JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Menstrual Cycle Tracking Apps (MCTAs) have potential in epidemiological studies of women’s health by facilitating real-time tracking of bleeding days and menstrual-associated signs and symptoms. However, there is limited information on the characteristics of MCTA users compared to those who do not track their cycles which may inform generalizability.

Objective:

We sought to compare characteristics between individuals who use MCTAs (app-users), individuals who do not track their cycles (non-trackers), and those who used other forms of menstrual tracking (other-trackers).

Methods:

The Ovulation and Menstruation (OM) health pilot study tested the feasibility of a digitally enabled study on menstrual health. Recruitment occurred between September 2017-March 2018 via three sources: in-clinic, community events, and internet-based recruitment. Data on menstrual cycle tracking behaviors, demographics, general health, and reproductive health history were collected from those that met eligibility criteria (females aged 18-45 comfortable communicating in English). Menstrual cycle tracking behavior was categorized in the three ways: menstrual cycle tracking via app usage, menstrual cycle tracking via other methods, and non-trackers. In this analysis, demographic factors, health conditions, and menstrual cycle characteristics compared across menstrual tracking method (app-users to non-trackers, app-users to other-trackers, and any trackers to non-trackers) were assessed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests.

Results:

There were 263 participants that met eligibility criteria and completed the digital survey. Most of the cohort was 18-29 years old (73%), predominantly White (65%), had attained 4 years of college education or higher (80%), and had a household income below $50,000 (47%). Among all participants, 103 (39%) were MCTA users (app-users), 97 (37%) did not engage in any tracking (non-trackers), and 63 (24%) used other forms of tracking (other-trackers). Across all groups, no meaningful differences existed in race/ethnicity, household income, and education level. Among app users to non-trackers, the proportion of hormonal contraceptives ever use was lower (72% vs 90%, P=.001), lifetime smoking status was lower (6% vs 17%, P=.04), and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) diagnosis was higher (24% vs 12%, P=.04). . When comparing app-users to other-trackers, the proportion of hormonal contraceptives ever use and lifetime smoking status were both lower (72% vs 89%, P=.01; 6% vs 18%, P=.02). When comparing any trackers to non-trackers proportions, trackers had lower hormonal contraceptives ever use (78% vs 90%, Pp=0.02), higher heartburn/GERD diagnoses (24% vs 12%, Pp=0.03), and higher anxiety/panic disorder diagnoses (39% vs 26%, Pp=0.04). Menstrual cycle characteristics did not differ across all groups.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that app-users, other trackers, and non-trackers are largely comparable in demographic factors and menstrual cycle characteristics. Future studies should be undertaken to determine the reason for tracking and behaviors around tracking to further understand whether individuals who use MCTAs are comparable to those who do not track.