The Impact of TealTracker, a

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Mobile

Application, on the Wellbeing of Women

with PCOS

Thayle Reid-Hellberg

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

2

Diagnosis-two of three

symptoms (2)

➔ Irregular menstruation

➔Cysts in the ovaries

➔ Imbalanced hormone levels (9)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

3

Other Symptoms (2)

➔Excess hair growth (facial hair, chest hair, etc.)

➔Hair thinning/ balding

➔Acne

➔Weight issues (overweight, obesity)(9)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

4

More likely to develop other health risks (2)

➔ Insulin resistance

➔ Type 2 diabetes

➔ Cardiovascular disease

➔ Uterine cancer

➔ Infertility

➔ Metabolic Syndrome (9)

1/10 Women have PCOS Worldwide

Majority Go Undiagnosed

US: 5-10%

Diagnosis delayed several years in the US & Europe

Mexico 6%-9%

Asia 6%-9%

Australia 6%-9%

UK, Spain & Greece 6%-9%

● Cause-unknown (2)○ Either genetic or hormonal

● No cure (2)

● Treatments (2)○ Diet change

■ Low carb○ Lifestyle change

■ More exercise ○ Medication

■ Metformin ■ CBD Oil 7

Introduction

https://www.livescience.com/42043-

metformin.html

8

Mental Health

Anxiety Depression

Bipolar Disorder

Body Dysmorphia

Insomnia

Smartphone Applications

Lack in the market of an efficient and practical PCOS application(5)

• Most Important• Evidenced based information (5)• Easily accessible (5)• Organization (5)• Participation in a community (5)

• Social media • Self education

9

Introduction

https://www.siteminder.com/r/technology/hotel-mobile-technology/streamline-guest-experience-8-

reasons-hotel-needs-mobile-app/

Literature Review

Coviello et al. 2006

● PCOS Adolescent Girls

Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

● Associated with Androgen levelsindependent of obesity and insulin resistance

10

Literature Review

11

McCook et al. 2005- PCOSQ

• Reported Insecurities

• Menstrual Concerns

• Facial hair

• Weight

• Infertility

• Participants thankful someone cared to research PCOS

12

Rodriguez et al. 2019

● Clue App○ Menstruation Tracking Smartphone Application

■ Self-reported

● Menstrual cycles

● Medical history

● Used Clue App to diagnose PCOS

● Evaluated by physician

● App over diagnosed PCOS

Literature Review

https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/17/15653972/clue-app-pill-tracking-update-what-

to-do-missed-birth-control

Clue Application

Literature Review Xu et al. 2018

Investigated needs of women with PCOS in electronic and mobile health ● Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) analysis

○ 16 Apps ○ IOS & Android

● Surveyed Participants

● Market missing○ Reliable App○ Evidence-based

13

91% of Women Surveyed

Reported they WOULD use an App with these

Features

Gap in the Research

14

Lack of Research in

PCOS

Lack of Awareness

and Education of PCOS

Lack of Resources for

PCOS and Mental Health

Statement of Purpose

15

To investigate the impact of a potential smartphone application for PCOS

HypothesisWomen with Polycystic Ovarian

Syndrome will report the need and desire for an evidence-based

smartphone application including reporting most

essential features

16

MethodologyParticipants

Promoted through

Instagram ads

Website ads

n=232 Women

17

Administered

December 9, 2019 -December 10, 2019

Open Participation

18

Survey

Self Reported

Online SurveyGoogle Forms

Methodology

Demographics Diagnosis

Past application

use

Potential application

use

Desired features Community

Survey Categories

Variation of Question Format● Yes/No ● Multiple Choice● Select ALL that Apply● Short Answer

Methodology

Short Answer Responses

Responses Categorized

Tally Popularity of Each Category

19

Survey Data Analysis

Quantitative Data

Percentages of each answer calculated and graphed

Coding Analysis

20

Results

Results

Results

22

232 100%

No 0 0%

Do you have a smartphone?

Do you have another “smart” device (ex: tablet, laptop, Alexa, etc.)

Yes

Yes 37 15.9%

No 195 84.1%

Do you currently use any app for PCOS?

Yes 18 7.8%

No 214 92.2%

Results

23

Yes

If not, would you use an app for your PCOS?

No

Maybe

169 72.8%

3 1.3%

59 25.4%

https://www.consumerreports.org/products/smart-phone/apple-iphone-11-pro-max-399696/overview/

Results

24

Common Responses

● Peer-reviewed information○ Self-education ○ Tips for management

● Support ○ Create a community

■ Social media aspect● Less common

○ Motivation○ Q&A section○ Events ○ Local references ○ Resources ○ Notes

http://libanswers.sju.edu/faq/36073

Results

25

● Trackers○ Menstruation○ Mood ○ Symptoms○ Weight ○ Nutrition

● Community services

● Valid information

Desired Features

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Female-Health-Tracking/Add-logging-for-moods/td-

p/2738479

Mood Tracker Example

https://www.pcma.org/myplate-app-food-exercise-tracker/

Nutrition Tracker Example

Discussion •Women with PCOS have increased health risks

physically & mentally

•Women with PCOS are more concerned about their mental health

correlated with physiology

•Facial hair, weight issues, infertility

Supported by McCook et. Al 2005

•Lack of information on PCOS

•More information better therapy & treatments

26

Discussion Increase in availability to information better off

Creation of a smartphone application multiple functions improve the quality of life of women with PCOS

Increase in technology tools are more accessible

Desired functions tracking, community, peer-reviewed information

Supported by Xu et al 2018

27

28

Lack in education and

awarenessDespite being the leading

endocrine disorder in women

Physical health concerns are

associated with PCOS

Along with mental disorders Research is needed

Will contribute to better treatment in all aspects Creation of a smartphone

application is needed

Will give women with PCOS a voice and the ability to advocate for themselves

Significance

Conclusion ● Women with PCOS have a desire for a

smartphone application ○ Tracking medically ○ Create a community

support system○ Peer-reviewed articles easy access

● Positive impact self-education

29

30

Future Research Creation

of TealTracker

Evidenced-based

information

31

Acknowledgements

• My mentor- Kevin Tarczali • Polycystic Ovarian

Syndrome Awareness Association (PCOSAA)

• Jen Plouffe- co-head Head of Medical Outreach

• My teacher- Ms. Gillian Rinaldo

• My science research peers

• My family & friends

References1. Andrea D. Coviello, Richard S. Legro, Andrea Dunaif; Adolescent Girls with Polycystic

Ovary Syndrome Have an Increased Risk of the Metabolic Syndrome Associated with

Increasing Androgen Levels Independent of Obesity and Insulin Resistance, The Journal

of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 91, Issue 2, 1 February 2006, Pages

492–497, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-1666

2. McCook, J. G., Reame, N. E., & Thatcher, S. S. (2006, March 09). Health‐Related

Quality of Life Issues in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Retrieved from

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0884217504272945

3. Rodriguez, E., Thomas, D., Druet, A., Wheeler, M. V., Lane, K., & Mahalingaiah, S.

(2019). Identifying Women at Risk for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Using a Mobile

Health Application. DOI: 10.1101/659318

4. The Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM‐sponsored PCOS consensus workshop group; Revised 2003

consensus on diagnostic criteria and long‐term health risks related to polycystic ovary

syndrome (PCOS), Human Reproduction, Volume 19, Issue 1, 1 January 2004, Pages 41–47,

https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh098

5. Xu, R., Gilbert, E., Kuczynska-Burggraf, M., Tan, B., Teede, H., Vincent, A., Boyle, J.

(2018). Ask PCOS: Identifying Need to Inform Evidence-Based App Development for

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, 36(01), 059–065. DOI:

10.1055/s-0038-1667187

The Impact of TealTracker, a

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Mobile

Application, on the Wellbeing of Women

with PCOS

Thayle Reid-Hellberg