Glossary

Accuracy describes how precisely a method measures or predicts. For cycle apps, it is about how reliably fertile and infertile days are determined.

In an anonymised analysis, data are processed so that individual participants cannot be identified. This protects the personal information of study participants.

An app with a measurement system uses not only the user’s own entries but also additional measurement data. These can come, for example, from sensors, wearables or hormone measurements.

Basal body temperature is the core body temperature measured immediately after waking, before getting up. It changes over the course of the cycle and can give clues as to whether ovulation has already taken place. Basal body temperature can be measured orally, vaginally or rectally.

Biomarkers, or biological markers, are measurable biological signals in the body. They can indicate that a particular biological process is taking place. In the context of cycle apps, the focus is on markers that could help determine fertile and infertile days more precisely.

Body signs are changes that can be observed over the course of the cycle. These include, for example, cervical mucus, basal body temperature or vaginal bleeding.

The CE marking shows that a product meets certain legal requirements in the European Union.

Certification is a formal review or confirmation of certain requirements. However, it does not automatically indicate how well a cycle app can actually determine fertile and infertile days.

Cervical mucus is a secretion produced in the cervix. It changes in a hormone-dependent way over the course of the cycle. These changes can give clues about the fertile days.

A cycle app is an app that lets users document their menstrual cycle. Depending on its approval, it is intended for cycle monitoring, for support when trying to conceive, or for contraception.

Cycle data are details recorded in connection with the menstrual cycle. These include, for example, bleeding days, temperature readings, body signs or app entries.

Cycle monitoring means regularly noticing and documenting changes in your own cycle. This can include menstrual bleeding, temperature, cervical mucus or other body signs.

Cycle tracking means recording your own cycle regularly. This can be done through entries in an app, through measurements or by observing body signs.

This refers to digital applications and technical systems that record or analyse cycle data. These include apps, trackers, sensors and wearables.

Effectiveness describes whether a method achieves what it promises. For a cycle app used for contraception, it is about whether it reliably helps to prevent pregnancies.

Everyday practicality means that a method works well in daily life. For cycle apps this means it must be easy to understand, practical and realistic to fit into everyday routines.

Evidence means scientific proof. A method is well supported when it has been carefully investigated in studies and the results are comprehensible.

An evidence assessment examines how meaningful the available scientific data are. This includes, for example, the quality of studies, the number of people investigated and how well the findings transfer to everyday life.

Evidence-based means that a statement, method or recommendation is based on scientific data and not just on experience, advertising or assumption.

An expense allowance is financial compensation for the effort involved in taking part in the study, for example for time, travel or organisational burden.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is the US federal agency for food and drugs, including medical devices, responsible for protecting public health. FDA approval or registration indicates that the agency has reviewed the available studies. However, it is always important to know exactly what a product was assessed for.

Fertile days are the days in the cycle when pregnancy is possible. They fall around ovulation.

The fertile window refers to the period in the cycle during which pregnancy can occur. It covers not only the day of ovulation but also several days before ovulation, because sperm can survive in the body for several days.

Fertility refers to the ability to become pregnant or to father a child.

In a hormone measurement, hormones are determined, for example in the blood. Hormone levels can give clues about processes in the cycle, for example how close ovulation is.

Hormone-free contraception means contraception without hormonal agents such as the pill, hormonal coil, vaginal ring or hormonal implant. The CONtraCEPT project sets out to scientifically investigate digital and biological methods for hormone-free contraception.

Infertile days are days in the cycle when pregnancy cannot occur. For app-based contraception, it is crucial to distinguish these days from the fertile days as reliably as possible.

Before taking part in a study, interested individuals receive detailed information about its aim, procedure, possible burdens, data protection and their rights. Only then do they decide whether they wish to take part.

The menstrual cycle is the recurring process in the body between two menstrual bleeds. During this time an egg matures, ovulation can occur, and the lining of the womb changes.

Molecular analyses examine biological processes at a very small scale, for example within cells or using certain messenger substances. They can help find new clues about fertile and infertile days.

A natural cycle is a cycle without taking hormonal contraceptives or other sex hormones. It can be regular or irregular.

Natural family planning comprises methods in which body signs are observed during the cycle. These include, for example, basal body temperature and cervical mucus. The aim is to determine fertile and infertile days.

During ovulation, an egg is released from the ovary. Around this time, pregnancy can occur. Ovulation cannot be measured directly in everyday life and its timing can vary from cycle to cycle.

A prediction app calculates fertile days mainly on the basis of previous cycle data and average values. Because the cycle changes, such predictions are unreliable.

A questionnaire is a standardised set of questions. In studies, questionnaires are used to record participants’ experiences, assessments or details in a comparable way.

Reliability describes how well a method actually works in everyday life. For cycle apps, it is about whether they can correctly determine fertile and infertile days.

A sensor is a technical component or device that measures certain values. In the context of cycle apps, sensors can record, for example, temperature or other body data.

A study centre is an institution that oversees or conducts a study. It may be where, for example, informed consent, examinations or care of participants take place.

A study group is a group of participants within a study.

A study site is a location where part of the study is carried out, for example a University Hospital.

A sub-study is an individual part of a study within a larger research project. Sub-studies can investigate different research questions.

A swab collects cells or secretions using a soft applicator. In the CONtraCEPT project, for example, cells are collected painlessly from the mouth and vagina.

A swab applicator is a small, soft stick for collecting cells or secretions. It is used, for example, to take swabs.

The symptothermal method is the umbrella term for various symptothermal methods. Several body signs, such as basal body temperature and cervical mucus, are combined and evaluated in different ways. There are very reliable, but also less reliable, symptothermal methods.

A tracker is a system used to record and follow data. A cycle tracker gathers information about the menstrual cycle, for example bleeding days, temperature or other body signs.

A TÜV seal can show that certain requirements have been tested. However, it does not automatically mean that a cycle app is reliably scientifically proven as a contraceptive method.

An ultrasound examination is an imaging examination using sound waves. In the context of the cycle, ultrasound can help observe processes in the ovaries more closely.

Usability means user-friendliness. For cycle apps, it is about whether the app can be used in an understandable, simple and reliable way in everyday life.

A wearable is a portable technical device, for example a ring, wristband or sensor. Wearables can measure body data and pass it on to an app.