What in the World

Why are period tracking apps getting so popular?


Listen Later

Period tracking apps help you track your menstrual cycle, so you know when to expect your period. They’re growing in popularity worldwide, with the three most popular ones racking up over 250 million downloads between them. But studies show that some women might also be using them to avoid getting pregnant.

One of the apps, Natural Cycles, has been approved in the US to be used as a contraceptive. The company claims it is 93% effective at preventing pregnancies, when used perfectly. So why are more people turning to these apps? Are they safe to use as a contraceptive and what are the risks?

Sexologist Rayka Kumru from Turkey explains why these period tracking apps are becoming so popular and the privacy concerns around using them. Dr Francesco Rampazzo, a lecturer in Demography at the University of Oxford, tells us more about where period tracking apps are getting the most downloads.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld

WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden and Emilia Jansson
Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Harriet Oliver

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

What in the WorldBy BBC World Service

  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2

4.2

15 ratings


More shows like What in the World

View all
TED Talks Daily by TED

TED Talks Daily

11,170 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,710 Listeners

Business Daily by BBC World Service

Business Daily

533 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,806 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,807 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,073 Listeners

Learning English Vocabulary by BBC Radio

Learning English Vocabulary

534 Listeners

Learning English Stories by BBC Radio

Learning English Stories

385 Listeners

The Conversation by BBC World Service

The Conversation

72 Listeners

Learning English Grammar by BBC Radio

Learning English Grammar

322 Listeners

Learning English from the News by BBC Radio

Learning English from the News

266 Listeners

The Global Story by BBC World Service

The Global Story

287 Listeners

Learning English For Work by BBC News

Learning English For Work

47 Listeners

The Explanation by BBC World Service

The Explanation

26 Listeners

Learning Easy English by BBC

Learning Easy English

120 Listeners