Fertility and period-tracking apps, often promoted by celebrities and influencers, are being linked to a significant increase in abortions. These apps, endorsed by stars from popular shows like "Love Island", "The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE)", and "Coronation Street", have gained widespread popularity, particularly among younger women. However, their use as a primary method of contraception has raised concerns, with studies showing a sharp rise in unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions among users.
Recent data reveals that 69% of Gen Z women aged 18 to 24 have used these apps to monitor their menstrual cycles, ovulation, and fertility windows. While the apps are designed to help women understand their bodies, many are turning to them as an alternative to hormonal contraceptives. This shift has led to a six-fold increase in the number of women seeking abortions after relying on fertility awareness-based methods over the past five years.
Celebrities and influencers have played a significant role in popularizing these apps. For instance, "Love Island" star Molly-Mae Hague shared her experience using the Flo app, which boasts over 420 million users worldwide, during an Instagram Q&A in 2022. While she clarified that she did not recommend it as a foolproof contraceptive method, her endorsement likely influenced many of her 8.5 million followers. Similarly, Olivia Bowen, another "Love Island" alum, promoted the Natural Cycles app, describing it as a “non-hormonal, non-invasive birth control method” to her three million followers.
Despite the endorsements, these apps are not without risks. Flo, for example, explicitly states that it should not be used as a contraceptive method. However, many users, like Amanda Duddridge, a 39-year-old teaching assistant from South Wales, have relied on it for this purpose. Amanda became pregnant with her third child while using Flo, despite carefully tracking her cycle. She now warns others to be cautious, emphasizing that the apps’ disclaimers are often overlooked, especially when promoted by celebrities.
Natural Cycles, another popular app, markets itself as a “natural birth control” option, free from hormones and side effects. It uses body temperature monitoring to predict fertility and claims to be 93% effective with typical use and 98% effective with perfect use. However, its reliance on user input and external factors like stress or illness can affect its accuracy. Celebrities like Olivia Attwood and Lucy Mecklenburgh have endorsed the app, with Attwood calling it the “golden ticket” for avoiding unplanned pregnancies.
The rise in abortions linked to these apps has sparked concern among healthcare professionals. Data from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service shows a six-fold increase in women using fertility awareness-based methods at the time of conception between 2018 and 2023. During the same period, the use of hormonal contraceptives like the Pill declined by 7.5%. NHS figures also indicate that the use of natural family planning methods has more than doubled in the past decade. In 2022, England and Wales recorded 251,377 abortions, the highest number in nearly 60 years.
Experts caution that while these apps can be useful for tracking menstrual cycles, they are not foolproof contraceptives. Dr. Raj Arora, an NHS GP and women’s health expert, explains that factors like stress, illness, and lifestyle changes can disrupt menstrual cycles, making it difficult for apps to accurately predict fertility. She emphasizes that relying solely on these apps for birth control increases the risk of unintended pregnancies.
The FemTech industry, which includes fertility and period-tracking apps, has grown into a billion-dollar business. While these tools can empower women to understand their bodies, their promotion as contraceptive methods has raised ethical questions. Dr. Tamsin Lewis, a women’s health expert, warns that celebrity endorsements often lack medical scrutiny and urges users to read the fine print before relying on these apps.
