Global Menstrual Cycle Symptomatology as Reported by Users of a Menstrual Tracking Mobile Application

• DOI: 10.1101/2022.10.20.22280407
• Publication Date: 2022-10-28T04:47:34Z
• Authors: Alessandra J Ains...; Kimberly Peven; Ryan Bamford; Liudmila Zhaunova; Rodion Salimgaraev; Carley Prentice; Aidan Wickham; Adam Cunningham; Frederick Goddard; Sonia Ponzo; Samir N Babayev
• Keywords: Bloating; Menstruation; Mood swing

Abstract Background Although a shared experience throughout the world, menstrual symptomatology is underreported and often misunderstood, by both individuals who menstruate their providers. This study aimed to investigate cycle, including frequency of symptoms reported for each phase cycle relationship between symptoms. Methods included self-reported information during ovulatory cycles in mobile application users. Symptom was described overall, phase, day. Relationships were examined through correlation coefficients term frequency-inverse document analysis. Results 437,577 unique users 896,051 Somatic most frequently reported, logged 88.3% cycles. Of total logged, somatic, gastrointestinal, negative mood prevalent late luteal bleeding days. In contrast, positive discharge fertile window. Mood highly correlated with other (energetic happy r=0.62, anxious obsessive thoughts r=0.60). Fatigue somatic gastrointestinal such as bloating (r=0.62), headache (r=0.60), backache (r=0.58), nausea (r=0.55). Conclusions Menstrual cycle-related are very common vary cycle. While symptoms, pain, bloating, mood, commonly women also report energetic mood. Self-reported data from tracking health apps can improve our understanding prevalence variability menstrual-related Plain English Summary Our includes collected application. We found that symtpoms common, include physical large set may help normalize provide basis future research understanding.