Natural Cycles expands clinical research, medical education, and consumer awareness to support growing demand for digital contraception in Canada
STOCKHOLM, Oct. 7, 2026 /CNW/ — Natural Cycles, the Swedish company behind the only digital contraceptive app authorized by Health Canada, today announced an expanded investment in Canada after its Canadian user base grew threefold since the app received authorization as a Class II medical device in 2024.
The growth comes as Canadian women seek greater contraceptive choice, including non-hormonal options. Among approximately 4.5 million sexually active Canadian women aged 15 to 49 who wanted to avoid pregnancy, a Statistics Canada study found that one in five reported that they and their partner did not use contraception the last time they had sex. Contraceptive use and method choice also varied across age groups and populations, reinforcing the importance of access to options that meet different needs and preferences.
“We’re seeing substantial organic demand for Natural Cycles in Canada, and we believe we have a responsibility to invest alongside that growth,” said Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl, co-founder and CEO of Natural Cycles. “That means not only helping more women understand the contraceptive options available to them, but investing in the research, medical education, and clinical understanding needed to support women and healthcare professionals for the long term.”
That foundation is particularly important for digital contraception, a relatively new category that can be difficult to distinguish from the many cycle-tracking and fertility apps available to consumers. Clear evidence about how this method works and its effectiveness is essential both for women considering their options and for the healthcare professionals counseling them.
Natural Cycles has built an extensive body of clinical and real-world evidence globally, including research specific to Canadian users. An analysis of data collected from 8,798 Canadian Natural Cycles users, representing more than 7,000 woman-years of real-world use, found effectiveness rates that were consistent with Natural Cycles’ broader evidence base. Natural Cycles is 98% effective with perfect use and 93% effective with typical use, placing it in the same effectiveness category as the birth control pill.
The research, currently published as a preprint on medRxiv, was shared at the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada’s (SOGC) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, where Natural Cycles sponsored an educational session on digital contraception, including its evidence base, regulatory landscape, and common misconceptions.
Natural Cycles is also establishing a Canadian Medical Advisory Board of OB-GYNs, family physicians, and reproductive health specialists from across the country. The board will help shape Natural Cycles’ Canada-specific research, medical education, and product development. The company plans to announce its first members in early 2027.
Alongside its clinical and medical investment, Natural Cycles is focused on building awareness of digital contraception among Canadian women and making it easier for them to understand and discover this regulated, non-hormonal option available to them. The company recently appointed former Wealthsimple CMO Rubina Singh as Chief Marketing Officer to lead that work globally. Singh helped build one of Canada’s most recognized consumer finance brands and will bring that experience to expanding awareness of Natural Cycles in Canada and other key markets.
“Canada has long recognized the importance of supporting women and families, while also building one of the world’s most dynamic technology sectors,” said Singh. “I think Canadian women deserve to see that same ambition applied to contraception. Natural Cycles brings women’s health and technology together to give women another regulated, non-hormonal contraceptive option, and I’m excited to help more Canadian women understand the choices available to them.”
Natural Cycles expects to announce new product launches for Canadian users before the end of the year, alongside additional Canada-specific research and medical education initiatives.
About Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles is a digital health company giving women greater insight into their bodies and more control over their health. The company pioneered the category of digital contraception, creating the world’s first and only FDA-cleared birth control app, a Class II medical device. The NC° app is powered by a proprietary algorithm that analyzes body temperature and other biomarker data to precisely identify daily fertility status in order to help women reliably prevent pregnancy. Biomarker data can be collected using Natural Cycles’ own wearable technology or through integrations with leading wearable brands.
Today, Natural Cycles supports women across different life stages, from birth control and pregnancy planning through pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. Its technology is backed by six FDA clearances and regulatory authorizations across Europe, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea.
Founded in 2013 by physicists Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl and Dr. Raoul Scherwitzl, Natural Cycles has more than six million registered users worldwide and continues to advance research across its technology and women’s health, with more than 30 peer-reviewed studies published to date.
SOURCE Natural Cycles
