Women Embrace Digital Tools For Period Tracking, Balancing Privacy Concerns

As technology advances, more women are turning to digital solutions to track their menstrual cycles. Utkarsha Kulkarni, 28, is one such woman who uses a WhatsApp chatbot called Sirona and her digital watch to stay updated. According to Kulkarni, the chatbot tracks periods by processing all data entered by the user. Therefore, if the user fails to update the data, the chatbot might give false results.

Period tracking apps have become increasingly popular among young women. These apps provide notifications about menstrual cycles, aiding in pregnancy planning, holiday scheduling, and understanding body behaviour. However, concerns about data privacy linger. “More than the accuracy, I am concerned about my data privacy. So I only use it for tracking more than anything else,” shares Kulkarni. While these apps offer various features like menstrual health information and community engagement, some users, like Kulkarni, prefer to limit their use due to privacy concerns.

“I don’t engage in any posts or comments and also trust only 20-50% information these apps provide. It is just useful with period date notifications. We need to look at our routine like lifestyle changes including diet, meditation, exercise routines, etc on our own,” Kulkarni adds.

Despite the plethora of features offered by period tracking apps, some women opt out due to privacy concerns. Sakshi Agrawal, 19, and Vaishnavi Awatade, 26, choose not to use these apps.

“I don’t feel there is a need and also I don’t like to give my health-related data to third-party platforms,” expresses Agrawal. Awatade, who manages PCOS, emphasizes the importance of self-discipline in managing her condition.

“While an app would help with all these things, it mainly requires a lot of discipline, which comes from within,” says Awatade. As women navigate their options for period tracking, balancing the benefits of digital tools with concerns about privacy remains a priority.