Source: Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
“Fool around and find out!” That’s the advice from Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa – but only when it comes to their new online game, ‘Wheel of Fertility’.
Available now on the Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa website, ‘Wheel of Fertility’ provides the chance to explore your options online without real world consequences.
The interactive game began as a sparkle in the eye of Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa’s Chief Executive, Jackie Edmond.
“I’m so excited to see this game come to life online. Our aim was to come up with a lighthearted new way of talking about some potentially heavy topics,” said Jackie.
Players can input random data, like age, height, weight, lifestyle factors, contraceptives, and menstrual phase, then tap the “Let’s Have Sex” button to spin the ‘Wheel of Fertility’ and discover the chances of getting pregnant or catching an STI.
Shocked by the results? Re-play the game, change your inputs and see which factors are having the most impact on your chances.
Jackie continued: “Having seen a conference presentation about improving people’s knowledge on what impacts their fertility, I wondered if we could make this information available for our clients to ‘self-serve’ but in an easily digestible way. So then our team came up with the idea for ‘Wheel of Fertility’.”
The interactive game is a first for the organisation which has been operating since 1936. Formerly known as Family Planning, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa partnered with Christchurch-based game developers CerebralFix for this innovative approach. The browser-based game is available on Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa’s website and can be played on smartphone or desktop computer.
“We loved collaborating on ‘Wheel of Fertility’ – it’s not every day you get to help turn important sexual health info into a game that’s so fun to play,” said Chelsea Rapp, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Cerebral Fix. “It’s playful, eye-opening, and a great example of how digital tools can support better wellbeing.”
“The testers who have been trialling the game have praised the fun design – and told us they’ve learnt new things about contraception options and the menstrual cycle, all while having a bit of a giggle.”
Jackie Edmond reiterated that ‘Wheel of Fertility’ is intended to increase awareness around fertility and STIs, and that the online outcomes are not real medical results.
“This game is a bit of fun and we hope people will enjoy fooling around with it. But of course, if you want to have a serious conversation about your fertility, our clinics are here to provide expert information, advice, and care.”
Note to editors: Formerly Family Planning, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa is the country’s largest provider of sexual and reproductive health services, committed to delivering equity, access and choice for all New Zealanders.
