The Performance of Fertility Awareness-based Method Apps Marketed to Avoid Pregnancy

Marguerite Duane; Alison Contreras; Elizabeth T. Jensen; Amina White

doi:10.3122/jabfm.2016.04.160022

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Figure 1.
A comparison of evidence-based fertile days (FDs) and app-defined FDs.

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Table 1.

Criteria for Rating Apps

Very important criteria (weighted ×3)

Authority	Source of rules app uses to determine fertile days
Accuracy (method)	Effectiveness of the method on which app is based
Accuracy (observations)	Accuracy of app in predicting fertile days
Support	Ways to have questions answered

Important criteria (weighted ×2)

Adaptability	Ability to enter additional data, use with irregular cycles
Cost/pricing	Cost of app, transparency in pricing
Ease of use	Ease to learn and use the app and share data
Confidentiality	Presence of a user agreement detailing confidentiality

Helpful criteria (weighted ×1)

Developer/sponsor	Associated with recognized FABM provider
Platforms available	Availability on multiple platforms

FABM, fertility awareness-based method.

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Table 2.

Ranking of Fertility Apps Based on Mean Accuracy and Authority Scores^*

Ranking	Name of App	FABM	Platforms Available	Accuracy and Authority Score (Mean)	Total Score (Mean)
Apps that predict fertile days (n = 30)
1	Ovulation Mentor^{^†}	Ovulation	Web	4.7	4.4
2	Sympto.org^{^†}	Symptothermal method	iOS/Android/Web	4.5	4.1
3	iCycleBeads^{^†}	Standard days method	iOS/Android	4.3	3.9
4	LilyPro^{^†}	Symptothermal method	iOS	4.3	3.8
5	Lady Cycle^{^†}	Symptothermal method	Android	4.3	4.1
6	mfNFP.net^{^†}	Symptothermal method	iOS/Android/Web	4.0	4.0
7	MyFertilityCharts.com	Symptothermal method	iOS/Android/Web	3.5	3.7
8	CycleProGo	Symptothermal method	iOS/Android/Web	3.4	3.9
9	2Day Method	Two day	iOS	3.3	3.2
10	Ova Ova	Symptothermal method	Web	3.3	3.3
11	OvaGraph	Symptothermal method	iOS/Android/Web	3.1	3.6
12	OvuView	Symptothermal method	Android	2.7	2.8
13	FemCal	Symptothermal method	iOS	2.5	2.2
14	Ovatemp	Symptothermal method	iOS	2.3	3.2
15	Natural Cycles	Proprietary	iOS/Android	2.3	3.1
16	Cyclendar	Symptothermal method	Web	2.1	2.2
17	My Fertility MD	Ovulation	iOS	2.1	3.2
18	Menstrual Cycle Woman Log	Rhythm^{^{^‡}}	Android	2.1	1.9
19	Menstruation & Ovulation	Rhythm	iOS	2.1	1.2
20	Cycles	Standard days method	iOS	1.7	2.2
21	iCyclus	Rhythm	iOS	1.3	1.4
22	Period Log	Rhythm	iOS	1.1	1.8
23	Period Pace	Rhythm	iOS	1.0	1.7
24	Period & Ovulation Calendar	Rhythm	iOS	1.0	1.5
25	Pink Pad Pro	Rhythm	iOS/Android	1.0	2.3
26	Fertility Calendar	Rhythm	Android	1.0	1.4
27	Fertility Clock	Rhythm	iOS	0.7	1.4
28	Woman Calendar	Rhythm	iOS	0.7	1.2
29	Fertility & Ovulation	Rhythm	iOS	0.5	1.6
*Apps that did not* predict fertile days (n = 10)**
1	NFP Charting	Ovulation	iOS/Android/Web	4.3	4.5
2	Symptopro	Ovulation	Web	4.3	3.7
3	Fertility Pinpoint	Symptothermal method	iOS/Android	4.2	4.2
4	Kindara	Symptothermal method	Web	4.0	4.1
5	Groove Fertility Pro	Symptothermal method	iOS	2.7	3.2
6	FEMM	Symptohormonal method	iOS	2.7	3.2
7	NFP Project Caruso	Rhythm	Android	2.7	2.1
8	Charting App	Ovulation	Android	2.0	2.3
9	Lady Timer	Proprietary	iOS	1.3	2.5
10	Knowhen	Ovulation	Android	1.0	2.2

↵* The data is representative of the apps at the time they were reviewed (Spring of 2015). Current versions of the app may be different.
↵† This app had either a perfect score on accuracy (app-defined fertile days = evidence-based fertile days) or no false negatives (days of fertility classified as infertile).
↵‡ Rhythm is not an evidence-based FABM.
Glow was originally included in the study because it did not appear to meet the exclusion criteria. However, the developers clarified that the app is not a substitute for an FABM. Therefore, it should not be used by women attempting to avoid pregnancy through the use of an FABM. FABM, fertility awareness-based method.