Flo Health offers a women’s health app that includes curated cycle and ovulation tracking, personalized health insights, expert tips and a private community. It has over 240 million downloads and 50 million monthly users.
Despite claiming to keep user information private, Flo shared consumer data with third parties including Facebook and Google. The FTC says those companies received unencrypted health data from the Flo app.
Flo helps you understand your cycle
As a women-centric app, Flo aims to be a more proactive and preventative healthcare tool than your average period tracker. It uses machine learning to offer curated cycle tracking and predictions, personalized health insights and real-time health alerts — all based on data that’s fed in from its sizeable user base.
In a recent survey, Flo users reported that using the app helped them understand their body’s signals (88.7%), feel more prepared and aware of their period symptoms (77.6%), and feel supported by a community of other users (68.7%). Flo users also said that they felt more open with others about their periods and symptoms (52.5%).
Flo’s privacy policy says that they can collect a lot of personal and usage information about their users – including their name, email address, birth data, location, weight, body temperature, dates of menstrual cycle, pregnancy details, symptoms, moods, and more. They can also share this information with third parties for promotional purposes – but only with users’ consent.
Flo helps you manage your symptoms
Flo offers a range of features to help you manage your symptoms during menstruation. They include period and ovulation predictions, cycle-related chats with Flo’s health assistant, and an anonymous community forum.
During the menstrual cycle, Flo also monitors your menstrual flow, libido (desire for sex), mood and other factors that influence your cycle. It also allows you to track your fertile days, predict ovulation and sync with fitness wearables.
The Flo app also has a PCOS Health Assistant, which detects the symptoms of this hormonal disorder and suggests that you visit your doctor. However, the risk models in this app have been shown to incorrectly diagnose PCOS in one or two of the virtual patients tested.
Flo shares sensitive personal information about users’ pregnancies and periods with third parties despite promising that they wouldn’t. The company reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission in 2021.
Flo helps you stay motivated
Flo’s mission is to help women of all ages take care of their body. They do this by creating innovative products that address real, common issues that women of all ages face.
The company is at the forefront of female wellness, with a deep belief that small changes accumulate into major outcomes. They also believe that positive affirmations and motivational messages can help women stay motivated to take care of their body.
In addition, they provide a community where you can share your experiences and support others. This can help you feel less alone and more confident in your decision-making process.
Flo’s app can collect a lot of data, which is why it is important to read its privacy policy carefully. This is so you can understand how it will use that information.
Flo helps you make better decisions
Flo helps you make better decisions about your health by providing you with the information you need. Its community forums, tailored digital support material, and medically-backed health content empower women to take control of their own health.
Taking care of your body isn’t always easy. Even in the digital age, misinformation about women’s health can spread quickly, leading to negative outcomes.
In addition to helping women track their period, ovulation, and pregnancy, Flo also helps new mothers understand their physical and mental health in the post-pregnancy period. Flo’s unique insights mined from its data assets have opened a second monetization strategy – through B2B employee benefits for large employers.
Flo’s team has faced many challenges as it’s evolved from a period and ovulation tracking app to a top-rated health app. It has needed to embrace modern practices to increase speed and success, scale quickly and keep quality high, and work remotely across global locations.