With a wealth of different sensors built in, theApple Watchcan help women track a range of different health data. As part of Apple’s first-party Health app, Cycle Tracking’s capabilities range from sending an alert when your period is predicted to start to exporting data to share with your doctor.
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Any Apple Watch with WatchOS 6 or later can track menstrual cycles. In fact, you don’t even need an Apple Watch, as you can also log data inside the Health app on an iPhone. However, certain models will offer more functionality than others. The temperature sensors inside the Series 8, Series 9, andUltra smartwatches, for example, can hep predict periods and ovulation. Here’s how to set up and use Cycle Tracking on Apple Watch and iPhone.
Apple stresses thatCycle Tracking is not designed as a form of birth control and should not be used as such, nor can it diagnose any health conditions.
How to set up Cycle Tracking on the Health app
Use your iPhone before you start tracking your cycle from the Apple Watch
Before you may start tracking your menstrual cycle on the Apple Watch, you need to turn on Cycle Tracking and set up the basic information. While you can log and track data from your Apple Watch, you’ll need to set up Cycle Tracking from your iPhone first. Here’s how.
How to log a menstrual cycle from your Apple Watch
Cycles can be tracked from an Apple Watch, iPhone, or iPad
If it’s easier to use a larger screen, you can also log period details on the Health app on an iPhone by going toHealth>Browse>Cycle Tracking. You can also log your period data right from your wrist.
If you have an Apple Watch Series 9 (WatchOS 10.2 or later), you can also use Siri for logging the start of your period.
How to adjust Cycle Tracking notifications
Keep your information up-to-date for the most accurate predictions
Cycle Tracking notifications, as well as what data is tracked, can be adjusted at any time. To access what data is being tracked or disable period notifications:
How to export cycle history for a healthcare provider
Cycle Tracking includes the option to export your data
One of the benefits of using Cycle Tracking is that it eliminates that awkward fumbling to remember the date of your last period when at the OBGYN. You can also export all the data that you log as a PDF to share with a healthcare provider.
Q: Can Apple Watch take my basal body temperature?
Taking your temperature on a regular basis can help predict ovulation by looking for changes. Apple Watch models that havea built-in temperature sensorcan take your basal body temperature for you; this lists includes the Apple Watch Series 8 and later models, as well as all Apple Watch Ultra models. To measure basal body temperature, you’ll need to wear the watch while you sleep. You’ll need to wear the watch for at least five nights in a row to take a baseline temperature. After that point, your Apple Watch can help look for changes if you continue to wear it at night.
Q: Which Apple Watch can track your cycle?
All Apple Watches with watchOS 6 or laterhave the Cycle Tracking app, which means even budget models like the Apple Watch SE can be used to track your period. However, models with a temperature sensor include the Series 8 or later models and all Ultra models also have temperature sensing, which can be used to improve period and fertile window predictions.
