A survey of women's experiences of using period tracker applications: Attitudes, ovulation prediction and how the accuracy of the app in predicting period start dates affects their feelings and behaviours

Abstract

Introduction: Using an online survey, the aim of this study was to ask women about their real-life experiences of using period tracker apps, their attitudes towards using their app, the information the app provided regarding ovulation and how the accuracy of the app in predicting period start dates affects their feelings and behaviours if their period comes earlier or later than predicted.

Methods: This mixed-methods observational study was conducted by an online survey of 50 multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The survey was generated with Qualtrics XM^® and promoted via social media. It was open to any person who had used a period tracker.

Results: From 375 total responses, 330 complete responses were obtained, giving a completion rate of 88.0%. Respondents were aged between 14 and 54, with a mean age of 26.0 (±7.81). When asked what was the best thing about using the app, 29.7% (98/330) of respondents selected 'To know when I'm ovulating'. Respondents were asked if their period ever started earlier than the app predicted; 54.9% (189/330) said it had and 72.1% (238/330) said it had started later than predicted. When asked how they felt if their period arrived earlier or later than expected, thematic analysis of periods starting earlier revealed four themes: feeling unaffected, being frustrated/unprepared, feeling anxious/stressed and feeling confused/intrigued. Thematic analysis when their period arrived later revealed six themes: anxious/concerned about pregnancy, disappointed about pregnancy, seeking advice/informing healthcare professionals, thoughts about menopause, feeling unaffected and being better prepared.

Conclusion: Period trackers need to be clearer on their intended use and reliability, especially for period due date and ovulation. Qualitative analysis shows the impact of inaccurate predictions on aspects of the users' health. This study calls for period tracker app companies to update their apps to provide transparency to their users about their intended use and capabilities.

Keywords: menstrual cycle; ovulation; period; period app; period tracker.

Figure 1.

A graph showing the women’s responses regarding the characteristics of their menstrual cycle (a) Menstrual cycle length and (b) variation in respondents’ cycle length each month. Of 300 women, most showed a 26- to 32-day cycle with 1–4 days variation in cycle length.

Figure 2.

A graph showing the women’s responses to the characteristics of their menstrual cycle bleed (a) heaviness of bleeding (b) length of bleeding and (c) the different symptoms experience when their period is due. Of 300 women, the majority defined their bleeding as medium, lasting for 4–6 days and reported a variety of symptoms when their period was due. For Figure 2(c), the respondents were able to tick all the answers that applied.

Figure 3.

The age at which respondents began using a period tracker app. The graph shows that the majority of respondents started using the app when they were teenagers.

Figure 4.

The reasons why respondents downloaded and started using a period tracker app. They were able to tick all the answers that applied. Of 330 women, the major reason was to understand their symptoms, changes and concerns about their menstrual cycle.

Figure 5.

A graph showing the women’s responses to the question ‘what is the best thing about using a period tracker app?’. They could tick all options that applied. From 330 responses, the majority said ‘to know when my period is arriving’.

Figure 6.

A graph showing the women’s responses to being asked the extent to which period tracker apps accurately predict the start date of their period. The majority of respondents said that their period tracker got it right most of the time.

Figure 7.

A graph showing the respondents’ overall feelings about using a period tracker app. They were able to pick three answers. The majority of feelings chosen were positive.