Natural Cycles Birth Control App Ditches Thermometer for Wristband
▼ Summary
– Natural Cycles, maker of an FDA-cleared birth control app, has launched a $129.99 wristband that tracks skin temperature, heart rate, and movement during sleep to determine fertility status.
– The new wristband provides an option for users who do not own compatible devices like an Apple Watch or Oura Ring, though it syncs with the same app algorithm.
– The company received FDA authorization to use data from third-party wearables, which allowed it to launch this band without needing separate approval for the device itself.
– In response to privacy concerns following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Natural Cycles states it uses pseudonymization and encryption, collecting only necessary data.
– The wristband was first introduced to a select group in October and is available for purchase separately or included with the company’s annual subscription plan.
A significant shift in fertility tracking technology is underway as Natural Cycles, the company behind an FDA-cleared birth control application, moves away from its signature thermometer to introduce a dedicated wearable wristband. This new device, priced at $129.99, continuously monitors skin temperature, heart rate, and movement during sleep, syncing data directly to the app’s algorithm to determine a user’s daily fertility status. This development offers a more integrated solution for individuals seeking to prevent or plan pregnancy through natural methods.
While the app already integrates with devices like the Apple Watch and Oura Ring, this proprietary band provides a dedicated option for users who do not own compatible third-party wearables. It’s important to note that compatibility with newer Samsung Galaxy smartwatches and the Galaxy Ring is designed for general cycle tracking, not specifically for contraceptive purposes. The company’s original method involved a basal body thermometer, which was included with an annual subscription or sold separately. A company representative confirmed that existing thermometer users can continue with that method if they prefer.
The launch of this hardware follows regulatory evolution. After the FDA initially cleared the app for use with its proprietary thermometer, it later granted authorization for Natural Cycles to incorporate data from approved third-party wearables. This existing authorization pathway allowed the company to introduce its own wristband without needing a separate FDA approval process, streamlining its market entry.
In the current climate, data privacy remains a paramount concern for users of health applications, especially following shifts in reproductive rights legislation. Advocacy groups advise individuals to carefully review the privacy policies of any app they use. Natural Cycles states it employs pseudonymization and encryption to protect user data, asserting that the band collects only the information essential for its fertility algorithm.
The wristband had a soft launch earlier this year, introduced to a limited group alongside a new feature for tracking perimenopause. Technically, the device supports Bluetooth Low Energy and boasts a battery life lasting up to two weeks on a single charge via a USB-C cable.
The Natural Cycles Band is now available for direct purchase. It is also bundled with the company’s annual subscription plan. Existing subscribers are being offered a limited-time upgrade price to add the band to their current service.
(Source: The Verge)
