Flo is now FSA/HSA eligible
Published: 10 Dec 2025
Perimenopause can present with a broad spectrum of symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms, sleep disruption, mood variability, and cognitive complaints, that can significantly affect quality of life. Although these symptoms are common, many women and people who menstruate struggle to recognize them as part of perimenopause and delay seeking care as a result.
A persistent gap in accessible, reliable education means patients often arrive in the exam room with a limited understanding of their symptoms or when they should seek care. This can make consultations less efficient, as clinicians usually need to spend time clarifying symptom history, addressing common misconceptions, and establishing the context necessary for accurate assessment and management.1
Digital health tools are beginning to address these challenges by enabling structured symptom tracking, improving patient health literacy, and supporting clinicians with clearer longitudinal data. When used in conjunction with clinical assessment, these tools can help streamline consultations and support more personalized, evidence-based care.
The need for accurate perimenopause information
One of the most consistent challenges in perimenopause care is the lack of access to accurate and comprehensible information. Many women and people who menstruate do not initially recognize their symptoms as part of perimenopause or understand what may worsen or improve them. As Dr. Sameena Rahman, Flo experts board member and clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Illinois, US, explains, “Many people do not realize their experiences and symptoms are part of the perimenopausal transition. They often don’t understand what might improve or worsen their symptoms, and what tools are available to help them.” This lack of knowledge can leave women feeling lost or frustrated as they struggle to navigate this phase of life.
A study published in Menopause found that despite experiencing bothersome hot flashes, approximately 50% of women delay seeking medical advice for more than six months.2 This highlights persistent uncertainty about whether symptoms warrant clinical attention, limited awareness of available management options, and difficulty in identifying where to seek appropriate support. As a result, many patients attempt to manage symptoms alone or postpone engaging with healthcare services, even when their symptoms have a meaningful impact on daily life.
Patients also report difficulty finding healthcare professionals who recognize the breadth of perimenopausal symptoms and can offer nuanced, tailored care. “There is a gap in care for women in perimenopause,” Dr. Rahman adds. “Digital health platforms help fill this gap by providing accessible resources, although it’s important to note that they don’t always replace the need for personalized care.” Perimenopausal women today are significantly more likely than postmenopausal women to use online resources for menopause information.3
How digital health tools can help address these challenges
Digital health solutions offer patients a cost-effective way to track their menstrual cycles and symptoms, providing access to accurate information and promoting patient engagement. Enhancing communication between patients and healthcare professionals supports personalized care.4 Cycle and symptom tracking are particularly powerful in understanding the fluctuations that occur during perimenopause. By closely monitoring their symptoms, patients gain valuable insights into how diet, stress, and medication may impact their health.
The transition into perimenopause usually starts with changes in menstrual cycle patterns.5 This really emphasizes the importance of tracking cycles and recognizing changes, making it easier to know when patients might need to consult a healthcare professional while navigating the journey through perimenopause. Monitoring cycles and symptoms can be helpful for healthcare professionals as well. If necessary, this information can also help patients initiate appropriate treatments.
Dr. Rahman emphasizes the importance of symptom tracking: “Tracking your symptoms and your cycle is paramount to getting personalized care and being in tune with your body. Sometimes, we unravel symptoms that seem related to other conditions, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), that are cycle-dependent [...] providing valuable data to support the management of perimenopause.”
Just last year, Flo conducted a groundbreaking study involving 19 million users aged 18 to 55, marking it as one of the largest studies of its kind.6 The findings highlight how menstrual cycles and symptoms evolve with age, underlining the pivotal role of tracking in improving perimenopause care. The research showed that both cycle length and variability increase with age, and several symptoms follow distinct trajectories across the reproductive lifespan. These population-level patterns demonstrate how tracking can help patients and healthcare professionals recognize emerging changes that may signal the perimenopausal transition.
Liudmila Zhaunova, PhD, Flo’s director of science, emphasizes the importance of symptom tracking in offering women a clearer understanding of the changes occurring in their bodies. “In today’s busy world, it’s unrealistic to expect women to remember granular details about their cycles and symptoms over long periods of time. By using a tracking app, they can enter their information and review it at any time. If they see noticeable shifts, or if their app notifies them of changes in their regular patterns, they can take this information to their doctor to support joint decisions about their perimenopause journey.”
The power of patient education in perimenopause care
Education plays a vital role in equipping women and people who menstruate to navigate their perimenopause. When patients are informed about the changes occurring in their bodies, they are better equipped to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions about their care.
“My goal is to educate so women can advocate for themselves,” explains Dr. Rahman. “Accurate, evidence-based information helps them make better decisions about managing their health.”
Digital platforms can support obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYNs) by providing women with credible information on perimenopause, its symptoms, and management options.
“Flo helps educate a large population of women, enabling them to understand the hormonal changes they are going through,” says Dr. Rahman. “The more information a woman has, the better the doctor-patient relationship will be.”
Flo’s commitment to patient education is further strengthened by its emphasis on ongoing research, as noted by Zhaunova, “We have a program of research that investigates perimenopause, focusing on symptoms, treatments, and outcomes for women,” she says. “Our recent study, published in npj Women’s Health, examined symptoms in women aged 30 to 56+ and highlighted important insights. For instance, psychological symptoms like anxiety and irritability peak in women aged 41 to 45, while classic symptoms such as hot flashes are more prominent in older women.7 This knowledge is crucial for healthcare professionals to consider when tailoring treatment options.”
Enhancing personalized care with Flo
Flo’s capabilities extend beyond symptom tracking to support personalized care. By providing a comprehensive view of a user’s last six cycles and symptoms, Flo allows healthcare professionals to offer more individualized care plans.“Perimenopausal care is not one-size-fits-all, and Flo’s tools help personalize each woman’s journey,” says Dr. Rahman.
For OB-GYNs looking to integrate digital health solutions into their practice, Dr. Rahman advises, “Don’t be afraid of patients educating themselves about their bodies. It makes managing their care easier. Encourage symptom and cycle tracking, as the more information you have, the better the experience for both doctor and patient.”
A new era in perimenopause management
Perimenopause presents a complex and often misunderstood set of challenges. Lack of education for patients and their healthcare professionals is causing patients in perimenopause navigate this important stage in their lives without adequate knowledge or appropriate medical care.8
Digital health tools are helping to bridge the gap, empowering women and people who menstruate with the information, support, and resources they need to navigate this transitional phase. By combining symptom tracking and patient education, they hold the potential to transform how healthcare professionals manage perimenopause, helping ensure that patients receive the care and attention they deserve during this critical stage of life.
As Flo continues its commitment to advancing research and improving female health, the future of perimenopause care looks brighter, more informed, and more individualized. For OB-GYNs and other healthcare professionals, embracing digital health tools is a crucial step toward delivering better, more effective care for perimenopausal patients.
Looking to improve patient engagement and outcomes? Explore how Flo, the #1 female health app, can support your patients and practice at Flo for Healthcare Professionals.
