Tracking menstrual cycles has always been a key part of understanding my body. Whether it’s about predicting my next period, managing symptoms, or understanding fertility, it’s something I’ve relied on for years. With the advancements in technology, several apps have emerged to make this task easier and more accurate. I’ve explored many of them over time, and in this article, I’ll share my experience with some of the must-have apps for tracking menstrual cycles.
Table of Contents
Why Track Your Menstrual Cycle?
Before diving into the apps, I want to touch on why tracking my menstrual cycle has become an essential part of my health routine. By tracking my cycle, I can:
- Predict Periods: Knowing when my period is due helps me plan my month better.
- Understand Fertility: Tracking helps me identify my fertile window, which is useful for conception or contraception.
- Manage Symptoms: Monitoring symptoms like cramps or mood swings gives me insight into how my body behaves throughout the cycle.
- Health Insights: It’s easy to spot irregularities, which can lead to early detection of health issues.
With that in mind, here’s a comparison of some of the best apps I’ve used for tracking menstrual cycles.
1. Clue
Overview: Clue is one of the most popular menstrual cycle tracking apps out there. It stands out for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive tracking features. What I appreciate about Clue is its clean design and data-driven approach.
Key Features:
- Tracks period, symptoms, and cycle length
- Offers predictions for periods, fertile windows, and ovulation
- Customizable to track symptoms like cramps, headaches, and mood changes
- Provides insights based on data trends
- No ads and no in-app purchases
Why I Like It: Clue uses science to offer accurate predictions. The app doesn’t just track your period dates but offers personalized insights based on your data. I find it helpful to track more than just the obvious menstrual flow.
| Feature | Clue |
|---|---|
| Period Predictions | Yes |
| Symptom Tracking | Yes |
| Cycle Insights | Yes |
| Customizable Tracking | Yes |
| Ads | None |
| Price | Free (with premium features) |
2. Flo
Overview: Flo is another popular app that I’ve used for tracking my menstrual cycle. It’s designed with a clean and intuitive interface, and it offers additional features beyond period tracking, such as pregnancy and ovulation tracking.
Key Features:
- Period tracking and cycle predictions
- Ovulation and fertility window prediction
- Symptom tracker for moods, cramps, and sleep patterns
- Integrates with Apple Health for better tracking
- Provides expert advice and articles on health and wellness
Why I Like It: Flo has a great user interface and provides a lot of educational content. I’ve found it useful to have access to health articles that explain everything from hormonal changes to wellness tips.
| Feature | Flo |
|---|---|
| Period Predictions | Yes |
| Symptom Tracking | Yes |
| Ovulation Tracking | Yes |
| Integration with Apple Health | Yes |
| Health Articles | Yes |
| Price | Free (with premium features) |
3. Ovia
Overview: Ovia is a family planning app that I initially tried for tracking fertility. It’s great for anyone looking to track not only their menstrual cycle but also their fertility and health data in a holistic way.
Key Features:
- Period and ovulation tracking
- Fertility window predictions
- Health symptom tracking (weight, mood, etc.)
- Customizable reminder system for important health events
- In-depth charts and data analysis
Why I Like It: Ovia offers detailed reports that let me see trends over time. It also includes support for people trying to conceive, which is a bonus. I like the range of health data I can track, not just periods.
| Feature | Ovia |
|---|---|
| Period Predictions | Yes |
| Ovulation Tracking | Yes |
| Fertility Window Predictions | Yes |
| Symptom Tracking | Yes |
| Customizable Reminders | Yes |
| Price | Free (with premium features) |
4. Glow
Overview: Glow is an app that I’ve turned to when I needed something specifically designed for fertility and health. It’s very focused on helping women track cycles for conception, but it’s also excellent for regular cycle tracking.
Key Features:
- Period tracking and predictions
- Ovulation and fertility window tracking
- Pregnancy and miscarriage tracking
- Community support and forums
- Health insights based on tracked data
Why I Like It: Glow has a vibrant community where I can share experiences, ask questions, and get advice. The app also provides a lot of educational content around fertility and reproductive health.
| Feature | Glow |
|---|---|
| Period Predictions | Yes |
| Ovulation Tracking | Yes |
| Fertility Window Predictions | Yes |
| Community Support | Yes |
| Pregnancy Tracking | Yes |
| Price | Free (with premium features) |
5. Period Tracker
Overview: Period Tracker is one of the simpler apps I’ve used. It’s perfect if you want to keep it basic and just track your periods without all the bells and whistles.
Key Features:
- Period and cycle tracking
- Customizable symptom tracker (cramps, mood, etc.)
- Reminders for period start
- Simple calendar interface
- Basic prediction features
Why I Like It: Sometimes, I prefer an app that doesn’t overwhelm me with too many features. Period Tracker is basic, which makes it easy to use daily without any distractions.
| Feature | Period Tracker |
|---|---|
| Period Predictions | Yes |
| Symptom Tracking | Yes |
| Simple Interface | Yes |
| Customizable Reminders | Yes |
| Price | Free (with premium features) |
6. Eve by Glow
Overview: Eve by Glow is a menstrual cycle tracking app aimed at a younger audience, particularly those who might not need complex fertility tracking. It’s more about tracking period health, symptoms, and general wellness.
Key Features:
- Period and cycle tracking
- Health and mood symptom tracking
- Daily health insights
- Sex tracker to monitor changes in sexual health
- Community and expert advice
Why I Like It: Eve’s approach is fun and light-hearted, which makes it easy to integrate into daily life. It’s also educational, providing insights into hormonal changes, sexual health, and more.
| Feature | Eve by Glow |
|---|---|
| Period Predictions | Yes |
| Symptom Tracking | Yes |
| Sex Tracker | Yes |
| Community Support | Yes |
| Price | Free (with premium features) |
7. My Calendar
Overview: My Calendar is a simple, no-frills menstrual cycle tracking app. It’s one I turn to when I want something easy to use and focused purely on periods.
Key Features:
- Period tracking and cycle predictions
- Symptom tracker
- Pregnancy mode for when you miss a period
- Customizable alerts
- Simple calendar interface
Why I Like It: The simplicity of My Calendar is its strength. It doesn’t try to do too much, but it does a great job of tracking periods and symptoms with a straightforward interface.
| Feature | My Calendar |
|---|---|
| Period Predictions | Yes |
| Symptom Tracking | Yes |
| Pregnancy Mode | Yes |
| Simple Interface | Yes |
| Price | Free (with premium features) |
Conclusion
In my experience, each of these apps offers unique strengths depending on what exactly you need. If you want in-depth fertility tracking, Ovia or Glow might be right for you. For a more data-driven approach, Clue offers strong predictive insights. If you’re looking for something simple and intuitive, Period Tracker and My Calendar do the job without extra features.
Tracking your menstrual cycle is more than just counting days; it’s a way to stay in tune with your body and manage your health. With these apps, I’ve been able to stay informed, plan better, and have a deeper understanding of my health. Whether you’re using it to predict your period or track your fertility, these apps make it easier to manage your cycle in today’s busy world.
