A new study shows that most of the fertility
applications to determine the safe days in a
woman's menstrual cycle are misleading.
The research published in the journal
Obstetrics and Gynaecology shows that only
one in 20 websites were accurate in
monitoring the menstrual cycle and predicting
safe days. They also found out that only one
in every eleven apps was accurate.
The study which examined 20 websites and 33
phone apps found that just one website and
three apps were accurate.
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Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine in
New York wrote, "Websites and electronic
apps used by the general public to predict
fertile windows are generally inaccurate."
During the study, researchers went through
Apple iTunes store looking for free menstrual
cycle tracking apps.
The research got 1,116 apps out of which only
108 were selected after apps that were
duplicating their purpose were eliminated. Also
moved from the list were apps that were non-
English, non-menstrual cycle tracking and apps
with price tags.
Out of the remaining apps, 88 more were
eliminated after they did not meet inclusion or
accurate criteria. This left only 20 websites
that were accurate and free.
The verdict was very clear: Most free
smartphone menstrual cycle tracking apps for
patient use are inaccurate. Few cite medical
literature or health professional involvement.
We list accurate apps to aid health care
providers in understanding the key
components they can use to evaluate and
recommend apps for patients.
Looking at the nitty-gritty of the apps selected
as accurate and free, four out of five had
information of conception while half of them
had information on contraception. Some other
features of interest that the apps had included
health education (65 per cent), tracking of
menstrual flow (70 per cent), intercourse (75
per cent); alerts for next menses (65 per
cent).
This research could prove costly to couples
and women specifically either way. With
getting it wrong on the fertility period, women
are prone to miss wanted pregnancies or risk
getting unwanted pregnancies.
During the research, a case was taken for a
woman with a 28-day cycle with the first day
of menstrual flow as day one. It is expected
that such a cycle has ovulation on day 15 thus
creating a fertility window of between the
10th and 15th day of the cycle.
And to this the research found that eight out
of ten of these apps predicted with precision
the 15 day as the day of ovulation.
But the apps differed on the number of days
of fertility being between four to 12 days;
three out of four websites and apps even
include days after ovulation as being within
the fertility window.
Dr Jackson Kioko, the acting director of
medical services says that there is need to
look at the study further to see if there is
need to state that it applies to Kenya.
"Some of these apps we use in Kenya have
been tested and are reliable, meaning the
ones we have in Kenya are reliable," stated Dr
Kioko cautiously, arguing that there is need to
look at the study with the Kenyan audience in
mind.
"Because there is no rigorous screening
process in effect to vet these websites and
apps, we recommend caution in their use to
assist with fertility," the research wrote.
As technology develops, more and more apps
come into the market for use and it is up to
users to b informed on which ones to trust
and which ones not to.
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