Technology continues to impact every aspect of our lives, from how we’re woken up in the morning, how we prepare meals, and how we monitor our health (and beyond). In recent years, health-tracking apps have continued to grow in popularity, providing users with a range of insights about their daily habits and overall well-being.
Health-tracking apps may be the perfect fit for some individuals, offering insights that can help them to monitor key health insights and adjust their lifestyle, medication or approach as needed. For others, however, the downsides may outweigh the positives. The use of health-tracking apps is a highly personal decision, so it’s worth considering both the benefits and their potential drawbacks before you begin to use one for yourself.
For women experiencing menopause, health-tracking apps may become more integral to managing symptoms and menopause’s changes. Here’s what we’d encourage you to consider if you’re looking for a tool to assist you during the changes menopause brings.
Health-tracking apps are designed to record and analyse various elements of your health. General wellness apps may track aspects like sleep, movement, exercise, and calorie intake, while more specialist apps can also track mental health, fertility, heart health, and more.
These apps work by using data that’s either input by the user manually or synced with a wearable device. The Apple Watch and Fitbit’s range of products are two of the leading suppliers of wearable fitness tech, automating the process of capturing key health metrics through everyday use.
The specific benefits of each health-tracking app are tied to the app or wearable technology itself, but there are some key benefits that are common across most apps within this category.
These include:
While health-tracking apps can offer a wide range of benefits, there are also numerous drawbacks that should be considered when deciding whether or not an app is a good fit for your needs.
One of the major concerns related to health-tracking apps is the issue of privacy and data security. As these apps handle sensitive health information, often having access to personal health metrics we’re not encouraged to share outside of trusted practitioners. Questions have been raised about their abilities to carefully handle and protect this data.
Some users may also experience health-related anxiety as a result of constant monitoring or misinterpretation of data. Known as ‘cyberchondria’, this can be of key concern during menopause, as women are already prone to increased anxiety and mood swings.
The accuracy of the data these apps provide can also vary from app to app. As relying on incorrect information about personal health insights can potentially be harmful, this means users need to consider any data provided by these apps within the context of advice from their trusted GP or medical team.
If you’ve weighed the benefits and drawbacks of a health-tracking app and are comfortable moving ahead, you may find them to be a valuable tool during your menopause experience. As menopause can often be challenging to navigate, these digital tools can help by:
Looking for health-tracking apps that are shaped around the needs of menopausal women? We recommend reviewing the following:
Balance is an app from menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson which offers free tracking of symptoms, personalised expert content, downloadable health reports and community support.
MyFitnessPal provides easy tools for tracking your diet and exercise, with key integrations into a range of wearable fitness technologies. This app can be a great support for those looking to support their slowing metabolism throughout menopause.
You’re probably already familiar with the Apple Watch, which offers all kinds of useful applications for women in the midst of menopause. From sleep tracking to medication reminders, the Apple Watch can provide a range of insights that can help you to monitor and manage your health on a highly personalised level.
Menopause has an impact on many different aspects of our daily well-being – when technology can help us to manage those changes, we’re eager to make use of it.
By finding a health-tracking app that works for you and your needs, you can simplify the process of managing menopause symptoms and changes.
To find more resources and tools for your menopause journey, talk to our team at the Australian Menopause Centre. We’re here to support you through every change that menopause brings to your physical and mental wellbeing.