In today’s day and age, it seems that whenever we have a question about something, the reply is usually, "oh, isn’t there an app for that?" And the realm of contraception doesn’t seem exempt from this phenomenon. In fact, after doing some research, it became evident to me that birth control apps are easily accessible, helpful, entertaining—and there are many to choose from. So I thought it would be fun to put together a list of some of the more useful, fun and practical birth control apps that I could find.
Though these birth control apps can be helpful resources for you to navigate through various areas within the world of contraception, please note that ALL of these birth control apps should be used for recreational or informational purposes only. They are intended to help you find information, locate products, or send you reminders. These apps are not meant to be used in lieu of talking to your doctor or as a substitute for professional medical advice.
1. Bedsider Reminders
Photo Courtesy of Bedsider.org
Price: FREE
Platform: Any smart phone or email
Sign up for this birth control app and never forget to take your contraception again! An advantage to this app is that your birth control reminders can be sent via text or to your email. What sets the Bedsider birth control app apart is the cheeky and sassy reminder messages—they'll have you looking forward to what the next day’s will say. The Bedsider birth control app also has the following features:
- You can set the time messages come in
- In addition to being able to set pill reminders (like most birth control apps), the Bedsider app can also allow you to create messages reminding you to switch your NuvaRing each month, to replace your patch each week, and even when it's time for your next Depo Provera Shot.
- This birth control app will also let you schedule reminders for doctors' appointments, and will tell you when it's time to go get your next month’s refills.
- The Bedsider app can also assist you in locating family planning clinics in your area, as well as help you find emergency contraception (just in case you need it).
- There is a snooze feature to help reduce the chance of pill failure due to missing your pill. If you can't take your birth control when you receive your reminder, this birth control app will resend your reminder in one hour (or whenever you tell them to send it again) to make sure you're back at home when your message arrives.
Sign up for Bedsider Reminders, or you can text "MyBC" to 42411 from your cell phone (your wireless carrier’s message and data rates may apply).
2. iCondom
Photo Courtesy of iPhone
Price: FREE
Platform: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
MTV Staying Alive has partnered with iCondom to release the iCondom iPhone app, with the mission to create the world's largest condom distribution map for iPhone (the first user-generated map of its kind). This birth control app was created to help fight and prevent the transmission of HIV, AIDS and other STDs. iCondom is the only international app for iPhone that can locate condom dispensers nearest to you, as well as show you their locations on a map. Other features include:
- Being able to rate and comment on condom dispensers (e.g., if the machine is out of order or out of stock), so that others can have up-to-date information on the quality of the condom dispenser.
- The ability to add new condom dispenser locations directly from this birth control app. You can also indicate stores that sell condoms and what their operating hours are.
- With the iCondom app, you can search (using your GPS) for the nearest place that sells condoms.
3. Oral Contraceptive Pill Reference
Photo Courtesy of iPhone
Price: $2.99
Platform: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
The Oral Contraceptive Pill Reference (OCP Reference) is a birth control app that contains a database of over 100 different name brand and generic birth control pills available in the United States; it can serve as a basic reference app for doctors who prescribe the pill. OCP Reference features:
- A browse-able index of birth control pills that allows for quick reference of important drug information as well as identification of equivalent, alternative brands. Each pill brand is also presented with color photos of the pills, number of pills in the cycle, and hormone make-up.
- This app can sort birth control pills by name, estrogen and/or progestin dose, and sorts progestin from most to least androgenic.
- It includes a thorough contraceptive effectiveness chart, comparing failure rates against typical and perfect use with other contraceptive methods, including IUDs, contraceptive sponge, spermicide, and various natural family planning approaches.
- OCP Reference also offers a "Browse by Feature" section. Some of these features include progestin-only pills, extended cycle pills, chewable pills, and biphasic or triphasic pills.
- There are browse-able options for non-contraceptive benefits like helping with acne, but critics feel this section should be expanded to include other benefits like PMDD treatment and management of dysmenorrhea, for example.
- A section on emergency contraception.
Simplicity is one of the strengths of this birth control app. It can be helpful for doctors/nurses who have a good, basic understanding of the underlying physiology and distinctions of the various birth control pill brands. In fact, when used by doctors who are familiar with the descriptions of various pills, this birth control app is a convenient way to determine specific pill brands based on the needs of the patient. For less experienced professionals, OCP Reference does not provide information regarding contraceptive management or medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use.
4. BootyLog
Photo Courtesy of iPhone
Price: FREE
Platform: Compatible with android phones, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
Must be 17 to purchase
OK, so this birth control app probably falls under the category of just plain 'ole fun. Have you ever been in a situation where you either had an amazing lovemaking encounter with an individual, or one that you would do just about anything to forget? Well, the BootyLog app is the modern-day alternative to your little black book. This app is a creation of Bedsider, which is operated by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. BootyLog's objective is to normalize conversations about sex, thus allowing for a healthier environment and healthier people through better decision-making. This birth control app:
- Allows you to log anything and everything related to your sexual encounters (after all, if it was that good, you don’t want to forget the person’s name or how to contact him/her again!).
- Use it to record and keep track of all of your dating experiences, from who may be relationship-worthy material, flirting episodes, unexpected hook-ups, potential new relationships, breakups, crushes (the ones you want to see again), hot dates, the best person to call for a booty call, who is better off as a friend, etc.
- You can even chart the nights you hit the town solo or with some friends. Keep track of dates, especially if sexual intercourse occurred. Just in case your period is late and you may be pregnant, this can help you backtrack to a possible conception time.
And if you're wondering what others are up to, BootyLog lets you see what others have been doing. But don’t worry—this is all anonymous, so you can have your excitement and your privacy protected as well.
5. myPatch
Photo Courtesy of iPhone
Price: $2.99 (iOS), FREE (android)
Platform: Compatible with android phones, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. The app can also be configured to send text messages or e-mail reminders.
myPatch is a birth control app designed especially for women who use the contraceptive patch. It offers some great and convenient features:
- Most importantly, the app will send you a reminder to remove your patch, and when it’s time to apply a new one. Plus, the reminders will automatically continue with each pack of patches.
- Use myPatch to plan your schedule 6 months in advance, simply by swiping your finger over a pack to figure out the dates of patch removal and replacement. This can alert you to when you may be getting your withdrawal period, so you can plan trips around this time or plan to purchase additional patches to use as a way to skip your period altogether.
- There is a built-in, editable note taker to write down questions you may want to discuss with your doctor, keep track of start dates, or create notes indicating if and which side effects occurred.
- This birth control app can be configured to remind you when you need to buy next month’s supply of patches or schedule your next doctor’s appointment.
- There are different backgrounds to choose from, as well as realistic patch graphics, and a monthly view calendar with marked contraceptive patch usage days.
The myPatch app makes it easy to change the start date of your patch at any given time. You can choose your daily notification time, and choose a custom alert message (to be more discreet). This birth control app also offers a snooze feature and guarantees privacy with optional password protection. Completely eliminate the need to keep creating and deleting patch reminders!
6. ScanAvert
Photo Courtesy of iPhone
Price: $1.99 (for first month)
Platform: Compatible with android phones, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
Though this is not specifically a birth control app, ScanAvert makes it super easy to find products that are compatible with certain health restrictions or lifestyle preferences you may have. You simply register a health profile, scan product bar codes, and receive instantaneous and detailed compatibility/incompatibility results. This way, you can make informed decisions about the products you choose to use. This app can:
- Inform you of the ingredients in over-the-counter contraceptives such as the Today Sponge, spermicides (like VCF), fc female condoms, and latex, polyurethane, natural and SKYN (non-latex) male condoms.
- Tell you what is in your favorite personal, water-based lubricants like Astroglide or silicone-based lubes.
- Advise you of suggested substitutes if there is an ingredient that is unsuited for you. ScanAvert will also send you an auto-notification if any of the products in your scanning history have been recalled.
This app can help you avoid OTC birth control that has ingredients you may be allergic to (like latex). If you are concerned about what is in your condoms or lubricants (such as parabens or glycerin), this app can help ease some of your worries. ScanAvert is continuously verifying product information and adding new products to its database. Although the actual app is free, ScanAvert is a subscription-based service. You can pay-as-you-go for $1.99 per month, choose a 6 month subscription for $9.99, or 12 months for $16.99.
7. Contraception i-pocketcards
Photo Courtesy of iPhone
Price: $3.99
Platform: Compatible with iPhone and iPad
Contraception i-pocketcards has received rave reviews and can be found in the "What's Hot" section of the Appstore. This birth control app is a wonderful resource for all types of women’s health-care providers—from medical students to professionals who typically or infrequently prescribe contraception. This app is comprised of six pocket cards that include all of the need-to-know information about contraception. Content can be viewed via the pocket cards or through a table of contents. This birth control app includes:
- A table that compares contraception efficacy rates for different contraception methods.
- General prescribing information about types of birth control pills, their use and their safety.
- Contraception recommendations for special cases, such as which pill to prescribe for nursing mothers, for those at risk of blood clots, for women who have menorrhagia, or for those who want to regulate or reduce the frequency of their periods.
- Guidelines for progestin-only contraceptives as well as IUDs
- Quick Start algorithms to instruct women how and when to begin using a new prescription birth control method.
- World Health Organization guidelines for contraceptive safety in women with various co-existing health conditions or who are taking medications with possible drug interactions.
- A list of contraindications for estrogen-containing contraceptive methods.
- A section comparing progestin-only pills, combination pills and ParaGard IUDs as emergency contraceptives.
- Tables of US birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives that include formulation information (estrogen and progestin content and type), androgenic activity, and brand names.
The Contraception i-pocketcards birth control app provides you with fundamental information on most contraceptive methods and in-depth information on oral contraceptives. The manufacturer provides free updates and email support. Even though this app offers a lot of information, critics say that it should include algorithms for beginning emergency contraception and permanent sterilization information. Contraception i-pocketcards could also benefit from the inclusion of material to assist doctors and women in choosing the method that may be the best fit for the patient.
8. Condom Pro
Photo Courtesy of iPhone
Price: FREE
Platform: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
Must be 17 to purchase
Are you a condom pro? This birth control app is actually a game designed to test your condom skills. The app was created because many people do not really know how to properly use a condom (even though they think they do!). Though condoms are the only birth control method to offer STD protection, if you don’t put them on the right way, it doesn’t matter how effective they can be. This birth control app:
- Allows you to unwrap condoms and practice putting them on random objects, like fish or flowers.
- Offers useful condom information while playing.
Though Condom Pro is really just a game, people have reported that it is clever, fun to play, has great sound effects and graphics, and provides helpful information and practice.
9. myPill
Photo Courtesy of iPhone
Price: FREE
Platform: Compatible with iPhone and iPad
The myPill birth control app reminds you to take your birth control. It can be used for the pill, NuvaRing and patch, so it allows you to configure the active and placebo/break days to correspond to your birth control method. The app is interactive: with the pill setting, there is a graphic that looks just like a four-week pack. As each day passes, a pill disappears. myPill offers the following features:
- A daily, customizable reminder message that can be sent via text or through email as well as reminders to take your placebo pills. Also features a snooze alert (that you can arrange), that stops once you have taken your contraception.
- Various contraception themes to choose from: there is a NuvaRing theme (to remind you when to insert and remove your NuvaRing) as well as color themes and a seasonal theme (for pills that reduce your periods to 4 times a year).
- Allows you to change your pack start date at any time. You can also customize how many active (hormone) pills are in your pack (good for extended cycle pills like Seasonique).
- There is a history section where you can write notes, record side effects, spotting and period dates. You can track your start date, missed pills, and time you took the pill each day.
- The myPill planner reminds you of when to purchase new pill packs, call the doctor, schedule yearly exams, and stores your prescription information. The app also shows you how many pills are left in your pack.
- There is a monthly view calendar that marks each day that you took your pill. myPill also allows you to plan ahead for 6 months, so you can determine when you will have your period, and when you will need new pill packs (this is helpful if you know you are going to be away: will you need to start a new pack while you are gone? Will you be on your period, and if so, you can choose to use the pill to skip it).
