Developing a Mood and Menstrual Tracking App for People With Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: User-Centered Design...

Area of Science:

• Women's Health
• Mental Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptoms fluctuate with the menstrual cycle, requiring daily tracking for diagnosis.
• Existing period-tracking apps lack the full capabilities to accurately capture PMDD symptoms.
• Femtech advancements have increased app development, but a specialized PMDD diagnostic tool is missing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather user insights for developing a PMDD-specific mood tracking app prototype.
• To inform the design of an app that aids in PMDD diagnosis and research.
• To understand user needs for prospective mood monitoring in PMDD.

Main Methods:

• Two user-centered design studies were conducted, involving interviews and workshops.
• Participants with lived experience of PMDD or severe premenstrual syndrome provided feedback.
• Transcripts from interviews and workshops were thematically analyzed.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: ease of use, comprehensive symptom tracking, appropriate language, and user-beneficial features.
• User feedback emphasized the need for simplicity and engagement in the app design.
• Suggestions align with research on managing daily activities and promoting app engagement.

Conclusions:

• An app for PMDD must consider symptom impact on user interaction and daily life.
• Simplicity and engagement are crucial for daily app use, especially during symptom-free periods.
• Integrated insights and feedback can enhance user well-being and ensure prolonged app use.