Are you curious about using technology to track your fertility? You’re not alone! Many women are turning to wearable devices to gain insights into their menstrual cycles and reproductive health. Let’s explore what these gadgets can do and what you should keep in mind.
What Are Fertility Wearables?
Fertility wearables are devices you can wear on your body to track various aspects of your menstrual cycle. Common types of fertility wearables include:
- External skin sensors:
- Wrist-worn: Track skin temperature and heart rate
- Abdominal: Monitor core temperature via flexible sensors
- Ring sensors: Worn on your finger, these can track body temperature and other signs.
- Ear-based devices: These fit in your ear to measure core body temperature.
- Vaginal sensors: Inserted like a tampon, these provide the most direct temperature readings.
You may also have heard of some of these devices under brand names such as the Ava bracelet, Oura Ring, OvulaRing, and others.
How Do Fertility Wearables Work?
These devices track changes in your body throughout your menstrual cycle. They look for signs that indicate different phases, including:
- The fertile window: The few days before and during ovulation when you’re most likely to get pregnant.
- Ovulation: When your ovary releases an egg, usually around day 14 of a 28-day cycle.
- The luteal phase: After ovulation, when your body prepares for a potential pregnancy.
By monitoring things like slight increases in body temperature or changes in heart rate, these devices aim to predict when you’re most fertile. For example, one study found that women had a “significantly lower” wrist skin temperature during the “fertile window” compared with menstruation.
Benefits of Fertility Wearables
There are several reasons women are using fertility wearables, including:
- Convenience: No need to manually track your cycle or take daily temperature readings.
- Insight: Learn more about your unique cycle patterns.
- Planning: Both women trying to conceive and not conceive use the data provided by fertility wearables.
Drawbacks of Fertility Wearables
If you are considering fertility wearables, it’s important to know what limitations or concerns come with using the devices. These include:
- Accuracy: Studies show different levels of accuracy among devices, all of which were less accurate than traditional methods. Accuracies detecting the fertility window were: Inner ear device at 92%, Bracelet at 90%; Vaginal biosensor at 88%; Ring at 83%. These accuracy percentages are “relative to conventional methods.” Measuring hormone levels in urine is still considered more accurate for pinpointing ovulation. The studies even used urine tests to “objectively assess” the accuracy of the wearable.
- Functionality: The devices may be even less functional for some women. One study stated, “wearables are less accurate for female individuals who experience menstrual cycle irregularity.”
- Privacy & Safety: A London university conducted studies that identified “security, privacy, and safety issues” pertaining to fertility wearables and other female-related medical technologies. The devices and apps collected various data about fertility and other personal medical information prone to collection by third parties. If you have any concern about such a product, be sure to read the privacy and consent documentation, or research how the device data is shared.
- Comfort: “Little is known” about how comfortable women find the devices or if they have any “specific design preferences.”
- Limited Research: Existing studies about fertility wearables admit there is a “need for broader research.”
The Big Picture: Your Reproductive Health
While wearables can provide insights, they’re just one tool in understanding your fertility. Your overall reproductive health is complex and unique to you. Factors like stress, diet, environment, and other factors can also affect fertility. Always read the latest labels, online precautions, and consult a doctor before utilizing these devices.
Our team is here to support you and to equip you to make the best decisions for you and your health. If you’re considering using a fertility wearable or have questions about your reproductive health, contact one of our medical professionals confidentially and judgement-free. All our services are no cost and do not require insurance. Call or text us today at 630-360-2256.
