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It’s only been 50 years since the birth control pill became available in the United States. Yet today, women who get a period can choose from more than 12 types of birth control and digitally track their menstrual cycle. That’s a far cry from the not-so-distant past when women used pens, paper and guesswork to track their periods and avoid getting pregnant.

 

With the advent of hundreds (and counting) of period apps, women now have access to an endless amount of data and knowledge to help them make more informed decisions about their bodies. An added benefit to the period tracking app boom? There are so many apps to choose from we’re certain the right one exists for you, whether you’re in the market for something girly or gender-neutral.

Not to mention, period tracking apps allow women to do so much more than track their period. The apps empower women by predicting windows of fertility, alerting them about upcoming premenstrual syndrome (PMS); reminding them to take their birth control pill or schedule their annual exam; but most importantly, period tracking apps help women spot irregularities in their cycles and general health.

And the apps only get smarter as the user inputs more data. Most apps allow the user to make note of other period-related symptoms, ranging from emotions and cramps to food cravings and sexual activities.

With of all this information, women who feel the familiar twinge of ovulation can confirm that it is indeed what they are experiencing, or women who suspect their period is late can confirm that according to the length of their average cycle.

In addition to all of the added health benefits of period tracking with an app, women can kiss guesswork goodbye, like knowing when the first day of their last period was or accidentally ruining their favorite pair of underwear. Most importantly, when they suspect something is off, they have a vast amount of information available at their fingertips about their reproductive health and now, medical professionals will too.

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