Why Teens Should Use Period Tracking Apps

+ the best menstrual period calculator for teens

There’s a whole host of period tracking apps out there, from Clue to Flo app, and now luna’s joined the scene.

And because of how much is out there, it can be pretty hard to figure out what the best menstrual tracking app is for a teen who’s just started or is about to start their period.

So this article explores why cycle tracking is important for teens and what to look out for in a good menstrual period calculator.

How can cycle tracking benefit teens?

There’s plenty of reasons why older menstruators may want to track their cycles – having an ovulation cycle calculator can be helpful for those wanting to conceive, for example, or as a useful way to keep an eye on how perimenopause is impacting a cycle.

These may be the more common ways people choose to track their cycles, but there’s actually loads of other benefits too! And these are the benefits which a teen girl (AFAB) can reap the rewards from, if they get into the habit of using a period tracker.

Some benefits include…

• Being prepared for a period: luna gets a lot of worried teens asking medics in the anonymous Q&A feature about what to do if they get an unexpected period. Cycle tracking helps them be prepared, avoiding unexpected periods catching them off guard
• Get some reassurance on moods: cycle tracking often throws up patterns in how we feel, helping us to predict symptoms, anticipate mood swings, and plan activities accordingly
• Supports a proactive approach towards wellbeing: in short, this could be things like adjusting skincare based on when in a cycle skin gets oilier or dryer, changing up eating habits, and even exercise patterns
• Notice when something isn’t “normal”: what’s normal for one person is unique to them, and this could be things like the length and heaviness of a period or even being stuck in a particular mindset for a long period of time. By keeping track of these symptoms and feelings, teens then know when it’s a good idea to seek help from a trusted adult or a medical professional. It also avoids teens going to Dr. Google for their symptoms, and receiving an inaccurate diagnosis when really it’s normal for them and their stage of development

So, what makes a menstrual tracker good?

There isn’t a straight answer to this, because every single one out there has different benefits for the user.

What’s important to consider is whether it’s tailored to the user and suits their needs fully at their stage in life.

For example, a teen might want to see different things and get different prompts to an adult who has different goals and needs.

Things to consider when finding the best period tracker app for teens…

• It's holistic: does it also allow them to track their other cycles, e.g. mood, skin, sleep, without tracking a period if they haven’t started yet?
• Offers appropriate insights: is the app itself tailored to a teen audience, rather than being too focused on adult content e.g. conception?
• Accessible and free: is the menses period calculator in the app free, to some extent? So the teens can keep track without added payment?
• They'll like using it: is the app engaging enough that a teen would genuinely want to use it daily, so they are consistently tracking their cycle?

With all this in mind, the luna app might be the answer (“we are luna” on app stores)! The period tracker in the app is completely tailored to teen girls – and those assigned female at birth. 

It’s also a totally free period tracking feature, and the app is free to download, so they can use the tracker as much as they want without limits.

Plus, the luna app is so much more than just a period tracking. It has articles and videos plus quizzes to help cement learning. It also allows members to ask anonymous questions and get a medically-verified response, plus so many more exciting features available with limits for free, and completely unlimited for the price of a cup of coffee on premium!

But, in general, the most important thing is to consider the questions listed above and make sure that teens and pre-teens get into cycle tracking from an early age. It’s super important we empower teens to take charge of their physical and mental health, and cycle tracking is a key part of that.