Using Magic Machines to Elaborate Menstrual Self-Tracker­s for Women with Endometriosis

Sammanfattning: Existing self-tracking tools for women concentrate on one’s general well-being and keeping track of ovulation and periods. With around 10% of women worldwide suffering from endometriosis there is an unmet need to leverage self-tracking for women whose cycles are affected by more variables. The disease is enigmatic with an unknown cause and cure and the ill­ness differs for each individual in symptoms and working treatments. It is therefore critical to understand how women can learn about their bodies and how to treat their condition. In this research I work with two sufferers to identify their secret de­sires through a workshop and a series of interviews. Results suggest that women with endometriosis could benefit from ex­perimenting with different habits and make personalized routines to suit their own needs. Finally I present design implica­tions for an existing menstrual app in the form of an add-on. The steps of the add-on tool included three steps. Firstly, choosing variables of one’s well being to track (mood, energy, pain etc.), choosing activities for one or more cycles (gluten-free diet, exercising etc.), and lastly viewing an analysis of any changes in the body.