It’s been estimated that about 50 million people worldwide use apps to track their menstrual cycles, associated mental and physical symptoms, fertility and pregnancy. However, a new analysis published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The BMJ on Wednesday argues that the risks associated with these apps and other digital cycle-tracking tools on the femtech market do more harm than good.
The authors of the article say that these risks extend to digital menstrual cycle-tracking tools that promote “cycle syncing,” which is when one bases their diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits on their menstrual cycle phases.
“We hope that people understand a lot of the big, splashy claims around cycle tracking and cycle syncing that people encounter on social media or in fitness or wellness spaces are not based on scientific evidence,” Katharine Lee, one of the article’s authors and an assistant professor in Tulane University’s Department of Anthropology, told CNET in an email.
The health risks
Drawing on several studies, the analysis states that sports science research has shown there is no way to generalize about how different menstrual cycle phases affect health, performance or injury risk. These correlations are highly individual. The same goes for research on how diet can reduce cycle symptoms or improve performance, which is generally inconclusive or speculative.
Even if these cycle connections did exist, the article argues that digital cycle-tracking tools wouldn’t be able to predict them. Apps tend to rely on a user’s self-reported menstrual bleeding date to estimate ovulation, the fertile window and future menstrual cycle phases. Without actually measuring someone’s hormones, these estimates can be imprecise, especially considering that hormones and ovulation fluctuate.
Digital menstrual cycle trackers also can’t diagnose menstrual disorders or uncover the causes of painful periods.
“You should work with trusted health professionals if you have concerns — and yes, I know that many people struggle to get their doctors to listen to them about their periods,” Lee said. “People may want to track their cycles for any number of reasons, but a lot of digital tracking apps are no fancier than counting and averaging your data.”
When relying on these apps, there’s a risk that users may downplay health concerns as simply effects of their cycle. Or forgo established diet, exercise and sleep guidelines in the name of cycle syncing.
Privacy isn’t the only concern when using an app to track your cycle.SeventyFour/Getty Images
The privacy problem
There’s also privacy to consider, as some apps allow third-party tracking, don’t publish transparency reports, don’t allow straightforward data deletion and don’t use local data storage, which makes it easier for them to sell data, share it with third parties or be exposed to a data breach. This is especially dangerous in areas where abortion is criminalized or where there is more gender or sex-based discrimination.
While no specific apps or tools were mentioned in this analysis, Lee said that several of the cited references focus on the policies or functionality of specific apps.
Magnifying gender inequities
Despite being used by and promoted to millions, the article states that evidence supporting these tools’ ability to help manage people’s menstrual cycles and overall health is lacking.
These apps also aren’t the solution to gender inequities in healthcare or in the world as a whole. Instead, they put people’s health and privacy at risk while wasting their time and compounding existing inequities around access to safety, rest, nutrition, healthcare and menstrual supplies. This is especially poignant considering that many cycle-tracking apps use the language of women’s empowerment in their marketing.
How should you track your cycle?
There’s no single best way to track your cycle, especially since tracking methods should be tailored to individual concerns.
For instance, according to Lee, if someone is concerned about fertility, they should ensure they track signs of ovulation, including basal body temperature, cervical mucus consistency and luteinizing hormone levels. When managing health conditions such as endometriosis, migraines or premenopausal dysphoric disorder, which can vary with menstrual cycles, monitoring the associated symptoms and predicting the next estimated time of bleeding may be more important than focusing on ovulation.
“Most apps can’t detect ovulation or determine what phase someone is in based just on bleeding,” Lee said. “Even if these simple apps could detect ovulation and cycle phase, there are no generalizable trends in what people experience across the cycle.”
If you choose to track your cycle with an app, make sure you look into its privacy policy. Lee specifically shared research conducted by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, which aims to build a better tech future, and by Privacy International, a London-based charity focused on worldwide privacy protection. You could also use your digital calendar or avoid digital tracking entirely by opting for a pen and paper.
“It’s really important that people understand the potential risks [of digital menstrual tracking], including the possibility of reproductive coercion and if you live somewhere where abortion is criminalized,” Lee said. “It’s already gross enough that some apps share period data with companies to send you targeted advertising, but the safety of your information can be a real concern for many people.”
Anna Gragert
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