Hormone Harmony

Empowering women with PCOS to manage their health in one place

UX/UI Designer 4 Weeks Figma

This case study presents the design of a mobile app aimed at empowering women with PCOS. The app offers period tracking, tools to manage symptoms, track treatments, and access educational resources. It also builds a supportive community for women to connect, share experiences, and learn about PCOS and overall gynecological health.

Role
UX Designer
UX Researcher
UI Designer

Team
Solo

Tool
Design Tools
User Research Tools

Duration
4 Weeks

Background

Polycystic ovary (ovarian) syndrome (PCOS), the most common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, is a lifelong health condition characterized by abnormal androgen production in the ovaries. The exact cause remains unknown, but it's linked to factors like insulin resistance and hormone imbalances. Women with PCOS experience symptoms like irregular periods, acne, hair loss, weight gain, and even depression.

Context

Diagnosed with PCOS six years ago, I've personally experienced its impact on both physical and mental health. Witnessing similar struggles in friends and the lack of effective management options from doctors fueled my desire to understand PCOS better. This case study investigates user experiences with PCOS to highlight the need for improved understanding and management of this prevalent condition.

User Research

The user research was done to understand the needs and challenges of women with PCOS. Research methods, User demographics, and findings helped gather relevant insights.

Research Methods: To gain a deeper understanding of symptom management, health awareness, and overall knowledge, User Interviews and Surveys were conducted interviews with women diagnosed with PCOS. These interviews explored how they track symptoms, their perception of PCOS's impact on their mental and physical well-being, and their existing knowledge about the condition.
User Demographics: While focusing on various ages to capture the diverse experiences of women living with the PCOS condition. The participants relied on pen and paper calendars, keeping notes on their phones, or primary period tracking apps to manage their period dates and symptoms.

Target User Group: Women with PCOS

Age Range: 22-35
Research Findings: User research focused on uncovering women's challenges in managing the symptoms and their existing knowledge about the condition. Explored their preferred learning styles for educational resources within the app and the emotional impact of PCOS. This aimed to identify mobile app features that could address feelings of isolation and empower users through knowledge and support.

Problem statement

PCOS can be a daily burden for women, causing frustration due to the difficulty of managing symptoms coupled with a lack of knowledge about PCOS and women's gynecological health. Current solutions might lack user-friendliness or fail to comprehensively address the various challenges women with PCOS experience.

Women with PCOS lack user-friendly and comprehensive tools to manage their symptoms, track treatments, and access to reliable information. This results in feelings of isolation, frustration, and difficulty effectively managing their condition.

User Interview and Survey

To gain in-depth user insights, below questions were asked to explore participants' experiences with PCOS. Below are few of those questions:

Please tell me a little about yourself, your age, and your health background.
Are you currently taking any medication(s), or have you ever been treated for PCOS?
How difficult is it for you to manage your PCOS symptoms daily?
Which symptoms do you experience most frequently?
What areas would you like to learn more about regarding PCOS?
How has living with PCOS affected your emotional well-being?
How knowledgeable would you say you are about PCOS?

Insights from the Survey

Sketching the Solutions

Insights from personas and surveys played a crucial role in shaping the solution. By delving into the pain points and challenges faced by participants, the following sketches emerged as potential solutions that address their specific requirements.

These mockups showcase a solution and highlight the specific functionalities centered around a Personalized Tracking Dashboard. This user-friendly interface empowers users to:

Track Periods

Monitor menstrual cycles and identify potential patterns.

Log Symptoms

Track and record their PCOS symptoms for better self-awareness and management.

Log Daily Progress

Monitor improvements and setbacks to stay motivated on their PCOS journey.

Find the Right Doctor

Access a searchable directory of qualified healthcare professionals specializing in PCOS.

Expert-Verified Resources

Explore a library of reliable information curated by healthcare professionals.

Connect with an Online Community

Join a supportive space to connect with others managing PCOS.

Visual Guide

Visual Design and User Flow

Interactive Prototype

This high-fidelity prototype, designed in Figma, allows users to experience the core functionalities of the PCOS community platform. This interactive prototype allows users to explore the PCOS management app's features and user interface. It showcases the app's intuitive design, making it easy for users with PCOS to track symptoms, access resources, and connect with a supportive community.

Takeaway

This case study pushed my design thinking across the board. As a UX designer, I learned to prioritize user needs and conduct thorough research to understand the challenges and goals of people with PCOS. From a UX research perspective, the importance of uncovering the emotional experiences of living with the condition became clear. As a UI designer, I saw firsthand the importance of clean interfaces prioritizing ease of use. The most valuable takeaway, though, is the power of collaboration.