Leveraging Technology for Menstrual Health Education: A Comprehensive App for Adolescents with Integrated Community and Healthcare Support

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) remains a critical yet often overlooked issue affecting the health, education, and dignity of millions of women and adolescent girls, particularly in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). While digital solutions are emerging, most existing apps fall short due to limited features, poor privacy standards, and lack of accessibility. This paper describes the Period App, a comprehensive and scalable mobile application that addresses such challenges by providing reliable menstrual health education, a personalized chatbot, and a safe open discussion platform. Developed using insights from a very extensive literature review and a tailored user survey, the app was designed to deliver culturally relevant content, supported by a multilingual interface in nine languages. The integration of an AI-powered chatbot, built using Google’s Gemini API, enhances user engagement by delivering personalized responses and real-time advice. To ensure inclusivity, features such as text-to-speech and contextual interaction were implemented to accommodate diverse user needs. The app’s community platform further enables experience-sharing and peer support, creating a safe space to reduce menstrual stigma. By leveraging technology and strategic partnerships with NGOs and healthcare providers, the app aims to improve MHM outcomes and empower girls and women in underrepresented communities.