Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can feel like a full-time job with no weekends off.
From irregular periods and weight gain to mood swings and fertility challenges, the symptoms can be overwhelming. Luckily, in 2024, there’s a silver lining — technology.
With the rise of clever apps that track every symptom and online communities that offer both support and a good laugh, navigating PCOS has become easier and more manageable.
The growing impact of PCOS
PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders, affecting an estimated 8-13% of women of reproductive age globally.
In South Africa, a study found that around 18% of women in their reproductive years are impacted by PCOS, a higher prevalence than the global average. The condition can have far-reaching implications, including increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Living with PCOS in 2024 means you don’t have to navigate its complexities alone. Technology has stepped up to fill gaps in health care, offering tools that not only track your symptoms but also help you better understand and manage them.
Symptom tracking apps
Apps like Flo, Clue, and Ovia are becoming go-to tools for women with PCOS. These apps allow users to log symptoms daily, track menstrual cycles, and even monitor weight and glucose levels.
By leveraging AI, these apps can predict trends and offer personalised advice, helping women to recognise patterns in their symptoms.
For example, Clue's advanced analytics feature can highlight how stress or diet affects your symptoms, while Ovia’s fertility tracker offers tips on improving reproductive health.
These insights can be empowering, giving women the tools to take control of their health rather than feeling overwhelmed by it.
Beyond symptom tracking, the internet offers a treasure trove of online communities. These platforms, such as Reddit’s PCOS community or the closed Facebook groups dedicated to PCOS, provide spaces where women can share their experiences, ask questions, and offer advice.
The sense of camaraderie found in these groups can be invaluable, especially when dealing with a condition as isolating as PCOS.
What’s more, these communities often become sources of emotional support, offering not just practical advice but also humour and solidarity. For many, the shared experience can make the day-to-day management of PCOS a little less daunting.
Recent studies have shown that women who actively engage with health apps and online communities report a greater sense of control over their PCOS.
In a survey conducted by Flo, 72% of users with PCOS reported that the app helped them understand their condition better, while 68% said it helped them have more informed discussions with their healthcare providers.
Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that women using online communities for PCOS support experienced lower levels of anxiety and felt more confident in managing their symptoms.
Why Leveraging Technology might be the solution women need
The benefits of using technology to manage PCOS are clear. Not only do these tools offer convenience, but they also provide a personalised approach to managing the condition.
With the ability to track symptoms, access expert advice, and find support at the touch of a button, technology can make the overwhelming task of managing PCOS feel more manageable.
Moreover, the data collected by these apps can be invaluable during medical consultations.
Instead of trying to remember symptoms or guess trends, women can present their doctors with detailed reports, leading to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment plans.
Here’s how you can harness its power to build a healthier lifestyle.
Track it like a pro
A recent study by ScienceDirect.com found that most women using these apps were “very happy” with how much more they understood their menstrual cycles and overall health.
Many discovered that the apps helped them manage symptoms like irregular periods, heavy bleeding, and even cravings. What’s more, tracking isn’t just about dates.
Lamelle Research Laboratories encouraged women to combine symptom tracking with their ovarian health supplement, Ovaria.
The supplement, which contained 4000mg of myo-inositol as its main ingredient, was clinically proven to be effective in treating PCOS symptoms.
According to Lamelle Research Laboratories, Ovaria’s benefits were backed by studies showing that it could increase ovulation rates and improve fertility within just 16 weeks.
It also helped regulate menstrual cycles, making it easier for women to identify what triggered flare-ups or improved their overall well-being.