A new study presented at the Fertility Society of Australia's Annual Scientific Meeting this week has found that more than 57 per cent of all fertility apps on the market are providing women with misleading info regarding their cycles. This includes inaccuracies around predicted ovulation dates, as well as estimated period due dates.
“This is compounded by incorrect timing for intercourse, incorrect fertile window calculations and pregnancy information," researchers from Eve Health fertility clinic and Queensland Fertility Group reported.
Needless to say, it’s a major concern when you consider that thousands of Aussies are using these apps to calculate their ‘safe’ sex window. Some are unknowingly putting themselves at risk of pregnancy and others trying for a baby may be missing their window of opportunity. In fact, the study’s lead author, Samantha Costa has noticed a significant rise in the number of women coming to her clinic who are using fertility apps and wrongly believe they can’t conceive.
Speaking to The Herald Sun, she said: "I asked one of our doctors, 'How many women are we seeing that are deemed to be infertile but perhaps they are just determining they ovulation cycles using an application that could be wrong?'"
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Needless to say, it’s a major concern when you consider that thousands of Aussies are using these apps to calculate their ‘safe’ sex window. Some are unknowingly putting themselves at risk of pregnancy and others trying for a baby may be missing their window of opportunity. In fact, the study’s lead author, Samantha Costa has noticed a significant rise in the number of women coming to her clinic who are using fertility apps and wrongly believe they can’t conceive.
She added that these apps could be preventing women who are convinced of their accuracy from seeking clinical advice and, as a result, prolonging the time it takes them to fall pregnant.
"They can be helpful. However, if you are trying to conceive and are having problems, don't just take advice from an app. Seek medical advice sooner rather than later,” she said.
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