We seem to be living in a world where we are promised getting that “next-new-thing” will make life easier. I don’t know about you, but I can get a wee bit sceptical. But, in the world of phone apps, accessibility can equal ease. Don’t get me wrong, there are apps that just build up dust on your phone, but as a female, I am more than impressed with the various PMS apps out there.
I know that Stephanie has written about this very topic in relation to fertility, thanks Steph, but I wanted to put the spotlight on using these apps for the PMS challenged among us, so here are my thoughts and what I like.
If you’re not sure if, when, or for how long your PMS lasts, this will help track the specific symptoms you are experiencing. There are nifty icons that are programmed into the app which appear on the monthly calendar, so that at a glance, you can get an idea of what’s going on. So for example, if you get skin breakouts, change of appetite, or mood changes, you can rate the severity and the days that they occur on the app calendar. Some apps even have icons that you can self tailor. I love this feature, along with the ‘notes’ section (self-confessed PMS app geek)!
The app will count down the days until you’re due for your next period and can predict the expected first day of your period for the next 12 months. This is based on your average cycle length and is handy for holiday planning especially if your PMS is severe.
Women who experience irregular cycles, or suspect that they have started menopause can easily record the length of their cycle and duration of the bleed. This can be useful if you need to discuss the facts with a health care professional.
I find it easy to update daily, as my phone is always with me (for better or worse) and if you like keeping track of what’s going on in your body like I do these apps are definitely you.