Unreliable period tracking apps are driving a surge in abortions, reveals study
UNRELIABLE period tracking apps are driving a surge in abortions, a study reveals.
The popularity of software such as Flo, which predicts peak fertility, is being fuelled by growing hesitancy over using the Pill or other hormonal contraception.
But researchers found six times as many women who used so-called fertility awareness methods sought a termination in 2023 than did so in 2018.
At the same time, the proportion wanting an abortion after using hormonal contraception fell from 19 per cent to 11 per cent.
There were a record 252,000 abortions in 2022.
Researchers said the reasons for using apps needed investigation, but warned: “The decline in use of effective contraception and increase in abortion rates have wider implications for healthcare services.”
The findings are from a Scottish study of 88,550 women who used the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in 2018 or 2023.
It found that the proportion wanting an abortion having used no contraception rose from 56 per cent to 70 per cent.
The typical age of women who were using apps was found to have fallen from 30 to 27.
Researchers suggested their use might be down to lack of availability of other contraception.
But they also highlighted reports that social media was fuelling hormone hesitancy.