Fertility apps are used to track your periods (menstrual cycles), ovulation and to help predict the time that you are most likely to become pregnant. The apps can help you become more aware of your menstrual cycle, but for some people, even with regular periods there are other things that can affect ovulation each month, such as hormone problems.
Fertility apps may not always be accurate
- Most apps are based on predictions: Fertility apps are based on predictions of ovulation timing and when you are likely to be the most fertile, but this may not be accurate for everyone. The apps are often based on algorithms, which usually ask for dates of menstruation, information about your cycles and sometimes temperature, urine tests, and cervical fluid. Based on the information and algorithms, the apps estimate the date of your next period and your date of ovulation. Note, these may not always be accurate.
- Privacy of your information: Fertility apps ask you for information when you signup (eg, typical period cycle and length) and then ask ongoing information about dates of your periods. Some apps do not say how your data is used for example whether the information is sold or shared to other companies
- New Zealand specific apps: Currently there are no Aotearoa New Zealand specific fertility apps, which are based on New Zealand guidelines. Most are overseas apps that include mostly American information.
