Samsung added temperature sensors in its Galaxy Watch 5 series. However, there's not really much use for it. Now, Samsung intends to use it for temperature-based period tracking in partnership with Natural Cycles, a fertility app.
Period Tracker
It's said that the period tracker will provide users with more detailed insights into their cycles, although it did not specify what kind of insights those will be. Samsung did say that the feature will help women view their cycles in a more convenient and holistic way.
The mentioned uses will include retrospective ovulation estimates and period predictions, according to The Verge. Samsung will do so by adapting the algorithm of Natural Cycles into the Galaxy Watch, as well as its fertility technology.
Along with Nature Cycle's contribution, Galaxy 5 owners can use Samsung's sensor technology for the Cycle Tracking feature, which has been approved by The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea and complies with the CE marking requirements.
Dr. Raoul Scherwitzl, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Natural Cycles, expressed that as a company grounded in science and technology, they are excited to partner with Samsung to deliver a premium experience that pushes women's health forward.
Scherwitzl added that the Natural Cycles app has helped millions of women around the world to take control of their fertility. Samsung will leverage the period tracker app's fertility technology to offer temperature-based cycle tracking through a smartwatch for the first time.
The skin temperature-based cycle tracking will be available through Samsung's Health app on the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro within the second quarter in 32 markets. That includes countries like France, Italy, Korea, Switzerland, Sweden, the Uk, and the US.
Natural Cycles Technology
The company is not new to technology that is based on temperature monitoring. Back in 2021, it acquired FDA clearance to gather temperature also using wearable devices, but this time for pregnancy predictions.
It also partnered with Oura Health, wherein a smart ring can collect a person's temperature data so manual thermometer readings are no longer needed. Natural Cycles is also one of the two companies with FDA-approved digital birth control.
Since it is an app and it can store loads of information, it can create a fertility awareness strategy for its users. With the app's assistance, users can have a more informed birth planning strategy, whether it's for engagement or abstinence.
Compared to other apps, Natural Cycle does not use the standard 28-day long cycle. This gives its user a more accurate fertility window since it is tailored to the user. This reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancy or gives the user a more precise date for conception.
Once the app analyzes a user's temperature readings, as well as menstrual cycle information, it will indicate whether or not they are fertile. As mentioned in Healthline, frequent temperature readings help with accuracy, which is where the Galaxy Watch 5 will come in.
The app has gotten good reviews, so the company's partnership with Samsung might just lead to something big. Natural Cycles claims that their app is 93% effective with typical use, and increased to 98% with perfect use.
