Align: Empowering High School Students with PMS Awareness and Holistic Support

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a biological condition impacting the physical, social, and emotional well-being of women, but one which is inadequately handled in society and education. This research highlights primary and secondary research, including survey, interviews, and literature review, to discover the vital gaps in PMS awareness among high school students. It was found that lack of awareness, stigma, and lack of resources to handle PMS are the primary gaps. The paper delves into concept development, wherein ideas are created, grouped, and developed through systematic approaches like brainstorming, idea bucketing, and morphological analysis. This resulted in the creation of ‘Align’, an integrated system of interactive workshops and a mobile app. The workshops allow free-flowing discussions while encouraging empathy and offering real-world coping mechanisms. The app provides symptom tracking, dietary advice, community support, and educational resources. A prototype was developed and tested using usability testing by measuring effectiveness and user experience. Results indicate high user satisfaction, and participants found the practical aspects and ease of use appealing. This paper emphasises the importance of combined educational and technological interventions in raising awareness of PMS while minimising stigma and building a better-informed and more empathetic community.