Digitised fertility: The use of fertility awareness apps as a form of contraception in the United Kingdom
Léa Dudouet
Abstract
This paper explores the motivations for using fertility awareness apps as a form of contraception through semi-structured qualitative interviews with women living in the United Kingdom who had used such apps and were not actively trying to get pregnant. Given the recent development of apps which can be used for pregnancy prevention and concerns over contraceptive effectiveness, there is very little qualitative research on this topic. The findings reveal that use of this technology is complex and the importance of taking a user-centred approach to contraceptive acceptability. Motivations for using this form of contraception included wanting a non-hormonal alternative, to understand one's body better, particular life-stage and the ability to involve one's partner in contraceptive decisions. Tensions surrounding the use of fertility apps included wanting a contraceptive method which was both convenient to use and offered users a sense of control as well as navigating risky sexual behaviour while remaining responsible.