Poor fertility-related outcomes are a severe challenge facing every healthcare system in the world. There is a growing pool of specialised digital health interventions aimed at helping individuals or couples to digest obstetric information and maintain a healthy pregnancy. However, the relationship between these digital health interventions and key reproductive outcomes, including improved conception rates, greater glycaemic and weight control and access to obstetric care, has not been systematically reviewed. Therefore, we aimed to clarify relationships between digital interventions and improving fertility outcomes through a systematic review.
A systematic review of all studies investigating associations between digital health interventions (smartphone applications, telehealth and menstruation tracking devices) and fertility outcomes (live births, conception time) in adults was conducted. Relevant randomised controlled trials (RCT) published before 3 March 2025 were identified by searching six databases (MEDLINE®, Embase, CINAHL®, Scopus and PsycInfo), and citation and reference list checking. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for RCT assessed the risk of bias of included studies.
Twenty studies were included. The most frequently evaluated digital intervention was telehealth, followed by social and online media, and menstruation tracking applications. Telehealth demonstrated the greatest impact on improving glycaemic control among women with gestational diabetes (n=11). Social and online media interventions enhanced utilisation of local obstetric services and were associated with a higher probability of live birth compared to non-users (n=7). The use of menstruation tracking applications was positively associated with an increased likelihood of achieving pregnancy relative to non-use (n=2).
Digital interventions, particularly telehealth, show promise in improving glycaemic control in gestational diabetes, while social media and menstruation tracking applications may enhance reproductive outcomes. Future studies should examine the degree digital interventions improve fertility outcomes alone or combined with individualised coaching. These findings support the integration of digital health strategies in reproductive care to optimise patient-centred outcomes.