Abstract

This study is an attempt to critically examine disruptions in menstruation, the role of AI in menstrual health tracking, challenges in data privacy, commercialization of menstrual data and provide actionable solutions. Menstruation is a natural biological process which prepares a woman’s body for pregnancy. However, rapid urbanization, changing work environments, and increased exposure to technology have altered the daily routine of women and with increasing number of women joining the work force, while striving to manage domestic responsibilities perfectly, they face increased stress levels and altered sleep patterns impacting the menstrual cycle and overall health. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare, particularly in menstrual health, has led to the increasing use of tracking applications which promise personalized health insights. Though these apps offer multiple benefits but they also collect vast amounts of intimate user-generated data like sexual activity, mood, medication, for enabling personalized predictions and advice leading to a possible era of ‘menstrual surveillance’. The major areas of concern include data privacy, algorithmic bias, inclusivity, commercialization of menstrual data, potential biases due to non-representative datasets, and culturally insensitive AI models. In patriarchal societies, such as India, menstrual data can be weaponized, putting users’ privacy and safety at risk. This paper aims to explore these critical challenges and propose inclusive, ethical solutions for the responsible harnessing of AI in menstrual health. My research would advocate for participatory design processes that involve diverse stakeholders, including marginalized groups, to ensure inclusivity in AI systems. Additionally, it would highlight the importance of robust data protection measures to safeguard user privacy and enforce transparency in how data is collected, stored and shared. By understanding the intersection of lifestyle factors and AI-driven solutions, individuals can better navigate their reproductive health with informed decision-making and personalized care.

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