If it feels like there’s an app for everything, that’s because there is. There are even perimenopause apps - software designed to help women throughout this period in life, defined by confusion and brain fog with a hint of depression, anxiety, and irritability.
With all these distracting symptoms, it pays to use technology to help you throughout your perimenopausal journey.
Here are five of the best perimenopause apps that focus on guiding you through the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes leading up to menopause - the first anniversary of your last menstrual cycle.
Understanding Perimenopause and Its Challenges
What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition to menopause when estrogen production in the ovaries starts slowing down. It’s a long process that can take as long as a decade to complete, with varying day-to-day symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, anxiety, depression, weight gain, and so much more!
Common Symptoms and Health Impacts
Going through perimenopause throws your usual routine out of order. One day, you’ll wake up feeling anxious for no reason. At night, you might wake up hot and sore. Then, tomorrow comes, and it’s as if nothing happened. It's weird, right?
During perimenopause, your body’s hormonal balance loses rhyme and rhythm, so your health starts to suffer.
Similar to menopause, perimenopause comes with a laundry list of symptoms, including:
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Concentration and memory issues
- Vaginal dryness
- Reduced interest in sexual intercourse
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes and night sweats
Top 5 Perimenopause Apps
Imagine trying to balance a career, family life, and perimenopausal symptoms - quite a handful, isn’t it?
Thankfully, new and innovative apps are making the perimenopausal journey more manageable, helping you track symptoms and even giving you tips on how to thrive during this period of your life.
App 1: Reverse.health Weight Loss
Rooted in empowering women going through perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, Reverse Health is all about providing sustainable, personalized solutions for women learning to handle the ongoing and incoming physiological changes.
Features:
- A weight loss and fitness program targeting menopausal women who prefer a more personalized approach.
Benefits:
- Customized recommendations based on your profile
- Designed for women ages 40 and up
- Holistic approach
- Community support
User reviews:
“I absolutely love the Reverse Health app! I am starting my fourth week and have lost almost 15 lbs. This app is full of information, delicious meals, exercise videos, and Daily Tips. Reverse Health keeps me on target with daily check-ins. The best part of the app is I don't have to figure out what exercises to do, and what I'm going to have for each meal. Reverse Health has done all the work for me, and there are options to change meals and servings. Cooking for one is easier now because the app breaks it down. You can change the servings based on how many people you are feeding, or if you want leftovers the next day. Thank you Reverse Health for opening up my palate to various dishes!” - Terri P, Trustpilot.
App 2: Olivia
Olivia uses expert-created programs based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help improve menopause-related symptoms like sleep disruptions, low self-confidence, stress, and anxiety. It also has a symptom tracker that lets users identify symptom triggers with a digital space for journaling and reflection.
Features:
- CBT-based symptom management tool with symptom tracking.
Benefits:
- Extensive knowledge bank of research-backed menopause information
- Supportive community
- Personal Journal
App 3: Balance
Balance is an Apple award-winning digital health tool with an ORCHA certification (this means outside medical experts have vetted the app, and it has received digital health accreditation) designed to support women through perimenopause. It comes with a period tracker, a community forum, and in-app tracking, where you can log your medications and mood and generate a health report.
Features:
- ORCHA-certified digital health tool for menopausal women.
Benefits:
- Data-driven health report
- Logging tool
- Period tracker
- Expert-vetted
User reviews:
*“This app is a great resource for women who are struggling with perimenopause and menopause! There is a section where members review different forms of HRT & it shows you their results. It has some helpful articles. This is a new App, and will need some fine-tuning but overall it's a great start!” *- Savvystyles by Amy, App Store.
App 4: Asana Rebel
Perimenopause can make you feel like nothing about your body is working right as soon as you open your eyes. Asana Rebel can help with this by giving you access to menopause-friendly workouts designed to improve your flexibility, strengthen your core, and release happy hormones - all musts if you’re going through perimenopause.
Features:
- Beginner-friendly yoga-centric fitness app with guided meditations, healthy recipes, and fun challenges.
Benefits:
- Daily progress tracking
- Syncs with Apple Music, Soundcloud, and Spotify
- Hundreds of yoga classes are available
User reviews:
“Really love this app. Exceptional value for a year's subscription. There is literally a workout to suit everyone, regardless of age, fitness level, mood, type of day you've had, and what you're looking to achieve. The music is great and you can select the track that suits you for each workout. I love both male and female trainers for variety and motivation. Filmed in lovely, inspirational, and relaxing places. The mindfulness meditation extracts are great, and never fail to help me sleep.” - Nicola Miller, Google Playstore.
App 5: Perry
Sometimes, all you need to make your perimenopause journey more bearable is someone to talk to, and that’s what Perry does.
The app is one big female-exclusive community where women can get advice from others who’ve gone through perimenopause and share anecdotal advice on what worked for them and what didn’t.
Think of it as a social media website designed for menopause, with expert-led information on menopause, such as discussion panels, articles, and tutorials.
Features:
- Social media-like interface where users can interact with other members and share their menopause experiences.
Benefits:
- Community-led experience
- Multiple support groups
- Research-backed resources
User reviews:
“I have never left a review for a phone app. This is the first time I felt compelled to do so. Perimenopause is one of the most difficult phases of life for a woman, and this app makes the transition bearable. Many resources for support, and education (including guest speakers), and you can even search for and purchase peri/meno supplements and products. The most important and best feature is the community of women who support and lift each other up during this life transition. Nothing short of wonderful. Download this app today for instant support!” - Heathul, App Store.
Key Features to Look for in Perimenopause Apps
Symptom Tracking
Symptom tracking is like journaling, except it’s made more accessible.
Keeping a record of your perimenopausal symptoms is helpful for several reasons: it helps you identify certain triggers and better prepare for them, and it allows healthcare providers to make more personalized recommendations based on your unique perimenopausal journey.
Health and Wellness Tips
Lifestyle modifications like changing your diet and taking up specific forms of exercise can minimize the negative impact of perimenopause on the quality of your life. Some perimenopause apps are focused on diet, offering meal plans and nutrition advice. Others are more fitness-focused, giving you access to different kinds of exercise.
Ideally, the best perimenopause app should have both, but it still depends on what you feel you need the most to help you through this trying time.
Personalized Insights
Most general wellness apps forget that the people who need help with their health the most aren’t younger audiences but older users. Find a perimenopause app that offers research-backed insights about perimenopause, including everything you need to know about staying healthy.
Community Support
Community support can be an additional source of accountability, allowing you to become a part of a thriving community of like-minded women who share similar struggles with perimenopause.
Integration with Other Health Apps
Easy access to tracking data is one thing, integration with other health apps that you are already using is another.
Developing a heightened awareness of your health is never a bad thing. Tracking your sleep pattern, mood swings, water intake, calories, and more can help you support healthier lifestyle choices.
Sometimes, one perimenopause app isn’t enough to provide all the data you need. It would be beneficial if the app worked seamlessly with other health apps.
How Perimenopause Apps Can Improve Symptom Management
Tracking and Understanding Symptoms
Symptom tracking helps you make the necessary behavioral changes by making two things easier: goal-setting and self-management.
When you have constant but gentle reminders of what’s happening to your body and why it’s happening, it becomes easier for you to take the necessary action.
Access to Reliable Health Information
Your smartphone already has access to all the information in the world through the internet.
The best perimenopause apps condense all the resources you can find online and make them more accessible. For example, Reverse Health is literally designed for women going through menopause.
So, while this app isn’t helpful for younger demographics, it’s built specifically to help those going through perimenopause.
Connecting with a Supportive Community
Incorporating social features directly into an app lets users avoid feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common among perimenopausal women. Instead, they gain access to a friendly support group where they can discover others who are going through the same thing or have faced similar situations and offer advice on what worked for them.
Sometimes, all it takes to make perimenopause more bearable is a couple of helping hands to make you feel less alone.
Conclusion
One of the most significant changes perimenopause does in women is it forces them to take a step back.
After spending years juggling multiple roles and trying to do it all, perimenopause reminds you that you need to pay more attention to your body. But, with the help of these perimenopause apps, you can transition into your golden years without feeling overwhelmed, alone, and helpless.
FAQs
What criteria were used to select the best perimenopause apps?
The apps were evaluated based on criteria such as user reviews, features related to symptom tracking, ease of use, educational content, personalization options, and overall effectiveness in helping users manage perimenopause symptoms.
Are these apps free, or do they require a subscription?
Some of the apps listed are free to download and use, while others offer premium features or require a subscription. Each app’s cost structure is detailed in the reviews to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Can these apps replace professional medical advice?
No, these apps are designed to support symptom tracking and provide educational resources. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
Are the apps reviewed suitable for all stages of menopause?
While the focus is on perimenopause, many of the apps reviewed offer features that are useful throughout the entire menopausal transition, including post-menopause. The review notes which stages each app is best suited for.
Do these apps offer any privacy and data protection features?
Yes, privacy and data protection were important factors in the selection process. Each app’s privacy policy is reviewed, and details on how they handle user data are provided to ensure your personal information is secure.
