1. Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles is a calendar-based contraceptive app that hopes to revolutionise the way we think about birth control. By interpreting your menstrual data and asking you to take your body temperature daily, it can calculate the days on which days you most likely to conceive (and so should avoid unprotected sex) and highlights which days you should be good to go, without the fear of unintended consequences. The first of its kind licensed for use in the EU, it has shown to be 93 per cent effective when used typically. Pros: It’s a useful option for anyone who can’t or doesn’t feel comfortable using other forms of birth control currently available, but can also be used as an ovulation planner for couples looking to conceive. Even better, it will even give you (and by extension, everyone around you) a heads up for when to expect PMS! Cons: Well, first and foremost, is the fact that takes a whole lot of faith to trust your phone with your child-free life. Despite seemingly being pretty effective when used correctly, makers admit accuracy can be thrown off by illness or hangovers, which pretty much writes it off for anyone with a work hard - play hard lifestyle. [caption id="attachment_12474228" align="aligncenter" width="6556"]
2. Spruce
For anyone that has ever experienced the bane of troubled skin, Spruce will come as something of a revelation. It’s an app that hooks you up with a qualified dermatologist online, without the need to wait for a physical appointment. You simply request a dermatologist, enter some information about your medical history, describe the issue and send a couple of snaps; in return, they’ll send you a treatment plan and a prescription to your pharmacy. Pros: Although it's not free, at an average cost of less than $100 per use, it is far cheaper than seeing a dermatologist would normally be. It's also quite far reaching when it comes to what conditions it can cover, from acne to psoriasis, or male hair loss to bug bites. This one comes very highly recommended by users, which is always reassuring. Cons: At present, it’s only available in the USA, and even then only in certain states, so could definitely do with becoming more widely accessible. [caption id="attachment_36838" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
3. Clue
Ah the app that actually does what Apple forgot to - let’s you track your menstrual cycle so you can predict exactly you’re likely to come on next, notice patterns in your cycle and predict when you’re most fertile. In turn, all of the information it generates can help you understand other things, like your sex drive, mood swings and eating habits. Pros: Not only does it help you to get to know your body and to plan ahead (no more ruined knickers), it can also help avoid those awkward conversations in the nurse's office where she asks you details are you're like "errrrrr...." Refreshingly for an app aimed at women, it’s neither pink nor covered in hearts. Cons: It could definitely be more specific when it comes to the symptoms category, for example there is no distinction between those “little twinge” period pains and those “my uterus is literally murdering me” ones. Although this app used to be free, but is now introducing more paid features so how much you get out of it kind of depends on how much you’re willing to commit. [caption id="attachment_36815" align="aligncenter" width="416"]
4. 7 Cups
Sometimes, we all need someone to talk to, whether as a shoulder to cry on or just someone to vent to. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we want to talk to someone we know well, so 7 cups offers a way round this by hooking you up in real-time with trained listeners via an instant messaging service. It’s a bit like the equivalent of a support phone line, but without the commitment to keep talking. Pros: It's certainly more discreet than a phone line so is great for those times when you just need someone to chat to instantly, no matter where you are. It's also free to use so very accessible, although you'll pay a fee if you want to talk to a certified therapist. Cons: While the listeners are kind souls and are trained by the app makers, they aren’t qualified counsellors; if you’re in need of a more substantial form of support then it may be best to go to your doctor. Some users have reported that the listeners are busy at times so it can take a few minutes between replies, and that it took a few goes before they found a listener that they "clicked" with. [caption id="attachment_36823" align="aligncenter" width="416"]
5. Breast Check Now
Launched by Breast Cancer Now, the UK's largest breast cancer research charity, this app aims to increase the number of women that actually check their breasts regularly by allowing users to set reminders and track when they last did it, as well as providing guidance on the warning signs to look out for. According to Breast Cancer Now, over 1500 lives a year could be saved if every woman checked her breasts regularly. Pros: We all know we should do it at least once a month, but that doesn't mean we actually remember to. If you're one of the 50 per cent of women that fall into this category, then setting up a tracking plan could actually be very helpful. What's more, you can choose to make notes about details such as bumps, shape etc, so that you get to know what's normal for you. Cons: By all accounts the reminders can be a little hit or miss, but this is something the makers have been working to shore up. Other than that, the cons of this one are few and far between. [caption id="attachment_36828" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
