Menstrual cycle and fertility apps were first launched in 2013 and have since gained widespread popularity. For example, Flo, one of the most popular period tracker apps, boasts over 60 million monthly active users. Nearly one-third of women in the United States use a menstrual tracking app. These apps collect various types of data including menstrual cycles, symptoms, sexual activity, temperature, and vaginal discharge consistency. This information can help estimate ovulation timing, fertility windows, and menstrual cycle regularity, offering users valuable insights and empowerment.
However, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson, a wave of articles emerged, warning about data privacy concerns from these apps. Specifically, this data could potentially be used as prosecuting evidence if someone chooses to have an abortion in a state where it is illegal. Unlike information shared in a healthcare setting, such as between patient and physician, these apps do not fall under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Free apps must generate income somehow, often through ads or by selling data to third-party companies. However, assessing this risk can be challenging. An investigation in the United Kingdom found that, of the apps reviewed, 35% claimed not to share data with third parties but contradicted this in their actual policies.
Nearly one third of American women use a period or fertility tracking app.
Image Source: Oscar Wong
So, are individuals continuing to use these apps? A recent study published in Contraception surveyed women in five states (Arizona, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin) to assess prevalence of period and fertility tracking apps before and after the Dobbs decision. The researchers found that about 37.4% of women in these states used a period tracking app before the Dobbs decision, while 45.2% used these apps afterward. In all states studied, except Wisconsin, period tracking app usage increased. Notably, a significantly lower proportion of respondents reported using the app “to become pregnant.” This suggests that the increase in app usage could correlate with women wanting to avoid pregnancy by gaining better insights into their fertility window and cycles. Additionally, the rise in app usage may reflect a broader trend of increased use of mobile health technologies following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite ambiguous privacy and safety regulations of these apps, usage is ultimately a personal choice that requires weighing the risks against the benefits. These apps can provide useful health information, but it relies on self-reported data and algorithmic predictions, both of which could potentially lead to compromised data. There are some safer methods to track periods and fertility windows such as apps that encrypt data locally on the phone; on the other hand, it could be as simple as a personal paper calendar.
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