Fertility tracking has increased after some states

The use of birth tracking technology in some states has increased after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade A new study found that while warning that reproductive-related data may not be safe, it was found.

Data from surveys conducted by Arizona, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin suggests that before the 2022 decision Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health OrganizationMore than one-third of women in these states report using apps or websites to track their menstrual cycles and sexual activity. The percentage of survey participants using fertility trackers increased nearly half in the year after the ruling.

The survey sample consists of different people, so this result does not rule out the possibility that some users do exit the application to protect their personal data. The findings may reflect the rise in technology aimed at improving women’s health, known as “femtech,” said Emily Neiman, a clinical practice lecturer at Ohio State University’s School of Nursing.

Neiman said that while there is still uncertainty about privacy policies related to period tracking, these findings may have a broader implication: Users need to consider whether technology can be trusted to accurately predict or prevent pregnancy. Surveys show that users are less chasing fertility for purposes after pregnancy –Dobbs – This may indicate that they are more likely to count on preventing pregnancy apps.

“I don’t think it’s great for laymen to understand the information the app gives you and the reliability of that information,” Neiman said. “I do think there are a lot of people who are going through menstruation and relying on the app to tell them they’re not fertile.” At the time, there are a lot of people recording there, so it is possible to do unprotected sex – they don’t want to get pregnant. That’s not my advice.”

The study was published earlier this month in the Journal contraception.

Using apps and websites to track cycles and fertility is common: As of 2019, nearly one-third of people with pregnancy abilities used the Internet or smartphone to track fertility or menstrual cycles, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey.

However, technology products vary widely, and free versions of the most popular apps are unlikely to help map out things like cervical mucus, basal body temperature, the location of the cervix or the location that indicates hormone levels of ovulation, such as things that are about to be imminent. Also a certified nurse assistant. Techniques that improve fertility awareness accuracy are often expensive and time-intensive.

Neiman raises research questions after seeing news reports and social media posts Dobbs Warn users that they should delete their cycle trackers to avoid the possibility of using their personal data with which they may use.

“I want to see if this really happens,” she said. “I do think people will be more concerned about privacy and we may see a decrease in usage. I’m a little surprised to see it increase.”

“It seems that there is no attention to the advice of stopping the use of a fertility tracker, and there may be many reasons. It is possible that more and more people are using tracking to identify pregnancy early, so they have the most options or can seek prenatal early. Nursing, but since there are restrictions on abortion, there may be fewer people planning to get pregnant.”

Neiman and colleagues used data from a survey of women that questioned reproductive health in the five states to women aged 18-44. The analysis compared the prevalence of the period of use or fertility tracking technology and the reasons for use before and after June 24, 2022, and the court ruled that the constitution does not grant abortion rights.

The study sample ranged from 2,077-2,521 to 2,145-2,448 before decision.Dobbs. The results show that the prevalence of users is increasing in all states except Wisconsin. The only change in participants’ use of the technology was that fewer reports said they mapped fertility to improve their chances of getting pregnant.

Neiman said that assuming cycle trackers continue to be popular, the user’s responsibility is to fully understand the potential limitations of application fertility predictions and the use of alternative businesses introduced by clinicians in conversations with patients.

“I’m going to say that most users in the easiest app to access are just tracking their symptoms when they have sex and period dates. So it can give you a look at when or when ovulation begins during periods. A rough estimate,” she said.

“I don’t think there is a necessary level of detail out there, and people’s understanding is enough to rely on that. As providers and public health professionals, we can do better to educate around the reliability of the information they get from these technologies, to help people trying to prevent unnecessary pregnancy.”

The study was supported by grants from several research centers from anonymous donors.

Co-authors include Abigail Norris Turner and Maria Gallo (now University of North Carolina); Marta Bornstein of the University of South Carolina; and Guttmacher Research Megan Kavanaugh.