Natural Cycles launches wristband to replace thermometers for its FDA-cleared birth control app

"Natural Cycles, the company behind a controversial FDA-cleared birth control app, is replacing its thermometer with a wristband that measures skin temperature, heart rate, and movement during sleep. The newly-launched wristband costs $129.99 and syncs with the Natural Cycles app, which uses an algorithm to determine a person's "daily fertility status." Users can already track their fertility by pairing an Apple Watch or Oura Ring with Natural Cycles, but the wristband could be an option for users who don't have either of these devices handy."

"The Food and Drug Administration cleared Natural Cycles as a form of birth control in 2018, a decision that proved controversial, as it came after 37 of 668 women seeking an abortion at a Swedish hospital reported unwanted pregnancies while using the app. Some critics argued that the device received less scrutiny from the FDA when compared to other forms of contraception."

"Natural Cycles initially offered a basal thermometer with its annual plan (or available separately for $14.50) so users could take their temperatures manually. Natural Cycles spokesperson Lauren Hanafin tells The Verge that users can continue using the thermometer if they currently have one. The FDA later gave Natural Cycles approval to collect data from third-party devices, like the Apple Watch and the Oura Ring."

Natural Cycles launched a $129.99 wristband that measures skin temperature, heart rate, and movement during sleep and syncs with its fertility-tracking app. The app uses an algorithm to determine a person's daily fertility status based on data from the wristband or compatible third-party devices. Users can also pair Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and some Samsung devices for temperature-based tracking, though certain integrations are intended for cycle tracking rather than contraception planning. The FDA cleared Natural Cycles as birth control in 2018 amid controversy over reported unwanted pregnancies and criticism of regulatory scrutiny. The company continues to offer a basal thermometer and received FDA authorization to use additional temperature-tracking wearables.

Read at The Verge