Dr Anushka Sawant
Introduction: Menstrual health is a key component of women’s overall well-being, but many experience symptoms such as pain, irregular cycles, and mood changes that interfere with daily activities. With the rise of smartphone technology, menstrual cycle tracking applications (MCTAs) have become widely used for predicting cycles, logging symptoms, and providing health insights. Despite their popularity, limited data exist regarding their effectiveness in managing menstrual symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the awareness, usage patterns, and perceived effectiveness of MCTAs among females aged 18–45 years.
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study will be conducted among 200 female participants from institutions under Alva’s Education Foundation, Karnataka. Inclusion criteria include women aged 18–45 years with access to a smartphone and internet. Data collection will be done via a structured Google Form covering demographics, menstrual history, knowledge of menstrual physiology, app usage behavior, and symptom management feedback. Responses will be analyzed statistically and presented through tables and charts.
Results: Most women showed good basic knowledge of ovulation (95%) and cycle length (88%), but major misconceptions persisted — 46% believed or were unsure that women are most fertile in their 30s, 26.5% thought fertility stays stable until menopause, and 69% assumed ovulation always occurs on Day 14. This underlines the need for targeted fertility education.
Discussion/Conclusion: The study shows strong awareness of menstrual physiology but significant fertility misconceptions that may impact reproductive choices. With Flo leading a fragmented app market, there is scope to create integrated tools combining tracking, education, and accurate predictions. Targeted education and improved digital platforms could greatly enhance reproductive health literacy and informed decision-making.
Keywords: Menstrual health, menstrual cycle tracking apps, reproductive health, digital health, symptom management
Dr Anushka Sawant
Under the Guidance of Dr. Shanu S (MD Hom.)
Assistant professor, Department of Repertory and case taking,
Alva’s homoeopathic medical college, Mijar Moodbidre – 574225.
Email : anushkasawant499@gmail.com
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