In March, Journal My Health launched a period tracker as a new feature to our platform. Despite a lack of studies documenting the impact of a woman’s menstrual cycle on her chronic condition, interviews with our female users supported our belief of a possible link between the two. We designed this feature to help women with autoimmune issues and chronic conditions gain a deeper understanding of whether their cycle was impacting their own health.
In response to questions we’ve received from users in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and because of concern from some online that this type of data could be used to aid in prosecutions of women in states that have reduced access to or criminalized abortions, we want to clarify this period tracker is an optional feature. No one using Journal My Health is required to use the period tracker as part of the service. For future releases, we will be adding extra measures to further protect our customers’ privacy concerning this feature.
As a company on a mission to use modern technology to help patients better understand and tell their health stories, we are deeply saddened that the potential exists for data like this to be weaponized against a person. This is yet another affront to women’s health and well being.
Journal My Health will be making a contribution to Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania to continue to support women’s health.
