FDA allows marketing of first direct-to-consumer app for contraceptive use to prevent pregnancy

TheU.S. Food and Drug Administration permitted marketing of the first mobilemedical application (app) that can be used as a method of contraception toprevent pregnancy. The app, called Natural Cycles, contains an algorithm thatcalculates the days of the month a woman is likely to be fertile based on dailybody temperature readings and menstrual cycle information, a method ofcontraception called fertility awareness. Designed for mobile devices, it isintended for use in pre-menopausal women aged 18 and older. See the FDA News Release.