara is probably your best option at the moment.
It's a bit over-complicated but it does the job.
You could also download the very promising UK app Read Your Body that is currently in development.
I do not recommend the Natural Cycles app, even though I love the simplicity of their screens, and their publicity is impressive.
It only has a 93% perfect effectiveness rate and there are alarming reports of days changing from green (infertile) to red (fertile) after couples have had unprotected sex, so don't rely on it unless you're quite relaxed about getting pregnant.
Gadgets
There's all sorts of expensive fertility gadgets out there - monitors and thermometers.
Some aim to help you get pregnant - like DuoFertility, Ovusense and Ava.
Others, like Cyclotest, Daysy, Priya and Persona can be used both to help you get pregnant and as contraception.
This might sound harsh but I think nearly all of them are a waste of money - and not to be relied on.
You're better off with a basic thermometer and maybe a few ovulation tests - the cheap ones are fine, just make sure you follow the instructions.
The only exception to this is TempDrop - a thermometer that you strap on your upper arm at night.
It's a bit annoying having something strapped to your arm all night but it might be worth it if you have very irregular or interrupted sleep.
Some aim to help you get pregnant - like DuoFertility, Ovusense and Ava.
Others, like Cyclotest, Daysy, Priya and Persona can be used both to help you get pregnant and as contraception.
This might sound harsh but I think nearly all of them are a waste of money - and not to be relied on.
You're better off with a basic thermometer and maybe a few ovulation tests - the cheap ones are fine, just make sure you follow the instructions.
The only exception to this is TempDrop - a thermometer that you strap on your upper arm at night.
It's a bit annoying having something strapped to your arm all night but it might be worth it if you have very irregular or interrupted sleep.
The bottom line (nearly)
So, to sum up, apps and gadgets can be an ineffective waste of money and they can be incredibly useful.
Think of them like using a navigation app or gadget - helpful but you still need to be able to handle the traffic and read the road signs.
There is no avoiding the need to use condoms or other precautions for at least nine days a month - more if you are stressed or have very irregular cycles.
Think of them like using a navigation app or gadget - helpful but you still need to be able to handle the traffic and read the road signs.
There is no avoiding the need to use condoms or other precautions for at least nine days a month - more if you are stressed or have very irregular cycles.