Petra @newmiboDo you know when your next period is coming? Do you know when you’re likely to feel energetic and when you’re going to feel sensitive? Are you aware of your appetite changes throughout the month? Is your period regular? Are you menopausal and do you track your symptoms?
This overview will hopefully encourage you to start tracking and help you choose the best app for your needs. I included 4 favourite period and fertility tracking apps and 1 for tracking menopausal symptoms.
WHY YOU SHOULD BE TRACKING
Tracking your cycle isn’t just about knowing when to expect bleeding, it is also about understanding your behaviour, your moods, motivation, cravings, stress levels. Instead of viewing your cycle as a weakness that might hold you back, turn it into your strength by being able to predict when you’re at your most motivated, when is the best time to challenge yourself and also knowing when not to get into confrontations or when to absolutely avoid stressful situations.
Knowing how your machinery works can help you effectively plan your eating, fasting, training, self care, basically your lifestyle, instead of guessing or misinterpreting your needs and wants.
CLUE Period & Cycle Tracker
a simple, clearly organised tracking app with 30+ tracking categories.
You can choose what signals you want to track using simple graphics depicting bleeding, mood, cravings, energy, sleep, temperature.
Despite the vast amount of categories, I find the options within each category limited as there only seem to be 4 to choose from, for example the exercise category only features 4 exercise types (running, yoga, biking, swimming),
The app collects your information and predicts your 3 future cycles so that you know when to expect your period. The date of your ovulation is always highlighted. The more you log the more accurate the predictions.
You can set reminders for when your period starts, when it’s late, reminder for PMS, ovulation, birth control.
You can invite someone else to view your cycle. I assume this would be helpful to share with your partner.
It has a library of health related articles but most of them are locked and can only be accessed if you upgrade to Clue Plus paid service.
Upgraded version CLUE PLUS costs £7.99 per 1 month or £23.99 per year with a 7 day free trial. (prices are correct as of October 2021 and may change)
Available on iOS and Android
FLO PERIOD & OVULATION TRACKER
best for communicating, asking and answering questions
You can track your weight, sleep, and even your water intake. In regards to your cycle, your can track mood, symptoms, bleeding plus you have the option to write your own notes. You have 14 options to describe your mood, unlike the CLUE app (above) which only features 4 options.
You can also take part in conversations with other app users, leave comments, likes or follow your favourite contributors.
Your cycle is predicted for the following 12 months. The more information and detail you log in the more accurate the predictions will be.
There is an option of a pdf report ready to take to your doctor.
The ‘Insights’ tab features educational articles and videos but most of these are locked and you will have to upgrade to a paid plan in order to access these.
Subscription plan costs £5.99 per 1 month or £29.49 per 1 year with a free trial offer. (prices may vary and change)
Available on iOS and Android
PERIOD TRACKER PERIOD CALENDAR
very colourful and animated app with changeable themes
If you like writing your thoughts you will enjoy the DIARY feature
You can track and rate up to 58 symptoms ( such as, flow, backache, anxiety) and 67 moods.
You can set reminders, particularly helpful if you’re taking the pill, and view your cycle history.
If you like colours, animations and enjoy writing notes then you are going to love this app.
According to the reviews, it would appear that this app is the most popular one with younger/teenage girls.
In order to access the locked features you must upgrade to a paid version which costs £39.99 per year with a 7 day free trial. (prices vary and may change)
Available on iOS and Android
GLOW Period Fertility Tracker
best for fertility, charts and in depth analysis
Glow allows you to track 40 different health signals, understand your fertility, connect with other women
Great app if you’re trying to get pregnant or to avoid pregnancy or undergoing fertility treatments
You can log in your mood, bleeding, energy, appetite, weight.
The calendar graphic highlights your fertile days and ovulation, it will estimate your cycle for 3-4 upcoming months so that you can plan events around your cycle.
It offers analysis, predictions, pattern detection, health charts, pdf reports, in depth analysis, although some features are locked and only available if you upgrade it a premium version.
This app features articles, community discussion posts ranging from skincare, mental health, relationships, pms hacks and even politics and support groups. You can vote and comment on each post, start a conversation thread and find a buddy.
If you’re looking for interactions and a strong community this is the app for you.
Glow Premium costs £54.99 per year or £29.49 for a 3 month subscription if you use the initial limited 50% discount. (prices vary and may change)
Available on iOS and Android
CARIA:Menopause & Midlife
best for tracking perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms
This app has an elegant, sophisticated design.
It includes discussions where you can comment, ask questions, suggest topics, subscribe to your favourite contributors.
The app has an abundant library of resources and articles.
It also features a SHOP where you can make various purchases.
There is a simple, straightforward system to log and rate your symptoms, triggers, activity.
You are also welcome to add your own notes.
For ease of use you can sync it with Siri and log with your voice instead of typing.
It offers a soundscape feature with sounds specifically designed to help you sleep, focus, even a selection of cooling sounds when hot flashes hit you
Did I mention the vast array of recipes specifically created with menopausal symptoms in mind?
Caria Premium costs $9.99/month or $49.99/year (prices vary and may change)
Available on iOS
Let us know if you’re tracking and which app do you find helpful. xox
