my concerns with the rise of tech in women's health

I was doing a lot of research this morning around the Fertility Awareness Method [1], sometimes also called FAM for short (different to the Rhythm Method). In it's basic form FAM is a natural birth control tool to help women track their monthly cycle through monitoring cervical fluids, cervical position, and tracking the basal body temperature.

It is used by women who wish to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy.

There is obviously more to it than this, but I will leave a more detailed explanation for another post. If you're curious about FAM here is a video from Victoria who runs a YouTube channel called Femme Head [2], which has loads of helpful information about women's health, periods, fertility, natural birth control etc.

Today I wanted to express some sadness, and perhaps a little frustration, around how a lot of women's cycle work these days are very technology and screen based. I understand the advantages of this when it comes to efficiency, reliability, and more data available for individuals or groups. I fully acknowledge that because of science and the increase of technology use (in general as well as digital), lives have been improved and saved.

Still, as I (ironically) watch YouTube videos about tracking apps and using digital thermometers (to help women track their basal body temperature- part of FAM) and research ways to track my cycle, I couldn't help but notice that a lot of information directed me towards tracking apps, or digital thermometers or $500 tracking devices.

Once again, I recognise that a lot of these have helped thousands of women's lives get more in touch with their bodies, cycles and periods. It's empowered many women to not use the birth control pill or hormonal implants just because they are the most recommended options by GP's and gynaecologists.

I was originally going to call this post The Lost Art of.... but found it difficult to find words to finish the sentence. What is being lost in the rise of technology in women's health? I can't speak for others, but here is my personal take on it:

Rather than feel empowered or excited when I use tech or apps to track my cycle, sometimes I feel troubled or dismayed. I use the Clue tracking app [3] sporadically, sometimes being quite diligent with tracking my emotions, sleep, and PMS symptoms, when my period comes etc. Other times I only use it to track my period to help me gauge when my next one may come around (I'm aware this is not the most reliable method).

I recently bought a basal body temperature (BBT) thermometer from the chemist. Even this was quite a process: do I buy an ordinary digital thermometer or do I pay an extra $4-$6 for a specific BBT thermometer? For a moment I felt very excited. It felt like I was really diving into doing work around my menstrual cycle. Into taking the first step of learning more about the Fertility Awareness Method. As I began opening the packet my excitement quickly waned... Plastic packaging. Plastic protective case (for the thermometer). Oh and hello, plastic thermometer. However, it is now in my possession, so I decided to work with it.

This was only four days ago, so I don't have much to share about this experience around tracking my BBT just yet. I may do so later down the track if it calls me.

Sometimes I feel disheartened about the situation, but I continue because at this stage this is the only option I know.

I'm aware there are other options, and I am exploring them. For example, a few of the videos I watched today were about the Daysy tracking device [4].

Daysy helps identify when it is safe to have unprotected sex, or when to have sex to support couples who wish to get pregnant. It is AUD$499.40 due to it's advanced tech and 99.9% accuracy, and seems to last a minimum of 2 years (the videos I watched were of women sharing their experiences of using Daysy for "1 year" or "2.5 years"), but it is also a new device, being founded in 2014, so it could last way beyond this.

The thing is, I would buy the Daysy.

Even if I feel conflicted about the rise of technology in women's health, I would still consider buying devices like Daysy. In fact, I nearly did. I even checked it out and had it in a cart, uploaded a coupon code, but before putting in my details decided to do more research about the device.

Why would I buy it? Because it is convenient. It is easier.

Rather than buy a book like Taking Charge of Your Fertility (by Toni Weschler, a great resource for those wanting to know more about FAM) [5], and follow her recommendations and guidance, there are times when I would rather buy a device that cuts out a lot of the work for me. This is why at times it can feel disempowering; our reliance on devices because it's 'easier' or more 'convenient' just pushes us to further rely on more technology to live our lives.

For example, what happened to pushing a door open? Automatic doors are a normal part of life we don't question. Sure, they help if you have an armful load of items, or maybe these days when a global pandemic has everyone being mindful of touching public surfaces, but an automatic door compared to a dormant door requires more parts and work to install and maintain. Parts that may require even more technology to create.

What is my point?

I could continue on a wild tangent here, but to wrap it up: I wish there were more options to track your monthly cycle or natural birth control off-screen.

I know there are options out there, such as tracking through the bullet journal method, or downloading/buying printables online [6].

a simple period tracker off Etsy

There is also the Cycles Journal, created by Rachel Amber [7].

"Whether you bleed currently or not, are on birth control, are pregnant, expecting or have an irregular cycle, this journal will help you follow all symptoms & patterns of your uterus & body."

~ cyclesjournal.com, 2020

Why does it matter that tracking monthly cycles is mostly done digitally?

I fully acknowledge this is a personal matter. I know a lot of people love monthly tracking apps, or using devices like Daysy. This post isn't to invalidate the importance of these advancements, or what they offer to people.

The more I examine the use of technology and screen time in society, the more I question the day-to-day devices we've incorporated into our lives. Not to dismiss them, but to raise questions around the role it plays in our lives.

Truth be told, it scares me to think a potential future for this planet is one where we rely on droids/artificial intelligence to live. It may be inevitable, especially with the rise of global population and global warming.

Maybe it's wishful thinking to reduce the amount reliance we have on digital practices?? To ground into more of-screen/digital devices lifestyles?

How do you feel about this?

Any other menstruators who wish there are more off-screen options for tracking our monthly cycles?

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Footnotes and References:

[1] Fertility Awareness Method

Moriarty, C 2020, What is a Fertility Awareness Method, and how do you start charting with FAMs?, Natural Womanhood: Know Your Body, accessed 02 February 2020, https://naturalwomanhood.org/what-is-a-fertility-awareness-method-and-how-to-start-charting/

[2] Femme Head YouTube channel

Zimmerman, V 2020, Femme Head, YouTube channel, accessed on 02 February 2020, https://www.youtube.com/c/FemmeHead/videos

[3] Clue period tracking app

Clue 2020, The app to track your period, and so much more, Clue, accessed on 02 February 2020, https://helloclue.com/period-tracker-app

[4] Daysy tracking device:

Daysy 2020, The Fertility Tracker Method, Daysy, accessed on 02 February 2020, https://daysy.com.au/learn-more/fertility-tracker-method/

[5] FAM book:

Weschler, T 2020, Taking Charge of Your Fertility, Taking Charge of Your Fertility, accessed on 02 February 2020 https://www.tcoyf.com/taking-charge-of-your-fertility/

[6] Example of downloadable period tracker:

OG, D 2020, Period Tracker Printable, Etsy, accessed on 02 February 2020,

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/857448198/period-tracker-printable-period-tracker?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=period+tracker&ref=sc_gallery-1-5&plkey=5791584857df16d7cc76babdf483f32e0f5de6be%3A857448198&pro=1

[7] Cycles Journal:

Cycles Journal 2020, Surrender to the Flow, Cycles Journal, accessed on 02 February 2020 https://cyclesjournal.com/

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Disclaimer:

I acknowledge this is one person's perspective, and that tech-based trackers, devices and advances have saved a lot of people's lives and empowered others.

The intention with this post is not to invalidate those people's experiences or to spread hate about inventions like Daysy, but rather to encourage people to question the role of digital technology in our lives. To examine whether or not they are for the better, or if we just happen to be feeding a story being fed to us by the mainstream.

I invite you to question what is true for you, and to continue examining if it still is. If what you resonate with is using tools like app trackers or natural birth control devices like Daysy, then I wish you well on your journey. I hope it continues to serve you.

If you are also questioning or exploring other ways to tune into your monthly cycle and engage deeper with it off-screen, I would love to hear from you (you can use the contact form).

P.S. if it wasn't clear: I do use tracker apps (like Clue), while I am looking for alternatives. It is a useful tool, but one I am slowly resonating with less at this stage of my life.