The 3 Red Flags I Never Ignore in Women’s Health Apps – and Why You Shouldn’t Either

In recent years, we’ve seen a major cultural shift in how women engage with their health. More of us are turning to digital tools - especially apps - to manage our wellbeing. From tracking periods and fertility to logging moods, symptoms, sleep, and beyond, these platforms promise a new era of convenience and insight.

But as a medical doctor and the founder of SheRanked, I want to pull back the curtain.

Because while some of these tools truly support women’s health, others are built on shaky foundations - lacking clinical oversight, manipulating user behavior, or quietly mishandling sensitive data.

Having evaluated dozens of popular women’s health apps through a medical and ethical lens, I’ve identified three red flags that consistently signal deeper issues. These aren’t minor concerns. They are the kinds of structural flaws that can have real consequences - both physically and psychologically - for the women who rely on these tools.

Below, I’ll walk you through each of them. And while I won’t reveal all the evaluation criteria we use inside our SheRanked Framework (those are reserved for our clients and members), this post will help you spot warning signs and understand what’s at stake.

🚩 Red Flag #1: No Medical Oversight or Clinical Credibility

Let’s begin with what’s often overlooked: who is behind the app?

Health apps - especially those that analyze cycle patterns, hormone symptoms, or fertility windows - are often perceived as medical tools. But many are developed by teams with little to no clinical expertise.

In fact, a study published in the BMJ reviewed 23 of the most popular period-tracking apps. Only two had any trace of peer-reviewed evidence or clinical input informing their features.

That means the majority were offering predictions, recommendations, or symptom interpretations without any validation from actual health professionals.

Why does this matter? Because misinformation in the health space isn’t just a tech bug - it’s a health risk. Poorly interpreted hormonal data, inaccurate ovulation forecasts, or generalized advice presented as “personalized insight” can lead users to delay care, misread symptoms, or make decisions with serious implications.

What to do:
If your app gives any kind of health advice or insight, it needs clinical backing. Don’t assume compliance - verify it.

For users: You can check which apps meet clinical safety standards by exploring our verified reviews at SheRanked.com.

🚩 Red Flag #2: Vague, Complex, or Hidden Data Policies

Your cycle. Your sex life. Your body. These are among the most private things about you. Yet many health apps treat this sensitive data as a business asset rather than a responsibility.

A 2023 investigation by the Mozilla Foundation revealed that 4 out of 5 health apps were sharing - or outright selling - user data to third parties. Worse still, much of this data sharing happened without clearly communicated, fully informed consent.

Some apps embedded trackers that funneled users’ sexual activity logs and cycle details directly to advertisers. In other cases, platforms buried disclosures in legalese, leaving users in the dark about what was actually happening with their data.

As a medical professional and data ethics advocate, I find this deeply troubling. Women are trusting these platforms with some of the most intimate parts of their lives. That trust should never be exploited.

What to do:
If you can’t explain your app’s data practices in one clear sentence, that’s a problem worth solving. Transparency builds trust - and protects your business.

For users: You can find out exactly which apps protect your privacy (and which don’t) through the SheRanked data privacy scoring system at SheRanked.com.

🚩 Red Flag #3: Manipulative UX and Behavioral Dependency

There’s a fine line between helpful reminders and emotional manipulation. Unfortunately, many women’s health apps cross that line.

In our research and user interviews, we’ve consistently seen evidence of UX design that encourages obsession - not wellness. From fear-based language (“You could miss your fertile window!”) to gated features (“Upgrade to see your next ovulation date”), these apps can generate anxiety around not tracking “perfectly.”

In one study published in the Journal of Digital Health, 60% of women reported feeling guilt or pressure when they stopped using their period tracking app. That’s not a sign of a healthy relationship with tech - it’s dependency, engineered through behavioral psychology tactics that prioritize engagement over wellbeing.

Design ethics matter. And in the context of health - where the emotional stakes are high - they matter even more.

What to do:
Ethical UX isn’t just about good intentions - it’s about measurable impact. If your app causes anxiety or guilt when women disengage, it’s time to rethink your approach.

For users: Our UX behavior audits highlight the difference between helpful design and manipulative nudging. Find them at SheRanked.com.

Final Thought: We Don’t Need More Health Apps. We Need Better Ones.

Digital health isn’t neutral. Every design decision reflects a value system - whether it’s clinical accuracy, user privacy, or engagement metrics. And for products that deal with women’s health, the stakes are especially high.

At SheRanked, we’re here to help founders and investors build digital health tools that are trusted, ethical, and clinically sound. We audit apps, consult on product direction, and apply a doctor-led framework to ensure your platform meets real-world medical and ethical standards.

If you’re building or backing a women’s health app, book a free 30-minute strategy call.
Let’s explore where your product stands - and what it would take to raise the bar.

By Dr Christina Davies | Founder, SheRanked | Leading Gold Standard Health App Reviews | High Performance Coach for Female CEOs & Founders | Doctor & Former Military Medical Officer