Women seeking abortion after using 'natural' birth control

The proportion of women seeking abortions is rising despite using “natural” methods of contraception such as fertility tracking apps, a study in England and Wales has revealed.

This data was published in BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health, Researchers said this showed a “shift” in contraceptive method use over the past five years, away from “more reliable” hormonal contraceptives such as the Pill and towards “fertility awareness-based methods”.

Among tens of thousands of women, use of hormone therapy, including the mini-pill, will fall from 19% in 2018 to 11% in 2023.

At the same time, the proportion of people using natural methods increased from 0.4% to 2.5%. Although still a minority, experts said the increase was significant and “requires investigation”.

Fertility apps can help track fertile days so women know when they are most likely to get pregnant each month or during their menstrual cycle.

They rely on measurements such as body temperature to predict ovulation (when an egg is released from the ovary).

The company says its reliability can be as high as 93% if used correctly.

However, they ask people to take readings and controls when having sex and avoid having sex on days when the app tells them they may be fertile.

The NHS says the method is only 76% effective if instructions are not followed closely. This means that when fertility is tracked for a year, 24 out of every 100 women will become pregnant.

In comparisonpills and mini-pills are 91% effective with “typical use” and 99% effective with “perfect” use.

Hormone coils or implants do not rely on users remembering to take them and are up to 99% effective.

In the study, researchers from the University of Edinburgh compared data from the British Pregnancy Advice Service between January and June 2018 (33,495 women) and January to June 2023 (55,055 women) on contraceptive pills. Whether the use of tools has changed.

In addition to turning to natural methods, more women will report not using contraceptives at all in 2023, 70%, compared with 56% in 2018.

The study authors say it's impossible to say what's driving the trend, but difficulty accessing sexual health services during the pandemic may be a factor.

Lead researcher Dr Rosie McNee told the BBC: “What really needs scrutiny is the surge in the use of e-health, including fertility apps and period trackers.

“The market has exploded. There are hundreds of them, some more reliable than others. And you don't need a prescription, so you may not get all the information you need.”

Abortion provider MSI Reproductive Choices UK told the BBC it was also seeing an increase in women using fertility awareness methods.

Tanya Lane, Head of Contraception, explained: “This may be due to the growing popularity of social media platforms such as TikTok, with more people sharing their experiences… Content creators are entering into paid partnerships with fertility awareness method brands, may influence people to choose this option.

Long waiting times for appointments at GP surgeries and sexual health clinics may also be a factor.

“In some parts of the UK, people are waiting months for an appointment, especially for long-lasting methods such as coils and implants.”

She said any woman considering turning to fertility tracking should consult a medical professional.

“Dispel any myths and misconceptions and discuss the risks of failure so you can make an informed decision,” she advises.

Paula Baraitser, medical director at SH:24, a free sexual health service provider working with the NHS, said women could have a number of reasons for changing their sexual behavior, including concerns about future fertility and possible side effects.

Risks range from mild side effects to rare but potentially serious complications.

She told the BBC: “Many people use contraception for 30 years of their lives.

“People's experiences with hormonal contraception vary greatly and ultimately we need more method options to enable people to find the method that's right for them.

“There have been few new contraceptive methods over the past 50 years, reflecting a lack of investment in research in this area.”

Sexual health charity Brooke said many women use hormonal contraception not just to prevent pregnancy but also to manage menstrual health and make periods lighter and more predictable.

“These benefits need to be part of the broader discussion about hormones,” said spokesperson Lisa Hallgarten.