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Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps

Sarika Mohan Orcid Logo, Judy Jenkins

Oxford Open Digital Health, Volume: 3

Swansea University Authors: Sarika Mohan Orcid Logo, Judy Jenkins

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DOI (Published version): 10.1093/oodh/oqaf011

Abstract

Menstrual cycle tracking apps are mobile applications that help female users track their menstrual cycle and gain future period predictions. Although these apps have advantages, they have been criticised for their lack of accuracy in prediction and poor adherence to privacy laws. This qualitative st...

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Published in: Oxford Open Digital Health
ISSN: 2754-4591
Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2025
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69522
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last_indexed 2025-06-13T13:32:19Z
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spelling 2025-06-12T15:06:39.3740188 v2 69522 2025-05-16 Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps 46de8969c7a2963d5ff9bb1ef1ede2c6 0009-0005-5938-3020 Sarika Mohan Sarika Mohan true false d547919f7d389a3263887233a8d20989 Judy Jenkins Judy Jenkins true false 2025-05-16 MEDS Menstrual cycle tracking apps are mobile applications that help female users track their menstrual cycle and gain future period predictions. Although these apps have advantages, they have been criticised for their lack of accuracy in prediction and poor adherence to privacy laws. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of users of period tracking apps with focus on data security and privacy. 25 female users between 19 to 38 years of age who have experience with menstrual app usage were interviewed via online video conferencing tools using semi-structured interview technique. Data analysis was done using inductive thematic analysis and eight themes were identified. The participants stated that they prefer apps that provide good period predictions and have better user interface. They also expressed a desire to have ownership over their data, its access and that the apps should provide clearer privacy statements. The results of this study are vital for app developers to consider when designing or updating their apps to ensure it is suited for a diverse group of end users. They must also implement stricter data protection measures so users can trust the apps with their information. Further research needs to be conducted to gain insights from different cohorts of users. Journal Article Oxford Open Digital Health 3 Oxford University Press (OUP) 2754-4591 3 6 2025 2025-06-03 10.1093/oodh/oqaf011 COLLEGE NANME Medical School COLLEGE CODE MEDS Swansea University SU Library paid the OA fee (TA Institutional Deal) Swansea University 2025-06-12T15:06:39.3740188 2025-05-16T09:32:07.8959004 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Swansea University Medical School - Health Data Science Sarika Mohan 0009-0005-5938-3020 1 Judy Jenkins 2 69522__34469__c0dcaf40254746188f388960bc7868a5.pdf 69522.VoR.pdf 2025-06-12T15:02:49.0831380 Output 764560 application/pdf Version of Record true ©The Author(s) 2025. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps
spellingShingle Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps
Sarika Mohan
Judy Jenkins
title_short Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps
title_full Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps
title_fullStr Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps
title_full_unstemmed Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps
title_sort Flowing data: women’s views and experiences on privacy and data security when using menstrual cycle tracking apps
author_id_str_mv 46de8969c7a2963d5ff9bb1ef1ede2c6
d547919f7d389a3263887233a8d20989
author_id_fullname_str_mv 46de8969c7a2963d5ff9bb1ef1ede2c6_***_Sarika Mohan
d547919f7d389a3263887233a8d20989_***_Judy Jenkins
author Sarika Mohan
Judy Jenkins
author2 Sarika Mohan
Judy Jenkins
format Journal article
container_title Oxford Open Digital Health
container_volume 3
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
issn 2754-4591
doi_str_mv 10.1093/oodh/oqaf011
publisher Oxford University Press (OUP)
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str Swansea University Medical School - Health Data Science{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Swansea University Medical School - Health Data Science
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description Menstrual cycle tracking apps are mobile applications that help female users track their menstrual cycle and gain future period predictions. Although these apps have advantages, they have been criticised for their lack of accuracy in prediction and poor adherence to privacy laws. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of users of period tracking apps with focus on data security and privacy. 25 female users between 19 to 38 years of age who have experience with menstrual app usage were interviewed via online video conferencing tools using semi-structured interview technique. Data analysis was done using inductive thematic analysis and eight themes were identified. The participants stated that they prefer apps that provide good period predictions and have better user interface. They also expressed a desire to have ownership over their data, its access and that the apps should provide clearer privacy statements. The results of this study are vital for app developers to consider when designing or updating their apps to ensure it is suited for a diverse group of end users. They must also implement stricter data protection measures so users can trust the apps with their information. Further research needs to be conducted to gain insights from different cohorts of users.
published_date 2025-06-03T05:29:37Z
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