Problem with Using Fertility Apps

You’ve decided that you want to try for a child. It’s both an exciting and nerve-wracking moment. You probably downloaded a fertility tracking app as soon as you started cutting down on alcohol and folic acid. The Problem with Using Fertility Apps

You are not alone. Over the last decade, fertility apps have become increasingly popular. It’s easy for you to see the appeal of fertility apps that promise to help you predict your ovulation and guide you towards conception. Why not take advantage of the technology available to you?

These apps are helpful, but they’re also not always accurate. When you are actively trying to get pregnant, even a slight error in your fertile period could be the difference between a successful pregnancy test and a disappointing month.

We’ll look at the science behind the app, its benefits and limitations, as well as what you should know before you use it to track your fertility.

The Allure of the Fertility Apps: The Problem with Using Fertility Apps

There are hundreds of fertility tracking apps available today. There are many fertility tracking apps available today. Some track your period, others use advanced data such as basal body temperatures (BBT) or cervical mucus consistency in order to predict ovulation.

The majority of apps work this way: you enter dates from your last period, and it generates a calendar that predicts your cycle. More advanced apps allow you to record physical symptoms, moods and temperature readings.

The app will “learn” your cycle patterns over time and improve its predictions. It sounds great, doesn’t it?

Yes, in theory. In theory, yes. It’s more complex.

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Understanding Your Fertile Window

Understanding your fertile Window is essential to understanding how these apps function — and where sometimes they go wrong.

Your fertile period is usually a six-day stretch of your cycle.

• Five days before ovulation is the time when sperm can survive in your reproductive tract.
• Day of ovulation is the day when an egg is released.

The egg only survives for 12-24 hours. Sperm can stay in your body up to five full days. If you have sex during the days before ovulation, the sperm will be waiting to meet the egg. It’s important to have a sexual encounter during this time frame if you want to get pregnant.

What research shows about the accuracy problem

This is where it gets tricky.

Not all fertility apps can accurately predict ovulation, despite their convenience. This can be a problem if you rely on the app alone to time your sexual activity.

Researchers analysed 30 popular fertility applications in a study published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Six correctly identified a user’s fertile period based on the clinical guidelines. This means that 24 apps, the majority of them, got it wrong.

These days are important, even if they were off by only a few days. Even if you miss the fertile period by 48 hours, it can reduce your chances of conceiving that cycle.

Why is the information inaccurate?

Many apps are based on a calendar method, which assumes that your cycle is regular. They also assume it follows a 28-day calendar format with ovulation occurring on Day 14.

In reality, many women do not ovulate on the exact day 14 and have 28-day cycles that aren’t perfect. Stress, illness and travel can all affect your cycle.

If an app calculates your fertile period based solely on your past periods, it may be wrong — especially if you have an irregular cycle.

The role of Symptothermal Tracking

The symptothermal method is used by some fertility apps. It combines information such as your:

• Basal Body Temperature (BBT) — that slightly increases after ovulation
• Cervical Mucus — becomes egg-white, clear and slippery during ovulation
• Physical Signs — such as breast tenderness and ovulation pain

Apps that focus on physical cues in real time rather than data from previous cycles tend to be more accurate. The caveat is: You need to be more hands-on and consistent in tracking them.

It’s important to record your symptoms and take your temperature at the same time every day. You should also check your cervical mucus each day. Some women find this empowering. Others may feel it’s a second job, especially if trying to conceive is emotionally draining.

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Fertility Apps Can Help

It’s not just bad news. Fertility apps are useful in multiple ways.

1. Education: These tools help you to become more aware of your body’s changes, how it works and what signs indicate ovulation.
2. Consistency: Logging symptoms daily creates awareness and a useful database to refer to in the future.
3. Empowerment: Knowing your body better can help reduce anxiety and give you a feeling of control during the TTC journey (trying for a baby).

Even in the 2015 study, which criticised many fertility applications, researchers acknowledged that the majority of apps still predicted the day of actual ovulation fairly accurately, even if they miss a few fertile weeks leading up to that.

What fertility experts recommend instead

What’s the best way to try and conceive a child?

Some fertility specialists recommend using an intuitive approach instead (or in addition to) an app.

Experts’ recommendations:

1. Cervical mucus: What to Look for

It is a reliable sign of fertility. Your cervical mucus will become clear, stretchy and slippery as ovulation nears. It’s like raw egg whites. This mucus is what helps the sperm to swim through the cervix and reach the egg.

You can get a good idea of your cycle by checking your mucus every day, especially after you use the toilet.

2. Sex regularly (and don’t overthink it)

If your cycle is relatively regular, you can have sex every strong two to three days after your period ends and continue until a couple of days after you think that you’ve ovulated. If you have a regular cycle, you can aim to have sex two to three days following the end of your period. Continue this until you feel you’ve ovulated.

Why? This keeps sperm in the system for as long as possible, giving you a better chance of fertilisation.

3. Use an app that tracks symptoms, not just dates

Choose an app that allows you to log in.

• Cervical mucus
• BBT
• Ovulation Pain
• Libido
• Other physical symptoms

Apps such as Kindara or Natural Cycles offer more sophisticated tracking methods than just dates on a datebook.

4. Do not stress about perfect timing

It can be emotionally draining to try and hit an exact ovulation time every month. If you have regular unprotected sexual contact throughout your cycle, especially in the middle of your cycle, your chances of conception will increase over time.

When Should You See A Doctor

It’s time to consult a professional if you have been tracking, timing and logging for a long time.

Here’s a general rule:

• You should see a fertility specialist if you are under 35 years old and have tried for at least 12 months.
• After six months, you should consider seeking help if you are 35 years old or older.

Don’t be alarmed — it doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. You may need more medical support to understand your cycle, hormonal levels or reproductive health.

The Bottom Line

Fertility apps are a good place to start on your journey towards parenthood. They can provide insight, structure and direction. They aren’t perfect and don’t replace understanding your body’s signs of fertility.

Consider your app a useful sidekick and not as your only strategy. Combine it with body awareness, regular sex during your cycle, and a relaxed mentality to give yourself the best chance at conception.

Remember that you are not alone on this journey, no matter how long it may seem. Trust your body and be kind to yourself. Don’t hesitate to seek help when you need it.