Menstruation, although a common experience, is not universal. One woman’s menstrual experience is not like another's. In a recent physiology lecture, we learned that some women may experience increased levels of prostaglandins. Something entirely innate to that individual now means stronger or more frequent contractions.
Cycle tracking and the rise of technology that accompanies it, I believe, is not only educational but also frankly necessary. I often wonder what the driving factors are in a woman’s choice of a method of contraception.
Why are the current birth control options latched onto? How many women are on hormonal birth control but would rather not be? How many women do not have access to learn more about processes occurring in their own bodies? Wearable devices have opened up the possibility of continuously tracking our own body’s physiological changes without the need for a product insertion. Wearable devices such as an OURA ring non-invasively detect skin temperature variations, which aid in detecting which point of the menstrual cycle a woman is on. A cycle tracking app can serve as a health literacy tool, enhancing awareness of fertility windows, future cycles, and potential reported emotions or feelings at various times. In a journal assessing the significance of these apps, they stated that these apps can “contribute to a more participatory and personalised healthcare system”. (Kelly & Habib, 2023) Enabling women to improve menstrual literacy and create a sense of agency. On the flip side, there are ethical concerns of self-surveillance and the profiting of a person's health data to third parties. Arguments can be made for either side.
Kelly, B. G., & Habib, M. (2023). Missed period? The significance of period-tracking applications in a post-Roe America. Sexual and reproductive health matters, 31(4), 2238940. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2023.2238940
ReplyDeleteThe ethical concerns with an app tracking this type of personal health info is very delicate. Could advertisers learn when someone is the most vulnerable or even impulsive if they had access to this kind of information? I heard a story of a dad finding out his teenage daughter was pregnant because advertisements for baby supplies were mailed to the house based on her search history. What's especially scary is that she didn't even know herself! I guess A.I. was able to determine her change of condition before she was able to. Being male, i'm not sure I understand the potential benefits for tracking this kind of data and couldn't comment on whether the positives outweigh the potential drawbacks.
I like how you pointed out that cycle tracking can empower women with more knowledge about their own bodies while also raising concerns about data privacy. It really shows both the potential and the risks of this technology. It makes me think about whether the benefits of increased menstrual literacy outweigh the ethical concerns of how personal health data might be used.
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