Washington, D.C.-based researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center's Institute for Reproductive Health have launched a year-long study to determine whether a new fertility app, Dot, can help women avoid unintended pregnancies.
Although there are many apps to track women's menstrual cycles, a recent study in The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found the majority are not accurate enough to use to plan or avoid pregnancy. Dot claims to be the only family planning app that only uses a women's period start dates to determine their fertility window, according to a Georgetown University Medical Center news release.
For this study, funded by a U.S. Agency for International Development grant, researchers will examine how women use Dot in real time through surveys and interviews. The researchers will evaluate Dot's effectiveness by comparing its results with outcomes from other family planning options, along with exploring how Dot usage affects relationships.