{"id":7936,"date":"2018-01-24T07:06:29","date_gmt":"2018-01-24T06:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mojababica.si\/will-fertility-only-be-predicted-by-apps\/"},"modified":"2018-01-24T07:06:29","modified_gmt":"2018-01-24T06:06:29","slug":"will-fertility-only-be-predicted-by-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mojababica.si\/en\/will-fertility-only-be-predicted-by-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"Will fertility only be predicted by apps?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fertility Prediction Websites and Apps<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is increasing discussion about websites and apps for smartphones and tablets that are designed to predict fertile days and the onset of the next menstrual period. This is intended to make it easier for couples to plan conception or expand their contraception options. The apps are supposed to provide information on which days of the menstrual cycle the probability of conception is highest during unprotected sexual intercourse. <\/p>\n

How do these apps work?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some digital platforms use existing methods as their basis, where women enter information and fertility signs, such as basal body temperature and observations related to cervical mucus. Other platforms and apps use algorithms and calculations of fertile days, ovulation, and the onset of the next menstruation based on previous cycles. At first glance, everything seems very simple, but it is necessary to understand that the menstrual cycle is influenced by many biological, hormonal, genetic, physiological, and other factors<\/strong><\/em>, so predicting “fertile days” is not that easy after all. <\/p>\n

What do studies show?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since fertility tracking apps have not been on the market for long, there are few studies and research on their accuracy and usefulness. As already mentioned, fertility websites and smartphone apps differ in how they calculate “fertile days” for women, and many calculations are incorrect, as some of the latest studies indicate. For example, 78.8% of apps and 75.0% of websites include days after ovulation in the fertile window, even though it is unlikely for a woman to conceive during this part of her cycle (Setton, Tierney, Tsai, 2016). The mentioned study included popular free programs for Android (from Google Play) and iOS platforms (from Apple App Store), a total of 33 apps, and 20 websites based on search terms “ovulation calendar” or “fertility calendar” in Google. January 1st was entered into the apps\/websites as the first day of a 28-day menstrual cycle. Researchers estimated that ovulation should occur on January 15th. The fertile window was estimated between January 10th and 15th, using the “gold standard” for fertility calculation as described by Allen Wilcox and colleagues in 1995 in the “New England Journal of Medicine” as the basis for the estimation. <\/p>\n

Only one website and three apps predicted the same fertile window. The research showed large differences in results among apps<\/strong><\/em>, with numerous variations in the fertile window, such as the start of fertile days as early as day 4 in some apps and as late as day 21 in others. Websites and apps also differed in determining the length of the fertile window; some determined a 4-day period, while others determined a 12-day fertile period. Among all websites and apps, only day 14 was included in the “fertility window.” Approximately 75% of the fertile days predicted by the apps fell within the “fertility window” as estimated by the “gold standard.” Researchers concluded that the websites and electronic applications included in the study for predicting fertile days are generally inaccurate, although the clinical effect of this inaccuracy is unknown. Although all apps included the presumed most fertile day in the cycle, the range of fertile days varied greatly among apps. Researchers recommend that couples trying to conceive using calendars created on websites and in electronic applications be informed about the inaccuracy of these methods (Setton, Tierney, Tsai, 2016). <\/p>\n

Relying on apps<\/strong><\/em> when using certain (natural) contraceptive methods without understanding these methods (such as the Billings, Creighton, Two-Day, Symptothermal, Symptohormonal, Lactational Amenorrhea methods) may not be sufficient<\/strong><\/em> to prevent pregnancy (Duane, Contreras, Jensen, White, 2016).<\/p>\n

Some other experts (Vitek, 2016) are of the opinion that it is most beneficial to combine the use of cycle-tracking apps with monitoring physiological changes,<\/em><\/strong> e.g., changes in cervical mucus. <\/p>\n

Apps can be a tool for assessing fertility and planning conception, but since there is no real formal professional oversight of fertility calculation apps and websites, caution in their use is advisable.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING<\/strong><\/p>\n

With natural methods, a woman must learn to identify her fertile period and recognize her own bodily changes during the menstrual cycle. The couple must have a good understanding of reproductive anatomy and physiology. These are considered less effective methods, with an effectiveness of 76%. <\/p>\n

It is based on determining fertile days, which relies on five assumptions that are not always reliable: 1. the alternation of fertile and infertile days in the menstrual cycle; 2. only one ovulation occurs in a menstrual cycle; 3. the egg is capable of being fertilized 12-24 hours after ovulation; 4. sperm survive in the reproductive tract for 3-5 days; 5. the woman is capable of accurately observing her cycle. <\/p>\n

Calendar (Ogino-Knaus) method;<\/strong><\/em> determining fertile days<\/p>\n

Fertility Prediction Tests<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Ovulation (Billings) method;<\/strong><\/em> based on mucus assessment.<\/p>\n

Basal body temperature measurement;<\/strong><\/em> in the morning, always in the same place before getting up, after at least three hours of sleep.<\/p>\n

Sympto-thermal method;<\/strong><\/em> a combination of basal body temperature measurement and the ovulation method.<\/p>\n

You can read more about each individual method here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Natural contraceptive methods have few side effects. In general, contraception is safer than pregnancy. The benefit of contraception can also be non-contraceptive: <\/p>\n

Through natural family planning methods, women become familiar with their reproductive physiology and can better plan for unwanted pregnancies.<\/p>\n

WITHDRAWAL METHOD<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is not a contraceptive method in the true sense of the word. The man withdraws the penis from the vagina before ejaculation. The method is unreliable, as some sperm may be released from the penis even before ejaculation. Its effectiveness is 78%. It is suitable for couples who cannot or do not wish to use other contraceptive methods and are willing to accept the risk of an unplanned pregnancy. <\/p>\n

LACTATIONAL AMENORRHEA METHOD<\/strong><\/p>\n

A woman’s fertility can return soon after childbirth. For women who do not breastfeed, it returns on average 4-6 weeks after childbirth, while for breastfeeding women, it returns later. This method, or breastfeeding, is a temporary contraceptive method, but only under certain conditions: breastfeeding is a fairly effective contraceptive method in the first 6 months after childbirth if the woman exclusively breastfeeds and does not have menstruation. <\/p>\n

With perfect use of this method, the effectiveness is 98%, and with typical use, it is 92%. Its effectiveness decreases if the frequency of breastfeeding decreases, during stress, or due to illness of the mother or baby. <\/p>\n

More about contraception at the link below:<\/p>\n

Kontracepcija<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n