Period-tracking apps are not so reliable, according to study
The last few years meant a lot of controversy regarding period-tracking apps, as the idea of being able to prevent getting pregnant without contraception sounded too good to be true.
The apps supposedly tell you when it’s safe to have sex without the risk of becoming pregnant or when you should have sex if you’re trying to conceive, according to the period date you provide, as the Independent reports.
New research suggests that these apps aren’t as reliable as previously thought. A study from the University of Washington says that menstrual cycle tracking apps often disappoint their users with their lack of accuracy and the assumptions they make on the sexual identity or partners. Furthermore, women aren’t so happy over the fact that apps put too much emphasis on pink and flowery designs in apps rather than improve function.
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The researchers gathered their conclusions after surveying 687 people and observing data from 2,000 reviews of nine of the most popular period-tracking apps, such as Clue, Eve, Glow and Period Tracker. They found that none of the apps was without fault regarding accuracy.
Lead author Daniel Epstein, a doctoral student at the UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering said: “People didn’t feel like the apps were very good at supporting their particular needs or preferences.
“People felt they were better than tracking their periods on paper, but still weren’t great in a lot of basic ways.
“The apps are most accurate if your cycles are really really regular, but the people who most need an app are the people whose cycles aren’t regular.”
Other complaints regarding the apps included sexist designs which are often pink and the fact that they exclude transgender users and automatically assume the user’s partner is a man.
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