myPause
A multitasking app that helps you understand your symptoms better, myPause is cleverly designed and easy to use, especially when it comes to tracking menopause symptoms.
Pros: Studies have shown that tracking and writing about menopause symptoms can actually reduce your psychological and physical discomforts, and having this handy resource at your fingertips will make it even easier to keep on top of your journaling. The app also shows trends in your symptoms with an arrow pointing up, down, or across beside each discomfort you’ve recorded, so you can make any needed adjustments.
Cons: Although myPause helps you get in touch with how your symptoms are moving, it doesn’t offer quite as much support when it comes to treatment options. If you like to stay connected to your phone, you’ll get a lot out of this app, but otherwise the twitter, support email, and feedback functions probably won’t appeal to you.
Symple
While not specifically designed for menopausal women, this symptom journal and health app makes it surprisingly easy to track, understand, and report new or unusual symptoms – and that can be pretty useful during menopause.
Pros: The app lets you track up to 20 symptoms at one time, plus you can attach notes and photos to your entries. You can also record how other aspects of your lifestyle (like eating habits, exercise, or daily medication) impact your symptoms. Once you’ve entered your relevant info, the app graphs it for you to see how all these aspects of your health intersect.
Cons: Even when each tracking feature is clear and easy to use, it can be difficult to compile all of the results into one straightforward picture. Some might find the charts difficult to read and compare, and because of the particular organizational structure, you aren’t able to easily recall good days and bad days.
Choosing the Right Tools for Your Journey
Menopause is a personal journey. Your set of symptoms will differ from other women, and your unique personality will determine how you experience them, and how you approach the challenge. Also, your particular medical history, age, and stage of menopause could rule out certain treatments, but favor others.
Accurate information and good recording habits can be immensely helpful, but a targeted menopause app probably won’t solve all your problems. You should also consider some more general tools that keep you on a healthy track: fitness motivators, menu planners, shopping lists, sleep trackers, and brain trainers all have a place in a proactive self-care plan.
