Bachelor thesis | Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges (LUC) (BA/BSc)
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Aims: The aim of this research is to understand how effective contraceptive devices using algorithms based on basal body temperature can be at preventing unwanted pregnancies. Methods: Three...Show moreAims: The aim of this research is to understand how effective contraceptive devices using algorithms based on basal body temperature can be at preventing unwanted pregnancies. Methods: Three different databases (PubMed, Embase and Web of Science) were searched based on specific keyword profiles to yield a maximum of relevant articles. A total of 85 citations were reviewed from which 10 were included in this study as they met the precise inclusion criteria. The snowballing method was then employed to retrieve an additional 6 relevant articles. These studies were then rated (weak, moderate or strong) according to four criteria of quality assessment. Results: A total of 6 different devices were reviewed in this study: Natural Cycles, Daysy, LadyComp, Pearly, Cyclotest 2 Plus and Bioself 110 (and 2000). All of the 16 studies included in this review supported the idea that devices using algorithms based on basal body temperature were effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy. Considering all methods, the percentage of fertile days wrongly identified as fertile ranged between 0.07 – 7.5 (%) with some methods being more effective than others. The typical use Pearl index ranged from 0.5 to 9.8 and perfect use Pearl index from 0.7 to 2.0. Conclusion: The studies included in this systematic review demonstrate that algorithms based on basal body temperature can be effective birth control methods. The six different methods were all considered effective but difference in the quality of the studies included for each method might compromise some of these results.Show less
