Please note: This trial has finished recruiting and is not accepting new participants.

Research Center: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Location: This is a virtual study
Principal Investigators: Dean Michelle Williams, Dr. Russ Hauser and Dr. Brent Coull
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by Advarra Institutional Review Board

Background

 

Most women encounter mild symptoms before and during menstruation while others are not so fortunate. Certain behaviors and habits during a woman’s lifetime could have an impact on the menstrual cycle and can influence fertility, menopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Treating the menstrual cycle as a vital sign just like temperature, pulse, and respiration rate could lead to earlier detection of many health and gynecological conditions.

This study aims to advance the understanding of the relationship between menstrual cycles, health, behavior, and habits. This study also hopes that the data gathered can lead to better global awareness and empowerment on women’s health issues.

You can participate in this study for as long as you would like. We will ask you if you would like to renew your consent to continue in this study every 2 years. Interested participants must be 18 years old and are currently living in the United States of America. They need to have menstruated at least once in their life and have an iPhone 6s or a later version with an iOS of 13.2 or later. 

Why Participate? 

 

• You may contribute to further understanding of the menstrual cycle.
• You may help contribute to further understanding of the correlation between certain lifestyle factors and their impact on menstrual health and  gynecological conditions.
• You may help greatly advance the understanding of the biological and social determinants of women’s health.
• You may help other women with gynecological conditions in the future.
• You will be helping to advance women’s health research.

Your Rights

 

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you may withdraw at any time.
• Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.

Who Can Participate?

 

• Must be 18 years or older and have menstruated at least once.
  • This study is open to women who are pregnant, lactating or are experiencing menopause.
  • This study is also open to women who are transgender.
• Must be living in the United States of America (including Puerto Rico).
• Must have an iPhone 6s or a later version with an iOS of 13.2 or later.
• Able to comply with all study requirements which includes installing the Apple Research app.

Please note:

 

Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the study team would like to note the following:

• This is a virtual study which means you can participate in the comfort of your own home. 
• There will be no in-person visits or clinic appointments in this study.
• In this study, there is no need to have close interactions with any person.