Birth control app highlights emerging health tech market

A women demonstrates using the Natural Cycles smartphone app, in London, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. The mobile fertility app, has become the first ever digital contraceptive device to win FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) marketing approval, enabling women to track their menstrual cycle and uses an algorithm to determine when they’re fertile, and need to use birth control protection. (AP Photo/Nishat Ahmed)

LONDON: The condom, the pill and now, the smartphone? 

Natural Cycles, a mobile fertility app, this month became the first ever digital contraceptive device to win FDA marketing approval. Women take their temperatures and track their menstrual cycle on the app, which uses an algorithm to determine when they’re fertile and should abstain from unprotected sex or use protection. In effect, it’s a form of the rhythm or calendar method.