Health New Media Res > Volume 2(2); 2018 > Article
Health & New Media Research 2018;2(2):101-119.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22720/HNMR.2017.2.2.101    Published online July 31, 2018.
“You can use the app instead of guessing”: Women’s use of period-tracking mobile applications for menstrual management
Valerie Rubinsky1, Angela Cooke-Jackson2, Jacqueline N. Gunning3, Christina Bartson4
1School of Communication Studies, Ohio University
2Department of Communication Studies, California State University
3Department of Communication Studies, Emerson College
4Department of Communication Studies, Emerson College
Correspondence:  Valerie Rubinsky,
Email: vr225514@ohio.edu
Abstract
This study investigated how 191 women use period-tracking mobile applications. Findings revealed that approximately half of our respondents use some form of period-tracking mobile application. Women who use period-tracking mobile applications report using them to track and predict their menstrual cycle, keep track of menstrual symptoms, and use the information for easier and more accurate communication with their healthcare provider. In addition, women report using period-tracking mobile applications to track fertility as a means of pregnancy prevention. Women who did not use period-tracking mobile applications frequently reported that they did not feel a need to use them because their hormonal birth control predicted and regulated their period for them, and thus there was no need for a mobile application to do it. Lastly, several participants identified not using period-tracking mobile applications because they did not trust them. Reinforcing and extending previous literature, the present study highlights a tension concerning self-monitoring and self-care (Lupton, 2014), usefulness (Moglia et al., 2016), and opportunity for autonomy.
Key Words: Mobile Application, Period-Tracking, Menstruation, Women’s Health, Menstrual Management
TOOLS
METRICS Graph View
  • 1 Crossref
  •  0 Scopus
  • 734 View
  • 2 Download
Related articles


Editorial Office
1 Hallymdaehak-gil, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
Tel: +82-33-248-3255    E-mail: editor@hnmr.org                

Copyright © 2025 by Health & New Media Research Institute.

Developed in M2PI