AI-Powered Menstrual Health: Breaking Stigmas and Advancing Care
Written By Amruta Epari
Introduction
Menstrual health, a topic that has long carried societal stigmas, taboos and misinformation, is experiencing a transformative evolution through the integration of artificial intelligence. In the contemporary healthcare landscape, AI-driven menstrual tracking apps offer personalized insights and predictive capabilities, marking a substantial departure from conventional tracking methods. and previous understandings of the menstrual cycle (Davenport, 2022). With the support of research looking into the effectiveness of these applications, these innovations not only empower individuals by providing accurate and valuable information but also challenge deeply ingrained stigmas that have perpetuated misinformation about menstruation for centuries (Olson et al., 2022).
The convergence of AI and menstrual health represents an exciting frontier. These applications serve as valuable tools for women, providing the means to monitor and gain insights into their bodies. This addresses the fundamental lack of understanding about the menstrual cycle that has contributed to its negative perception (Olson et al., 2022). The potential of AI in menstrual health extends beyond personal well-being; it can revolutionize healthcare decisions with data-driven accuracy, contributing to women's reproductive health and overall quality of life. Furthermore, it holds the promise of countering societal biases and promoting gender equity, a critical aspect of ensuring equal healthcare access and social progress (McHugh, 2020).
This article explores the potential of AI-powered menstrual health tracking applications, their role in dismantling the barriers of menstrual stigma, and the ethical considerations that must accompany their use. A comprehensive analysis of the benefits and challenges associated with these applications is provided, to make a significant contribution to the discussion surrounding menstrual health and artificial intelligence.
AI-Powered Menstrual Health Tracking Apps
Menstrual tracking apps, traditionally used to monitor menstrual cycles, have seen a significant transformation with the integration of artificial intelligence. These AI-powered apps, such as Flo Period Tracker, are revolutionizing menstrual health tracking by offering sophisticated insights that were previously inaccessible (Zhaunova et al., 2023).
The functioning of AI-driven menstrual tracking apps is predicated on complex algorithms and machine learning models that analyze historical menstrual cycle data and physiological biomarkers (Jennings et al., 2019). These apps can synthesize a user's menstrual cycle history and physiological signs, such as basal body temperature, cervical mucus, vaginal sensation, and cervical position. Drawing on this information, AI algorithms can predict and monitor fertile days with impressive accuracy. These apps are a technological advancement over traditional fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs), which often require meticulous manual record-keeping.
AI-powered menstrual tracking apps offer users various benefits beyond mere data collection (Davenport, 2022). Users can track menstrual flow, discharge, mood, and even sex drive. These personalized insights allow individuals to better understand their bodies and menstrual cycles. Moreover, these applications help identify changes in the menstrual cycle that may indicate potential health issues. Research conducted by Zhaunova et al. found that users of the Flo Period Tracker reported improvements in their menstrual cycle and pregnancy knowledge. In fact, 88.98% of the participants reported improvements in their knowledge of the menstrual cycle.
The advantages of these apps are not confined to knowledge enhancement; they also extend to practical applications. In a study conducted by Jennings et al., the Dot fertility app, an AI-powered FABM, was found to have low typical-use failure rates, indicating that users effectively utilized the app for pregnancy prevention (Jennings et al., 2019). This study emphasizes that AI-powered menstrual health apps are effective not only in theory, but also in real-world applications.
However, while conventional menstrual tracking apps have been in use for some considerable time they do not exist without limitations. These constraints often revolve around the accuracy of predictions made by these apps. Research conducted by Worsfold et al. reveals that most conventional apps frequently provide conflicting information on period dates and cycle length predictions (Worsfold et al., 2021). Even for women with regular 28-day cycles, these apps often fail to provide correct cycle predictions. Such inaccuracies can have substantial consequences for women's health, potentially leading to missed opportunities for early detection of reproductive health issues.
AI-powered apps address these limitations by leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning to offer more precise insights and predictions (Davenport, 2022). These apps consider variations in individual cycles, making them far more adaptable and accurate in their predictions. They can also provide users with real-time data that allows for the identification of changes in their menstrual cycles and reproductive health.
Addressing Societal Stigmas
For generations, menstrual health has been veiled in taboos and societal stigmas, resulting in a culture of silence and shame. These profoundly ingrained misconceptions and prejudices surrounding menstruation can have serious consequences for the well-being of individuals who experience them. However, integrating artificial intelligence into menstrual tracking apps is beginning to challenge these long-standing taboos by providing a platform for accurate information, breaking the silence surrounding open discussions about menstruation, and dispelling myths related to menstrual health (Jeyaraman et al., 2023).
The concept of menstrual stigma refers to the negative perceptions of menstruation and individuals who menstruate, characterizing the menstruating body as abnormal or abject (Olson et al., 2022). Such stigma has far-reaching consequences, affecting multiple aspects of menstruators' lives, including their health, education, economic opportunities, and participation in public and social spheres. At its core, stigma arises from a lack of reliable, accessible information and the persistence of misinformation about menstruation.
Misinformation is a primary driver of menstrual stigma as it perpetuates inaccurate beliefs and fosters a lack of understanding about menstruation. This misinformation often stems from cultural myths, outdated societal norms, and a lack of comprehensive education on the topic (Olson et al., 2022). AI-powered menstrual tracking apps are poised to address this issue by providing accurate information to users. These apps offer a wealth of knowledge on menstrual cycles, symptoms, and related health topics, helping to correct misconceptions and educate users about their bodies. A study conducted found that most users of the Flo Period Tracker reported improvements in menstrual cycle and pregnancy knowledge (Zhaunova et al.). The use of AI technology in these apps presents a promising solution to the age-old problem of misinformation.
AI-powered menstrual tracking apps can also play a pivotal role in advancing menstrual literacy by offering users a reliable source of information (Worsfold et al., 2021). These apps can help individuals understand the biological processes of menstruation, the menstrual cycle, and the meanings ascribed to menstruation in different sociocultural contexts. By providing accurate information, these apps contribute to breaking the silence and addressing misconceptions that have persisted for generations. Moreover, fostering menstrual literacy through education represents a promising future route for dismantling generational stigma, as informed individuals are better equipped to challenge and reshape societal perspectives surrounding menstruation.
Efforts to challenge menstrual stigma extend beyond the realm of technology. Policy initiatives and real-world campaigns have aimed to break the menstrual silence and advance menstrual literacy (Olson et al., 2022). This review by Olson also highlights the importance of educating adolescents about menstrual health conditions to curb diagnostic and treatment delays. Providing access to accurate information is a fundamental step in combating the stigma by normalizing conversations about menstruation. Initiatives that promote menstrual literacy are essential not only to provide accurate information but also to create awareness about the far-reaching impacts of menstrual stigma.
Ethical Considerations
Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into menstrual tracking apps brings forth a wave of innovation, empowering users with personalized insights into their menstrual health. However, as with any technological advancement in healthcare, significant ethical considerations demand careful attention.
One of the primary ethical concerns is data privacy and security, a topic of particular relevance in an era marked by growing concerns over personal information protection. Menstrual tracking apps collect sensitive data about users' reproductive health, which, if mishandled, can lead to unintended consequences. In a post-Roe America, where the right to abortion is no longer constitutionally protected, the fear of personal health information being used to identify individuals seeking abortions in states where abortion is banned raises significant privacy issues (Symul et al., 2019). Some apps explicitly state that they may disclose users' data at the request of law enforcement or government agencies, underscoring the need for privacy safeguards.
In this context, safeguarding user data assumes paramount importance as it not only protects individual privacy but also guards against potential misuse that could have profound societal implications. The widespread occurrence of data leaks, such as the notorious Cambridge Analytica incident, where personal data from millions of Facebook users was harvested without their consent for political purposes, serves as a stark reminder of the real and far-reaching consequences of inadequate data protection (Graham-Harrison & Cadwalladr, 2021). This underscores the imperative for stringent measures to ensure that sensitive information, especially regarding reproductive health, is shielded from unauthorized access and potential misuse, reinforcing the critical role of ethical practices in the development and operation of these apps.
The use of personal health data from period-tracking apps as evidence in criminal cases related to abortion has not been definitively addressed. The potential use of this data to incriminate individuals poses significant ethical concerns. Furthermore, determining responsibility for AI-driven outcomes raises questions about human accountability and AI's moral agency (Jeyaraman et al., 2023). Ensuring users have control over their personal data is crucial for ethical data management.
Informed consent and inclusivity are essential ethical principles that must be upheld in the development and use of AI-powered menstrual health tools. Users should have the autonomy to decide how their data is used and shared, emphasizing the importance of informed consent. Equitable access to these tools, irrespective of users' demographics or socioeconomic status, is a critical ethical consideration.
While AI-powered menstrual health tracking apps hold immense potential to empower users and advance menstrual health, they come with ethical considerations that demand vigilance. Protecting user data, ensuring transparency and trust, addressing algorithmic bias, and upholding principles of informed consent and inclusivity are all integral to these innovative tools' ethical development and use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AI-powered menstrual health tracking apps have the potential to revolutionize personal health management and challenge societal stigmas surrounding menstruation. They represent a significant step towards promoting gender equity and well-being. However, these advancements come with a responsibility to address ethical concerns related to data privacy and algorithmic biases. Collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and technology experts is vital to developing comprehensive guidelines and regulatory frameworks that prioritize privacy, transparency, and fairness while upholding ethical principles. Integrating AI into menstrual tracking apps not only advances healthcare for half of the world's population but also contributes to the fight against deeply ingrained societal biases. The significance of this topic extends beyond personal health, aligning with the broader goals of gender equity and well-being, making it a subject of paramount importance in healthcare.
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