An Opportunity for Guidance on Reproductive Health Tracking Technologies in a Post-Roe United States.

Abstract

Reproductive tracking technologies are widely used by women to track their menstrual cycles or fertility. While there are many benefits to reproductive tracking technologies, there are also risks with respect to privacy and quality assurance. This commentary outlines the current U.S. regulatory landscape of reproductive tracking technologies following the Supreme Court ruling that eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. There is risk that information from reproductive tracking technologies regarding cessation in menstruation can be investigated as an aborted pregnancy and used against a defendant in a lawsuit. There is also risk that poor quality technologies can have adverse implications on users' health and wellbeing. Individual clinicians can find it challenging to safeguard patients from these legal and health risks. Sexual and reproductive health providers and researchers have an important opportunity to provide guidance on the safe use of reproductive tracking technologies. This guidance can include the implementation of an app evaluation model, curating a database of reproductive tracking technologies or developing an evidence-based app to be the "gold standard."