A growing number of women are seeking abortions after relying on natural contraception methods, such as period-tracking smartphone apps, which have proven to be unreliable. Recent research indicates that approximately one in every 40 abortions involved women who had been using these methods, sparking concern over the growing trend of “hormone hesitancy” and a shift away from more reliable, pharmaceutical contraception options.
The study, led by researchers from Edinburgh University, focused on data from nearly 90,000 abortion cases provided by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). The findings point to a significant rise in the use of “fertility awareness-based methods” (FABMs), which track menstrual cycles and other symptoms like changes in cervical mucus or basal body temperature, commonly through smartphone apps. However, these methods have been found to be less reliable compared to hormonal contraception, such as birth control pills, which some women are hesitant to use due to concerns about side effects.
Dr. Patricia Lohr, director of BPAS, explained that the study shows an increasing reliance on fertility tracking, which may reflect either a preference for non-hormonal methods or difficulty accessing other forms of contraception. The research also highlights a concerning trend of declining use of hormonal contraceptives. In fact, the use of these methods dropped from 18.8% in the first half of 2018 to just 11.3% by mid-2023. Meanwhile, the proportion of women who reported using no contraception at all when they became pregnant rose sharply from 56% in 2018 to 70% in 2023.
The study, published in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, compared two periods: January to June 2018, which involved 33,495 women, and the same months in 2023, with a larger group of 55,055 women. Fertility awareness-based methods, which include using apps to estimate a woman’s fertile window and avoid sex during that time, saw an increase in usage—from 0.4% in 2018 to 2.5% in 2023. The age of women using these methods also shifted downward, from nearly 30 years old to an average of 27.
In addition to the rise in failed contraception apps, the research links this trend to “hormone hesitancy” fueled by social media, which has led some women to avoid hormonal contraceptives. The rise in app-based tracking could be seen as a response to this hesitancy, although it has not proven to be as effective in preventing pregnancy.
Dr. Lohr emphasized that while abortion remains an essential option for women whose contraception fails or is unavailable, access to abortion care is critical. She also called for the development of modern contraceptive methods that better align with women’s lives and address concerns about side effects. The findings of this study underline the need for improved, reliable contraception options and continued support for reproductive health choices.
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