You would think certain subjects would be considered taboo when it comes to smartphone apps, and one such area would be birth control and contraception. However, it appears that this isn’t the case, as there are a wide variety of apps that deal with the topic of contraception and unwanted pregnancy. These apps are interesting, entertaining and extremely helpful. That said, there is no real substitute for actually speaking to a doctor or seeking medical advice. Therefore, it is recommended that these apps to prevent an unwanted pregnancy are used as a guide or reminders.
Apps to Prevent An Unwanted Pregnancy
myPill Contraception Reminder
This app is available for both Android and iPhone and can also be accessed via email. The main benefit of this particular app is to send you timely reminders of when you need to be taking your birth control pills. The reminders can be sent through to your device of choice via either email or text. The messages are typically quite humorous in nature, so they should bring a smile to your face.
Other features of this app include a system to schedule all of your doctor’s or clinic appointments, as well as a reminder of when to get your next batch of pills. You will also find a family planning clinic locator, which will help you scan the local area in case of an emergency. Finally, much like an alarm clock, the app also features a snooze button. If for whatever reason you are unable to take your pill at the correct time, press the snooze button and you will be reminded again in an hour.
iCondom
As the name suggests, the iCondom app is specifically geared towards Apple products and can be used with an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The app is brought to you by iCondom and MTV Staying Alive and is basically a map of locations and facilities that sell condoms. The app is very versatile and can be used anywhere in the world.
Other features include being able to comment about a certain distributor of condoms, as well as rating their overall service. You also have the ability to add new locations to the map if you happen to come across a shop/chemist/condom dispenser that isn’t mentioned. The app basically uses GPS to locate the nearest condom dispenser to you, so you never need to worry about being caught short.
BootyLog
Admittedly, Bootylog is more for fun than anything else. It is compatible with all Apple products as well as Android phones. The app is more specifically aimed at allowing you to log and make notes about a sexual encounter… let’s call it an interactive little black book.
You can write down notes about any recent dates you’ve been on, rate how well things went, and then keep track of everything you’ve done and experienced on there. It does also have a serious side if used correctly – imagine if you do happen to fall pregnant or you’re late for your period, you can use the app to gauge the possible time of conception.
Martha Jackson is a gynaecologist by profession. She is an experienced campaigner and has taken part in many awareness campaigns on issues likes pregnancy termination, child care etc. She is vociferous about the use of technology in matters of health and discusses issues related to medical technology on her blog.
Leave a Reply