Menstrual cycle tracking applications: Opportunities and challenges for gynecological prevention. a narrative review

Menstrual cycle tracking applications are increasingly used by women for a variety of purposes extending beyond reproductive planning. In addition to predicting menstrual cycles and fertile windows, these tools can assist in monitoring symptoms, increasing awareness of menstrual health, providing educational information, and facilitating communication with healthcare professionals. This narrative review examines the potential role of such applications in gynecological prevention, with particular attention to menstrual health awareness, early recognition of abnormal symptoms, and opportunities for preventive health monitoring. It also discusses important challenges associated with their use, including limitations of prediction algorithms, variability in accuracy, and concerns related to the collection and management of sensitive reproductive health data. The reviewed literature indicates that menstrual tracking applications may offer meaningful support for preventive care when used as complementary tools rather than as diagnostic systems. Nevertheless, their clinical usefulness remains constrained by the limited availability of validation studies, differences in app quality, and unresolved issues regarding data privacy and user protection.