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PCOS app

PCOS app was developed for people with PCOS who want to learn more about PCOS in relation to nutrition and lifestyle factors.

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PCOS app	By Caitlin Johnson, RD INC
	Features Goal setting - based on a quiz only which lead to recommend their supplements. Education on nutrition and PCOS related topics. Recipes.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review, including safety concerns, below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes Require a login? No Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes The app states that it tracks data on your location, identifiers usage data and diagnostics. The data linked to you; location, identifiers, usage data and diagnostics. Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Basic is free, but there is a paid monthly upgrade version.
Advertisements	This app recommends buying PCOS supplements (from its own brand)
How to get the app	(external link)

This app has a free section which allows access to a basic version of the app, with quick-tips on improving well-being and access to the podcast and some sections of the Pulse newsletter. To access the rest of the app, you need to pay a $19.99/month subscription. This allows access to the recipes, all of the articles and additional courses on nutrition. The app has a variety of quizzes and from these responses they recommend purchasing different supplements (of note, these are all their own brand).

For the complete app description, go to App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ App is >4 years old, frequently updated. ✔ Nice design and easy to use. ✔ Reasonable access to the podcast content with the free app.	✘ Limited access to recipes and articles without the subscription. ✘ The app recommends users purchase their brand of supplements, which are very expensive. ✘ Monthly subscription of $19.99 is quite expensive to access the full app.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Dr Phoebe Hunt, Medical Officer working in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Magma Healthcare
Date of review: July 2023
Platform: Apple
Version: 5.0.4
Comments: I didn’t really like this app given that it has such limited free content and that a lot of the information given following the quizzes (on your goals etc) recommends that you buy their supplements. I think when a health app is linked to the sale of a product, it makes me suspicious that the goal of the app is to sell products, rather than deliver evidence-based information.
Safety concerns: I would proceed with caution when any source with health information also promotes purchasing their own products.
New Zealand relevance: No.
Concerns: While the app has a lot of information which will be relevant to New Zealand users, the app is designed for US users so there may be some variation in comparison with the New Zealand health system to what is available/recommended. The platform to buy the supplements is based in the US, thus pricing and shipping will be based on a US market.

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Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app
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NZ Health App Library

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.