Plausibility of Menstrual Cycle Apps Claiming to Support Conception
Open accessAbstract
The interval of peak fertility during the menstrual cycle is of limited duration, and the day of ovulation varies, even in women with fairly regular cycles. Therefore, menstrual cycle apps identifying the "fertile window" for women trying to conceive must be quite precise. A deviation of a few days may lead the couple to focus on less- or non-fertile days for sexual intercourse and thus may be worse than random intercourse. The aim of the present investigation was to develop a scoring system for rating available apps for determining the fertile window and secondarily pilot test 12 apps currently available in both German and English (consisting of 6 calendar-based apps: Clue Menstruations- und Zykluskalender, Flo Menstruationskalender, Maya-Mein Periodentracker, Menstruationskalender Pro, Period Tracker Deluxe, and WomanLog-Pro-Kalender; 2 calculothermal apps: Ovy and Natural Cycles; and 4 symptothermal apps: myNFP, Lady Cycle, Lily, and OvuView). The calendar-based apps were investigated by entering several series of cycles with varying lengths, whereas the symptom-based apps were examined by entering data of cycles with known temperature rise, cervical mucus pattern, and clinical ovulation. The main criteria for evaluating the cycle apps were as follows: (1) What methods/parameters were used to determine the fertile window? (2) What study results exist concerning that underlying method/parameters? (3) What study results exist concerning the app itself? (4) Was there a qualified counseling service? The calendar-based apps predicted the fertile days based on data of previous cycles. They obtained zero points in our scoring system, as they did not comply with any of the evaluated criteria. Calculothermal apps had similar deficits for predicting the most fertile days and produced suboptimal results (Ovy 3/30 points and Natural Cycles 2/30 points). The symptothermal apps determined the fertile days based on parameters of the current cycle: Lady Cycle scored 20/30 points, myNFP 20/30 points, Lily 19/30 points, and OvuView 11/30 points. We concluded that the available cycle apps vary according to their underlying scientific quality and clear rating criteria have been suggested. Three of the tested apps were judged to be eligible for further study. The scientific evaluation of cycle apps depends on good prospective studies undertaken by independent investigators who are free of commercial bias.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Several studies have shown that calendar apps are not accurate in identifying the fertile window.
“It is, therefore, unsurprising that several studies have shown that calendar apps are not accurate in identifying the fertile window.35–38”
From Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles (2019) · cites this paper as [36]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Wilcox, A. J., Weinberg, C. R., & Baird, D. D. (1995) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm199512073332301 · Cited by 1,071 · see citing works
Gnoth, C. (2003) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/deg366 · Cited by 457 · see citing works
Wilcox, A. J. (2000) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7271.1259 · Cited by 452 · see citing works
Variability in the phases of the menstrual cycle
Fehring, R. J., Schneider, M., & Raviele, K. (2006) · Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1552-6909.2006.00051.x · Cited by 376 · see citing works
Behre, H. M., Kuhlage, J., Gaβner, C., Sonntag, B., Schem, C., Schneider, H. P. G., & Nieschlag, E. (2000) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/15.12.2478 · Cited by 238 · see citing works
Frank‐Herrmann, P., Heil, J., Gnoth, C., Toledo, E., Baur, S., Pyper, C., Jenetzky, E., Strowitzki, T., & Freundl, G. (2007) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/dem003 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Self-citationBigelow, J. L. (2004) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/deh173 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Moglia, M. L., Nguyen, H. V., Chyjek, K., Chen, K. T., & Castaño, P. M. (2016) · Obstetrics & Gynecology · doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000001444 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
How regular is regular? An analysis of menstrual cycle regularity
Creinin, M. D., Keverline, S., & Meyn, L. A. (2004) · Contraception · doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2004.04.012 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Colombo, B., & Masarotto, G. (2000) · Demographic Research · doi:10.4054/demres.2000.3.5 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Timing intercourse to achieve pregnancy Current evidence
Stanford, J. B. (2002) · Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1016/s0029-7844(02)02382-7 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Direito, A., Bailly, S., Mariani, A., & Écochard, R. (2012) · Fertility and Sterility · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.08.047 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Optimizing natural fertility: a committee opinion
Pfeifer, S., Butts, S., Fossum, G., Gracia, C., Barbera, A. L., Mersereau, J., Odem, R., Paulson, R., Penzias, A. S., Pisarska, M. D., et al. (2016) · Fertility and Sterility · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.029 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
The Performance of Fertility Awareness-based Method Apps Marketed to Avoid Pregnancy
Duane, M., Contreras, A., Jensen, E. T., & White, A. (2016) · The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine · doi:10.3122/jabfm.2016.04.160022 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Perfect-use and typical-use Pearl Index of a contraceptive mobile app
Berglund Scherwitzl, E., Lundberg, O., Kopp Kallner, H., Gemzell Danielsson, K., Trussell, J., & Scherwitzl, R. (2017) · Contraception · doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2017.08.014 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Vulvar mucus observations and the probability of pregnancy
Stanford, J. B. (2003) · Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1016/s0029-7844(03)00358-2 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Identification and prediction of the fertile window using NaturalCycles
Berglund Scherwitzl, E., Lindén Hirschberg, A., & Scherwitzl, R. (2015) · The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care · doi:10.3109/13625187.2014.988210 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Accuracy of the peak day of cervical mucus as a biological marker of fertility
Fehring, R. J. (2002) · Contraception · doi:10.1016/s0010-7824(02)00355-4 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Fertility awareness-based mobile application for contraception
Scherwitzl, E. B., Gemzell‐Danielsson, K., Sellberg, J. A., & Scherwitzl, R. (2016) · The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care · doi:10.3109/13625187.2016.1154143 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Fertility‐awareness knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women seeking fertility assistance
Hampton, K., Mazza, D., & Newton, J. (2012) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06095.x · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Cervical mucus secretions on the day of intercourse: An accurate marker of highly fertile days
Scarpa, B., Dunson, D. B., & Colombo, B. (2005) · European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology · doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2005.07.024 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
World Health Organization (1981) · Fertility and Sterility · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)45671-2 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Determination of the fertile window: Reproductive competence of women – European cycle databases
Frank‐Herrmann, P., Gnoth, C., Baur, S., Strowitzki, T., & Freundl, G. (2005) · Gynecological Endocrinology · doi:10.1080/09513590500097507 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Self-citationManhart, M. D., Duane, M., Lind, A., Sinaï, I., & Golden-Tevald, J. (2013) · Osteopathic Family Physician · doi:10.1016/j.osfp.2012.09.002 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Dunson, D. B. (2001) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/16.11.2278 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Optimizing natural fertility: a committee opinion
(2013) · Fertility and Sterility · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.07.011 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
A comparison of methods to interpret the basal body temperature graph
McCarthy, J. J., & Rockette, H. E. (1983) · Fertility and Sterility · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)47059-7 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Cervical mucus symptom and daily fecundability: first results from a new database
Colombo, B., Mion, A., Katia, P., & Scarpa, B. (2006) · Statistical Methods in Medical Research · doi:10.1191/0962280206sm437oa · Cited by 46 · see citing works
European multicenter study of natural family planning (1989–1995): efficacy and drop-out
Groups, T. E. N. F. P. S. (1999) · Advances in Contraception · doi:10.1023/a:1006691730298 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Fertility Awareness in Women Attending a Fertility Clinic
Blake, D., Smith, D. G., Bargiacchi, A., France, M., & Gudex, G. (1997) · Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology · doi:10.1111/j.1479-828x.1997.tb02429.x · Cited by 45 · see citing works
'Fertility Awareness-Based Methods' and subfertility: a systematic review.
Thijssen, A., Meier, A., Panis, K., & Ombelet, W. U. A. M. (2014) · PubMed Central · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Cervicovaginal fluid changes to detect ovulation accurately
Alliende, M. E., Cabezón, C., Horacio Figueroa, D., & Kottmann, C. (2005) · American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2004.11.006 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Natural conception rates in subfertile couples following fertility awareness training
Frank‐Herrmann, P., Jacobs, C., Jenetzky, E., Gnoth, C., Pyper, C., Baur, S., Freundl, G., Goeckenjan, M., & Strowitzki, T. (2017) · Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics · doi:10.1007/s00404-017-4294-z · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Self-citationBayesian selection of optimal rules for timing intercourse to conceive by using calendar and mucus
Scarpa, B., Dunson, D. B., & Giacchi, E. (2007) · Fertility and Sterility · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.12.017 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Natürliche Familienplanung heute
Raith-Paula, E., Frank‐Herrmann, P., Freundl, G., & Strowitzki, T. (2013) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-29784-7 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Self-citation[How do self-observed cycle symptoms correlate with ovulation?].
Gnoth, C., Frank‐Herrmann, P., Bremme, M., Freundl, G., & Godehardt, E. (1996) · PubMed · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationFertility awareness-based mobile application
Frank‐Herrmann, P., Stanford, J. B., & Freundl, G. (2017) · The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care · doi:10.1080/13625187.2017.1362691 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationA new method to detect significant basal body temperature changes during a woman's menstrual cycle
Freundl, G., Frank‐Herrmann, P., Brown, S., & Blackwell, L. F. (2014) · The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care · doi:10.3109/13625187.2014.948612 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Self-citationVulvar Mucus Observations and the Probability of Pregnancy
Stanford, J. B., Smith, K. R., & Dunson, D. B. (2003) · Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1097/00006250-200306000-00025 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Should spontaneous or timed intercourse guide couples trying to conceive?
Hampton, K., & Mazza, D. (2009) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/dep322 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [20]Künkel T Die Selbstbeobachtung der Frau durch die symptothermale Methode der natürlichen Familienplanung (NFP) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Zyklusphänomenen, Störfaktoren und Praktikabilität der Methode [Dissertation]. Duesseldorf, Germany: Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Düsseldorf (1994).
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles
Bull, J. R., Rowland, S. P., Scherwitzl, E. B., Scherwitzl, R., Danielsson, K. G., & Harper, J. (2019) · npj Digital Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0152-7 · Cited by 404 · see citing works
Use of menstruation and fertility app trackers: a scoping review of the evidence
Earle, S., Marston, H. R., Hadley, R., & Banks, D. (2020) · BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health · doi:10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200488 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Grieger, J. A., & Norman, R. J. (2020) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/17109 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Assessment of menstrual health status and evolution through mobile apps for fertility awareness
Symul, L., Wac, K., Hillard, P. J. A., & Salathé, M. (2019) · npj Digital Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0139-4 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Bonnington, A., Dianat, S., Kerns, J., Hastings, J., Hawkins, M., de Haan, G., & Obedin‐Maliver, J. (2020) · Contraception · doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2020.04.001 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Pfender, E. J., & Devlin, M. M. (2023) · Health Communication · doi:10.1080/10410236.2022.2149091 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Grenfell, P., Tilouche, N., Shawe, J., & French, R. (2020) · Sociology of Health & Illness · doi:10.1111/1467-9566.13199 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Do fertility tracking applications offer women useful information about their fertile window?
Ali, R., Gürtin, Z. B., & Harper, J. C. (2020) · Reproductive BioMedicine Online · doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.005 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users
Karasneh, R. A., Al-Azzam, S. I., Alzoubi, K. H., Muflih, S., & Hawamdeh, S. S. (2020) · Obstetrics and Gynecology International · doi:10.1155/2020/2192387 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Grant, A. D., Newman, M. S., & Kriegsfeld, L. J. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-76236-6 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Periods as powerful data: User understandings of menstrual app data and information
Hohmann‐Marriott, B. E. (2021) · New Media & Society · doi:10.1177/14614448211040245 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Fecundability in relation to use of mobile computing apps to track the menstrual cycle
Stanford, J. B., Willis, S. K., Hatch, E. E., Rothman, K. J., & Wise, L. A. (2020) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/deaa176 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Schantz, J. S., Fernandez, C. S. P., & Jukic, A. M. Z. (2021) · Current Epidemiology Reports · doi:10.1007/s40471-020-00260-3 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Ask PCOS: identifying need to inform evidence-based app development for polycystic ovary syndrome
Xu, R., Gilbert, E., Kuczynska-Burggraf, M., Tan, B., Teede, H., Vincent, A., Gibson-Helm, M., & Boyle, J. (2018) · Seminars in Reproductive Medicine · doi:10.1055/s-0038-1667187 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
What You Do Not Expect When You Are Expecting: Privacy Analysis of Femtech
Erickson, J., Yuzon, J. Y., & Bonaci, T. (2022) · IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society · doi:10.1109/tts.2022.3160928 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Goals, life events, and transitions: examining fertility apps for holistic health tracking
Figueiredo, M. C., Huynh, T., Takei, A., Epstein, D. A., & Chen, Y. (2021) · JAMIA Open · doi:10.1093/jamiaopen/ooab013 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“UPDATE: I’m pregnant!”: Inferring global downloads and reasons for using menstrual tracking apps
Rampazzo, F., Raybould, A., Rampazzo, P., Barker, R., & Leasure, D. R. (2024) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076241298315 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Prediction of ovulation: new insight into an old challenge
Maman, E., Adashi, E. Y., Baum, M., & Hourvitz, A. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-47241-2 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Mobile Apps for Sexual and Reproductive Health Education: a Systematic Review and Quality Assessment
Muehlmann, M., & Tomczyk, S. (2023) · Current Sexual Health Reports · doi:10.1007/s11930-023-00359-w · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Anyone else have this experience
Knittel, M. L., Kollig, F., Mason, A., & Wash, R. (2021) · Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1145/3449153 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Time to Pregnancy for Women Using a Fertility Awareness Based Mobile Application to Plan a Pregnancy
Favaro, C., Pearson, J. T., Rowland, S. P., Jukic, A. M. Z., Chelstowska, M., Scherwitzl, E. B., Scherwitzl, R., Gemzell‐Danielsson, K., & Harper, J. C. (2021) · Journal of Women s Health · doi:10.1089/jwh.2021.0026 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
(Not) Safe to Use: Insecurities in Everyday Data Practices with Period-Tracking Apps
Amelang, K. (2022) · Transforming communications · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-96180-0_13 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Pfender, E. J., & Caplan, S. E. (2024) · Health Communication · doi:10.1080/10410236.2024.2402161 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
The role of menstrual apps in healthcare: provider and patient perspectives
Girling, J. E., Hohmann‐Marriott, B. E., & Williams, T. (2023) · New Zealand Medical Journal · doi:10.26635/6965.5925 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
A scoping review of the information provided by fertility smartphone applications
Ford, E. A., Peters, A. E., Roman, S. D., McLaughlin, E. A., Beckett, E., & Sutherland, J. M. (2021) · Human Fertility · doi:10.1080/14647273.2021.1871784 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Dudouet, L. (2022) · Social Sciences & Humanities Open · doi:10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100261 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Figueiredo, M. C., Ankrah, E. A., Powell, J. E., Epstein, D. A., & Chen, Y. (2023) · Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies · doi:10.1145/3631414 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Digital contraceptives based on basal body temperature measurements
Händel, P., & Wahlström, J. (2019) · Biomedical Signal Processing and Control · doi:10.1016/j.bspc.2019.04.019 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-Tracking for Fertility Care: A Holistic Approach
Figueiredo, M. C. (2020) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/3334480.3375029 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Advances in Precision Health and Emerging Diagnostics for Women
Fitzpatrick, M. B., & Thakor, A. S. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm8101525 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study
Mu, Q., & Fehring, R. J. (2023) · Medicina · doi:10.3390/medicina59020400 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Evaluation of Mobile Applications Intended to Aid in Conception Using a Systematic Review Framework
Hutcherson, T. C., Cieri‐Hutcherson, N. E., Donnelly, P. J., Feneziani, M. L., & Grisanti, K. M. R. (2019) · Annals of Pharmacotherapy · doi:10.1177/1060028019876890 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“What if it's wrong?” Ovulation and fertility understanding of menstrual app users
Hohmann‐Marriott, B. E., & Starling, L. (2022) · SSM - Qualitative Research in Health · doi:10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100057 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Stanford, J. B., Schliep, K. C., Chang, C.-P. E., O'Sullivan, J., & Porucznik, C. A. (2020) · Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology · doi:10.1111/ppe.12642 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Multisite Effectiveness Study of the Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning Program
Mu, Q., Fehring, R. J., & Bouchard, T. P. (2020) · The Linacre Quarterly · doi:10.1177/0024363920957515 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
A comparison of app-defined fertile days from two fertility tracking apps using identical cycle data
Manhart, M. D., & Duane, M. (2022) · Contraception · doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2022.07.007 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Manhart, M. D., & Fehring, R. J. (2018) · The Linacre Quarterly · doi:10.1177/0024363918809699 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Hacking the Cycle: Femtech, Internalized Surveillance, and Productivity
Hajkova, A., & Doyle, T. A. (2024) · Philosophy & Technology · doi:10.1007/s13347-024-00801-4 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Napolsky, I. N., & Popova, P. (2022) · Russian Journal for Personalized Medicine · doi:10.18705/2782-3806-2022-2-1-15-34 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Zyklus-Apps zur Verhütung – sicher oder Gesellschaftsspiel?
Frank‐Herrmann, P., Freis, A., Freundl-Schütt, T., Wallwiener, L.-M., Baur, S., Freundl, G., Raith-Paula, E., & Strowitzki, T. (2018) · Der Gynäkologe · doi:10.1007/s00129-018-4358-6 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citationKersten, M., Korzoum, A., Friedl, T. W. P., Schütze, S., Tzschaschel, M. L. J., Fritz, J., Janni, W., & Hancke, K. (2022) · The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care · doi:10.1080/13625187.2021.2021585 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Hohmann‐Marriott, B. E., Williams, T., & Girling, J. E. (2023) · Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology · doi:10.1111/ajo.13781 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
AACC Guidance Document on the Use of Point-of-Care Testing in Fertility and Reproduction
Nichols, J. H., Ali, M., Anetor, J. I., Chen, L. S., Chen, Y., Collins, S. P., Das, S., Devaraj, S., Fu, L., Karon, B. S., et al. (2022) · The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine · doi:10.1093/jalm/jfac042 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
MC-Tracking: Towards Ubiquitous Menstrual Cycle Tracking Using the Smartphone
Wu, Y. L., Zhang, J., Chen, Y., Shi, W., & Tan, H. (2023) · IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing · doi:10.1109/tmc.2023.3310941 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Algorithmic surveillance in the era of the mental health appsphere
Abdillahi, I. S. (2024) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/ajcp.12743 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Haluza, D., & Böhm, I. (2020) · Reproductive Medicine · doi:10.3390/reprodmed1020010 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Embracing change: Navigating menopause with the help of mobile health apps in Germany
Greffin, K., Muehlmann, M., Pauleikhoff, A., Stelling, B., Muehlan, H., Stach, M., Schmidt, S., & Tomczyk, S. (2025) · Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2025.100320 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Wearable intelligence: can we transform fertility tracking through digital innovation?
Ali, Z. E., Ammar, O. F., Liperis, G., Sharma, K., Hall, J., Grace, B., & Fraire-Zamora, J. J. (2025) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/deaf148 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Peipert, B. J., Harris, B. S., Selter, J. H., Ramey-Collier, K. L., Blenden, R., Unnithan, S., Erkanli, A., & Price, T. M. (2022) · Reproductive BioMedicine Online · doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.11.007 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Manhart, M. D. (2019) · The Linacre Quarterly · doi:10.1177/0024363919870435 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Changes in Exhaled Carbon Dioxide during the Menstrual Cycle and Menopause
Cramer, T., Yeshurun, S., & Mor, M. (2024) · Digital Biomarkers · doi:10.1159/000539126 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Kinderwunsch: Beratung und Therapie in der gynäkologischen Praxis
Sonntag, B., Segerer, S. E., & Keck, C. (2019) · Der Gynäkologe · doi:10.1007/s00129-018-4376-4 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Familienplanung mit Zyklus-Apps – ein Update
Frank‐Herrmann, P., Freundl-Schütt, T., Wallwiener, L.-M., Baur, S., & Strowitzki, T. (2021) · Gynäkologische Endokrinologie · doi:10.1007/s10304-021-00391-w · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationRaith-Paula, E., & Frank‐Herrmann, P. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-59311-0_14 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationDigitale Transformation des Gesundheitssektors
Herrmann, M., Truebel, H., Ehlers, J. P., & Boehme, P. (2019) · Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde · doi:10.1055/a-0607-1140 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Historische Entwicklung der Natürlichen Familienplanung
Raith-Paula, E., & Frank‐Herrmann, P. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-59311-0_2 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationHuang, F., Niu, P., Wang, J., Suo, J., Zhang, L., Wang, J., Fang, D., & Gao, Q. (2024) · Veterinary Sciences · doi:10.3390/vetsci11110572 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
An opportunity for guidance on reproductive health tracking technologies in a post-Roe United States
Katznelson, G., McNamara, I. F., & Shachar, C. (2025) · Contraception · doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2025.111013 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Regulatory gaps in period tracking apps
McMillan, C. A. W. (2026) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj-2026-100515 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Zyklus-Apps: zur Verhütung, zum Kinderwunsch oder doch nur Menstruationskalender?
Frank‐Herrmann, P., Freis, A., Freundl-Schütt, T., Wallwiener, L.-M., Baur, S., & Strowitzki, T. (2021) · Journal für Gynäkologische Endokrinologie/Österreich · doi:10.1007/s41974-020-00171-7 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationMenstrual Cycle Tracking Apps: An Applied Combined Medical and Data Privacy Scoring
Nielsen-Tehranchian, Y., Strotbaum, V., & Pobiruchin, M. (2023) · Studies in health technology and informatics · doi:10.3233/shti230715 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Zyklus-Apps: Familienplanung der Zukunft?
Freundl-Schütt, T., Wallwiener, L.-M., Freundl, G., & Frank‐Herrmann, P. (2019) · Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde · doi:10.1055/a-0870-1751 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationWas leisten neue Technologien zur Zyklusüberwachung?
Gnoth, C., Bachmann, N., & Görner, K. (2018) · gynäkologie + geburtshilfe · doi:10.1007/s15013-018-1310-8
Current Resources for Evidence‐Based Practice, July/August 2020
Barger, M. K. (2020) · Journal of Midwifery & Women s Health · doi:10.1111/jmwh.13147
Acuna, J. M. (2021) · Trends in andrology and sexual medicine · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-70932-7_6
Digitised Fertility: The Use of Fertility Awareness Apps as a Form of ContraceptionPreprint
Dudouet, L. (2021) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.3948791
Alwhaibi, R. M., Alrwaily, H. H., AlJaloud, F. A., AlOfaisan, S. A., AlSutami, N. F., AlEssa, H. M., Alessa, F. M., Khan, R., & Alahmadi, T. J. (2023) · doi:10.2196/preprints.49414
Sacralidad y tabú: abordando la menstruación desde una clase de química
Fierro, W. A. G. (2023) · Revista paca · doi:10.25054/2027257x.3802
Femtech: Marktpotenziale genderspezifischer Versorgung
Korte, L. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-658-41781-9_50
Gemzell‐Danielsson, K., Acuna, J. M., & Kallner, H. K. (2024) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108961097.013
Grundlagen der Zyklusbeobachtung – was brauchen wir für die tägliche Beratung?
Frank‐Herrmann, P., & Malliou-Becher, N. (2024) · Die Gynäkologie · doi:10.1007/s00129-023-05183-w
Self-citationInfluência do ciclo menstrual na flexibilidade de mulheres adultas jovens
da Costa, B. D. D. (2024) · doi:10.47328/ufvbbt.2024.446
Leiva, R. A., & Écochard, R. (2024) · Seminars in Reproductive Medicine · doi:10.1055/s-0044-1791702
Küçükkaya, B., Güler, G., & Can, İ. (2025) · Ege Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Dergisi · doi:10.53490/egehemsire.1391999
Alwhaibi, R. M., Alrwaily, H. H., AlJaloud, F. A., AlOfaisan, S. A., AlSutami, N. F., AlEssa, H. M., Alessa, F. M., Khan, R., & Alahmadi, T. J. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0325652
Mathews, C. W., O'Hara, K. P., Duckers, J. M., & O’Kane, A. A. (2026) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3772318.3791021
Critical Epistemologies of AI Healthcare Apps
Ivanova, M., & Sobey, A. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-15112-4_29
Cedro, T., Południewski, G., & Glinkowski, W. (2026) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app16136469
Reiches, M. W., DiMarco, M., Lee, K. M. N., Pape, M., Bekker, S., Boulicault, M., Danielsen, A. C., & Richardson, S. S. (2026) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119790
Yanık, F., & Tokat, M. A. (2026) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare14203491
- Authors
- Freis, A., Freundl-Schütt, T., Wallwiener, L.-M., Baur, S., Strowitzki, T., Freundl, G., & Frank-Herrmann, P.
- Affiliations
- Heidelberg University (DE)
- Düsseldorf University Hospital (DE)
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
- Venue
- Frontiers in Public Health
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2018-04-03
- Volume
- 6
- Pages
- 98-98
- ISSN
- 2296-2565 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5891577
- OpenAlex
- W2795961229
- Cited by
- 80
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 4
- FWCI
- 14.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Frontiers in Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Open access LMU (Ludwid Maxmilian's Universitat Munchen) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Health and Contraception
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Keywords
- fertility monitoring, fertile window, ovulation prediction, conception, symptothermal method, basal body temperature, cervical mucus, scoring system, app quality assessment, natural family planning
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
