The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is rising. One Lancet Health study found that PCOS diagnoses have grown by 65% over the past ten years. Another study found that PCOS incidences are becoming more common among younger women. Not only that, but modern diagnoses also seem to be associated with a more severe phenotype than a decade prior. Given that growing numbers of women need more guidance than ever, these have spawned the creation of digital interventions, such as apps focused on PCOS management. These apps may also help women understand what PCOS is and the changes their bodies are going through.
What is PCOS?
First things first, let’s unpack what this health concern is. PCOS is a hormonal condition that manifests during a woman’s reproductive years. This can manifest in irregular periods, infertility, acne, excessive hair growth, thinning hair, and more. Crucially, between 40 to 80% of women with PCOS are prone to being overweight or obese.
Research shows that both conditions exacerbate one another, as the insulin resistance that goes along with PCOS can lead to becoming overweight or obese. As a result, these patients are at a higher risk of developing prediabetes, making it crucial for some to secure versatile weight loss medication for PCOS. For example, metformin works to improve insulin sensitivity, but it can also reduce fatty tissue. On the other hand, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medications are originally a class of medications used to treat diabetes but are now available for weight loss. Such medications help to alleviate specific health risks associated with carrying excess weight due to PCOS. Similarly, other women are prescribed medications like hormonal injections and birth control to address the other ways that PCOS manifests.
Along with these medications, doctors will typically recommend lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to support the above medications. This is where apps come in, as they can help individuals with PCOS stay on top of nutrition, physical activity, and medications. Here are a few good examples:
Cysterhood
Some PCOS may struggle with exercise. A Women’s Health study found that women with PCOS perceive more barriers than benefits to working out. Exercising can also be more physically difficult for these women, as it’s believed that overly intense cardio can trigger the release of the stress hormone cortisol, resulting in worse symptoms. In response, Tallene Hacatoryan, a registered dietitian, and her personal trainer husband, Sirak, developed Cysterhood. This app has a built-in player with original, PCOS-friendly workout content, plus monthly live workout sessions with Sirak. To complement the workout routine, Tallene provides customized meal plans and their accompanying grocery list every week, enhancing convenience for the community of “Cysters.” One Obesity Reviews study found that fear of enacted stigma was the top reason obese individuals avoid working out in group settings; thus, app-based workouts that can be done at home may prove beneficial.
Ovia
The infertility incidence for women with PCOS is 70% to 80%, making period tracking vital for women who want to build a family. To address this need, Ovia Health provides a suite of fertility-related services like menstrual tracking, on-demand coaching, and even menopause support. With the Ovia app, one can access a personalized care plan for PCOS-related infertility and get access to fertility experts who can provide needed guidance. Many are overwhelmed enough dealing with PCOS that fertility issues become an added burden, not to mention there are pre-existing inequities in the healthcare system. Such apps somewhat level the playing field, providing access to information that can be used while waiting for in-person fertility support.
PCOS Tracker
Tracking one’s cycle and symptoms gives women with PCOS an easy view of their experience. This could enable them to better advocate for themselves when speaking with a healthcare provider. This app helps track both PCOS and PMS symptoms, along with periods, on one calendar. Women can track symptoms like hair loss, acne, period pain, weight gain, and more. By consistently tracking symptoms, women can identify patterns or triggers that may worsen their symptoms. For instance, those with PCOS are more prone to inflammation, which may lead to an increased risk of UTIs. By identifying when this happens, women can give their doctors more specific information to ensure a targeted treatment plan, such as trimethoprim medication for PCOS-induced UTIs.
