The problems and promises of period-tracking apps

Description

Back in 2014, Apple released its health-tracking app, HealthKit, with a seemingly obvious omission – a way for women to track their periods. It felt like, yet again, women were being shut out of a developing technology, with no females in the room when the idea of digital health was discussed.

Apple quickly rectified the situation and, a few years on, there’s an increasing number of apps to choose from that are angled towards the rhythms of women’s bodies. They claim to be able to let women track their period; keep watch over fertility; and even avoid contraception altogether, but whether they are any good – or, indeed, necessary – is cause for debate.

Subject

Digital Sociology; Medical Sociology