BERLIN, May 08, 2025 — Clue, the leading period and reproductive health tracking app that relies on data, today announced its “Connect the Dots” campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month. The campaign emphasizes the often-underestimated link between menstrual cycles and mental health. Furthermore, with 90% of Clue users reporting that tracking with Clue enhances their understanding of their body patterns, the campaign will highlight how cycle tracking can improve people’s understanding of their physical and mental states.
“Historically, mental health and reproductive health research have both neglected women and individuals with cycles. Clue is dedicated to addressing this deficiency by examining the valuable insights our users gain from tracking their cycles and emotional well-being,” stated Rhiannon White, CEO of Clue. “Considering that half of our users with recorded health conditions report experiencing anxiety or depression, we must recognize that this is not coincidental but a significant health connection that requires our attention.”
Clue’s Mental Health Awareness Month initiative underscores several important findings from existing research and Clue’s data:
- Half of Clue users who have logged a health condition in the app have indicated they have anxiety and/or depression, suggesting a potentially widespread issue of mental health concerns among people with cycles.
- Three out of five women with mood disorders experience a worsening of symptoms during the premenstrual phase.
- Approximately three out of four menstruating women experience emotional symptoms during the premenstrual phase.
- Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression and anxiety.
- Over 80% of Clue users with a recorded anxiety/depression diagnosis and concerns about their symptoms feel more prepared for their symptoms by tracking with Clue.
A Data-Driven Approach to Cycle Health and Mental Wellbeing
For individuals with cycles, many emotional or mental health experiences are often dismissed or mislabeled as ‘just PMS,’ overlooking the more complex realities they may encounter throughout their menstrual cycle. To assist users in identifying the underlying issues, the Clue app offers robust tools for monitoring their emotional well-being throughout their cycle. Notably, ‘mood swings’ are the most frequently tracked feeling in the Clue app, highlighting the significance of emotional changes in users’ daily cycle experiences. With over 25 options related to mood, mental well-being, and social experiences, ranging from happy and confident to irritable and anxious, users can easily monitor their emotional state daily.
“Connecting the dots can be incredibly beneficial,” said Cornelia Hainer, PhD, Clue’s Head of Science. “By comprehensively tracking their cycle-related experiences, our users can identify patterns and connections that might otherwise go unnoticed. These insights can help them understand why they may feel certain ways during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Being able to anticipate emotional shifts empowers them to better manage daily life, whether it involves planning important events around their unique patterns or simply understanding that their feelings are linked to hormonal changes in their cycle.”
For those experiencing more severe symptoms, this data can be crucial for identifying patterns consistent with conditions like PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) or premenstrual exacerbation of existing mental health conditions. This provides both validation and valuable information to support data-driven conversations with healthcare providers.
“Clue has been essential in helping me understand the phases of my cycle and how they individually affect me. It has not only validated much of what I was experiencing in my body, but it also helped me recognize and diagnose my PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) so I could seek treatment. I had simply assumed that the monthly occurrences of disinterest, introversion, significant irritability, extreme breast tenderness, and more were me “being dramatic” or “sensitive.” It wasn’t until I noticed the pattern through the analysis of symptoms on Clue that I began to connect it with my cycle. This led to a discussion with my doctor and treatment that has significantly improved my daily life,” said Sarah, a Clue Member for 7+ years.
About Clue
Clue is the leading women-led menstrual and reproductive health app, trusted by over 10 million users worldwide. With a science-based approach, Clue empowers users to create a comprehensive personal health record, using each cycle as a tool to gain insights into their overall health. From general cycle health education to fertility, pregnancy, menopausal stages, and all changes and choices in between, the Clue app is CE-marked as a Class 1 medical-grade device. Clue regularly collaborates with researchers from top institutions and universities to help close the data gap and advance female health. Based in Berlin, Germany, Clue data is protected by the world’s strictest data laws (the EU’s GDPR) and by Clue’s unwavering commitment to upholding the privacy of its users, regardless of their location. For more information, visit helloclue.com.
CONTACT: press@helloclue.com
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