What should I log besides start/end dates (symptoms, mood, sex, discharge, etc.) so the app is actually useful for cramps/PMS and not just a calendar?
To make your period app actually useful (not just a pink calendar), track symptoms across the whole cycle: flow, pain, mood, energy, sleep, discharge, sex, digestion, headaches, and meds or birth control so you can see patterns, plan around PMS, and bring solid receipts to a provider.
Which tracking apps are actually safe to use—like do they sell my data or share it, and how do I lock down privacy settings?
Some period apps quietly sell or share your cycle data. Look for tools that don’t sell data, offer local or encrypted storage, and let you use a burner identity—then lock things down with strong passwords, no cloud backup, limited permissions, and extra caution if you live somewhere hostile to abortion or reproductive rights.
How do I set up a period tracking app if my cycle is kinda irregular and I’m not trying to get stressed by random predictions?
Use your period tracking app as a diary, not a fortune‑teller. Mute stressful predictions, log what actually happens (bleeding, symptoms, mood, sex, stress), and use the patterns to understand your real cycle range and spot red flags instead of feeling “broken” for being irregular.