Table 2.
Main aspects of app store pages
| App store pages description | Summary | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Support for multiple fertility goals (26 out of 31 app store pages) | Apps most commonly describe supporting goals of period tracking (PT—29 apps), trying to conceive (TTC—21), trying to avoid conception (TTA—9), and pregnancy tracking (PgT—7). According to apps’ pages, these different goals can be supported through tracking multiple health indicators. |
“Whether you are concerned about conceiving, birth control and contraception, or regularity of period cycles” [A3] “predicts menstrual cycles, helping women to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy” [A21] |
| Available health indicators to track (31 out of 31 app store pages) | Of the 31 app store pages, 29 emphasize support for tracking several health indicators, highlighting extensive lists of possible indicators. Two apps emphasize a limited list of indicators, describing that users only need to track period dates. |
“Comprehensive Health Tracking” [A1] “Track over 30 health categories and start to see the patterns in your health” [A22] “no need for extensive charting and daily temperature taking” [A14] |
| Feedback (31 out of 31 app store pages) | All apps provide feedback to users. Feedback includes predictions for next periods, ovulation, and fertile window and is often provided through visualization of tracked data. App store pages frequently suggest it will be easier for people to see patterns and variations in their cycles through visualization, particularly calendars. |
“See fertile days and variations in your cycle at a glance” [A5] “vital information at a glance” [A17] |
| Encourage users to exert control over their bodies (16 out of 31 app store pages) | 10 apps use expressions such as take control apps, while 6 others emphasize how users can end the guesswork by using their app. Fertility apps suggest that they can help people understand or control their cycle, fertility, reproductive health, or even their overall health. |
“All women, even those with irregular periods, can rely on this health tracker” [A26] “take full control of your health with the app” [A11] “shows you the science behind your menstrual cycle” [A31] |