Research question

To characterize mobile fertility tracking applications (apps) to determine the use of such apps for women trying to conceive by identifying the fertile window.

Design

An exploratory cross-sectional audit study was conducted of fertility tracking applications. Ninety out of a possible total 200 apps were included for full review. The main outcome measures were the underlying app method for predicting ovulation, the fertile window, or both, price to download and use the app, disclaimers and cautions, information and features provided and tracked, and app marketing strategies.

Results

All the apps except one monitored the women’s menstrual cycle dates. Most apps only tracked menstrual cycle dates (n = 49 [54.4%]). The remainder tracked at least one fertility-based awareness method (basal body temperature, cervical mucus, LH) (n = 41 [45.6%]). Twenty-five apps measured dates, basal body temperature, LH and cervical mucus (27.8%). Seventy-six per cent of apps were free to download with free apps having more desirable features, tracking more measures and having more and better quality educational insights than paid apps. Seventy per cent of apps were classified as feminine apps, 41% of which were pink in colour.

Conclusions

Mobile fertility tracking apps are heterogenous in their underlying methods of predicting fertile days, the price to obtain full app functionality, and in content and design. Unreliable calendar apps remain the most commonly available fertility apps on the market. The unregulated nature of fertility apps is a concern that could be addressed by app regulating bodies. The possible benefit of using fertility apps to reduce time to pregnancy needs to be evaluated.

中文翻译：

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生育追踪应用程序是否为女性提供有关其生育窗口的有用信息？

 研究问题

描述移动生育跟踪应用程序 (app) 的特征，通过识别受孕窗口来确定尝试怀孕的女性使用此类应用程序的情况。

 设计

对生育追踪应用程序进行了探索性横断面审计研究。总共 200 个应用程序中的 90 个被纳入全面审查。主要结果指标是预测排卵的基础应用程序方法、受孕窗口或两者兼而有之、下载和使用应用程序的价格、免责声明和警告、提供和跟踪的信息和功能以及应用程序营销策略。

 结果

除一款应用程序外，所有应用程序都监测女性的月经周期日期。大多数应用程序仅跟踪月经周期日期（ n = 49 [54.4%]）。其余的人跟踪至少一种基于生育力的认知方法（基础体温、宫颈粘液、LH）（ n = 41 [45.6%]）。 25 个应用程序测量了日期、基础体温、LH 和宫颈粘液（27.8%）。 76% 的应用程序可以免费下载，与付费应用程序相比，免费应用程序具有更理想的功能、跟踪更多的措施以及拥有更多、更好的优质教育见解。 70% 的应用程序被归类为女性应用程序，其中 41% 的颜色为粉红色。

 结论

移动生育追踪应用程序在预测受孕日的基本方法、获得完整应用程序功能的价格以及内容和设计方面各不相同。不可靠的日历应用程序仍然是市场上最常见的生育应用程序。生育应用程序不受监管的性质是一个可以由应用程序监管机构解决的问题。需要评估使用生育应用程序来缩短怀孕时间的可能好处。