Revolutionary App Approved by FDA Pioneers Hormone-Free Method of Birth Control
In the rapidly expanding market for non-hormonal digital contraceptives, Natural Cycles stands out as a pioneering player. This app, exemplifying the trend towards fertility tracking and hormone-free contraception methods, has secured a significant position due to its FDA clearance as a medical device.
The global contraceptive drugs and devices market, including non-hormonal options, is projected to grow from approximately $47 billion in 2024 to $75 billion by 2035. This expansion is driven by growing awareness of family planning and technological advancements. Within the broader FemTech market, the segment of fertility-tracking apps like Natural Cycles is thriving, responding to rising infertility rates and delayed parenthood trends worldwide.
Consumer behaviour shows a growing interest in natural, non-hormonal contraceptive methods. This trend, partly influenced by health concerns over hormonal contraceptives, is evident in regions such as the U.S., UK, and Germany, where there is documented movement away from hormonal pills towards fertility tracking apps.
Natural Cycles, with its FDA clearance, offers a dual function: preventing pregnancy and aiding users trying to conceive. The app, which can be paired with wearables like the Oura Ring or Apple Watch for automatic temperature tracking, is clinically validated to be 93% effective with typical use and 98% with perfect use for contraception. Pricing for full access is approximately $22 per month, with data stored securely on remote servers.
The app's scientific credibility and regulatory backing distinguish it from many other fertility apps, which often lack rigorous validation. Carolina Brochado, Head of EQT Ventures & Head of Growth US, described Natural Cycles as a science-led, consumer-first platform reshaping how women manage fertility and long-term health.
Looking forward, the contraceptive market's compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 4.3% through 2035 suggests a strong and steady increase in demand for contraceptive solutions, including the rising share of non-hormonal digital options. The broader FemTech market, with a CAGR exceeding 13%, underscores expanding investment and innovation opportunities for fertility and contraception apps like Natural Cycles.
As social acceptance grows and more women seek hormone-free contraceptive methods, apps like Natural Cycles are well-positioned to capitalise on this shift alongside technological improvements and increased healthcare integration. However, challenges remain, including competition from other digital health solutions, user adherence, and education on the proper use of fertility tracking for contraception.
EQT Ventures has invested $100 million in Natural Cycles, believing in its potential to reshape women's health and its combination of a proprietary algorithm with intuitive tech. Despite digital ad restrictions on Meta and Google reducing the efficiency of paid marketing for women's health-related products like Natural Cycles, the company has more than four million registered users in over 60 countries.
Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl, along with her husband Dr. Raoul Scherwitzl, founded Natural Cycles in 2013, making it the first FDA-cleared digital contraceptive. In 2018, the app became the first non-hormonal birth control app to receive FDA clearance, classifying it as a medical device.
The company has expanded its scope beyond birth control, offering modes for pregnancy planning, pregnancy tracking, postpartum recovery, and soon, perimenopause support. Scherwitzl sees significant opportunities for innovation in women's health, indicating that the mission for Natural Cycles is far from over.
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