Womanaid
Guiding women on their PCOS journey
Womanaid is a mobile application designed to educate, support, and create a community for women, making the management and understanding of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) easier. The app aims to simplify the PCOS journey by providing resources and a supportive space for women.
BACKGROUND
What problem am I trying to solve?
Lack of effective and personalized treatment options for women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
This condition not only impairs reproductive health and elevates the risk of chronic illnesses but also impacts mental health and overall quality of life.
INITIAL RESEARCH
Understanding PCOS
❗️
Presence of small ovarian follicles
⚦
Elevated levels of male hormones
🩸
Irregular mentrual periods
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age, characterized by:
Symptoms:
Irregular periods, Hirutism, Acne or Oily Skin, Weight Gain, Infertility Issues
Other health issues:
Increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular issues, Endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.
PCOS doesn't look same for everyone!
And there is no cure for PCOS, but the symptoms can be managed.
Why is the problem important?
8-13%
women worldwide of reproductive age are affected, making it a common endocrine disorder.
Source: World Health Organization
70%
affected women remain
undiagnosed worldwide.
Source: World Health Organization
3x
increased likelihood of anxiety and depression diagnoses in women with PCOS compared to those without.
Source: HelloClue
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHOD
Interviews
In order to empathise and understand the challenges faced by women with PCOS, we conducted eight user interviews with women across different regions of the country and abroad.
What the women had to say?
"I didn't even know what PCOS was until I was diagnosed with it. It's not something that's talked about enough."
"I wish there were more resources available for me to help me manage my symptoms."
"The acne and excess hair growth caused by PCOS have really impacted my self-confidence.I feel isolated as I don't know anyone in my circle who shares these challenges and understands what I'm going through."
Key Insights
Diagnostic Delays
A large proportion of the women experienced a significant delay in diagnosis, with approximately 34% waiting more than 2 years.
Information Deficiency
66% of women were dissatisfied with the information provided about PCOS at the time of diagnosis and many did not receive any information about lifestyle management.
Self-Help Necessity
Interviews indicated women with PCOS self-educate and seek peer support for lack of dedicated platforms to discuss their condition and mental health.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we design a solution to spread awareness about PCOS and help women get the support and information to manage it?
Whose problem am I solving?
TARGET AUDIENCE
🙋🏻♀️
Women of reproductive age
15 years - 49 years old
Affinity Mapping
Key Insights
Holistic Approach Needed
To include mental health support, lifestyle adjustments, and community building.
Importance of Awareness
Not just for timely diagnosis but also for breaking down stigma.
Need for resources
To provide credible information to understand the condition and educate themselves.
MOSCOW Chart
The MOSCOW chart helped to prioritize critical features, planning tasks based on importance, and defining next steps after essential features were addressed.
Problem/ Opportunity spaces
#1
Lack of Awareness about PCOS
The issue of limited awareness contributes to delayed diagnosis and subsequent health complications. I aim to create a solution that enhances public understanding of the condition, empowering individuals to educate themselves and, if necessary, take appropriate action.
#2
Overlooked Educational Aspect
I want to create a solution that educates women with credible information from healthcare professionals on managing symptoms, lifestyle and dietary changes, specific to PCOS.
#3
Inadequate Support and Community Features
I want to provide space for women with PCOS to connect, share their experiences, and receive mutual support and advice.
USER FLOW
LOF-FI SKETCHES
USABILITY TESTING
Key Insights and Learnings
Validating design direction & identifying opportunities for enhancements.
Process
We recruited participants within the age range of 8-12 women who either have PCOS or suspect they might have it.
Methodology
Cognitive walkthrough
System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire
Tasks Evaluated
Task 1: Complete the Symptom Detection Survey and review the categorized risk results.
Task 2: Navigate to the Community Feature, participate in a discussion, and post a comment or question.
Results
Cognitive Walkthrough Findings
Problem 1: Most participants found the survey straightforward but noted that some questions were unclear or overly complex.
Solution: Users appreciated the categorized risk results but wanted more detailed explanations of each risk level.
Problem 2: Participants found the community feature engaging but experienced difficulties navigating to specific discussion threads.
Feedback: Users valued the sense of support but suggested improving the moderation and categorization of posts.
System Usability Scale:
The score was 72
Participants found the app straightforward and intuitive to use.
Scores were consistently high, indicating satisfactory usability.
Questionnaire for symptom detection
The Symptom Detection Survey in Woman Aid is specifically designed for women who are uncertain about having PCOS, helping them recognize potential symptoms and providing a preliminary assessment of their condition with categorized results as low, moderate, or high risk.
PCOS Community Hub
The Community Feature in Woman Aid offers a supportive space for users to connect, share experiences, and find support, fostering a sense of belonging among women dealing with PCOS.
Mind & Wellness
The Mind & Wellness in Woman Aid features mental health resources, mood tracking, a personal journaling tool, and wellness podcasts, specifically designed to support the emotional well-being of women with PCOS.
PCOS Information Hub
A key feature in Woman Aid, providing users with a curated selection of blogs, articles, and videos, all focused on delivering comprehensive, tailored information about PCOS to enhance understanding and management.
TAKEAWAYS
Things that I learned
Value of Empathy
Being my first interviewing experience, it taught me the value of empathy in UX design and the art of listening. Dealing with sensitive topics like health conditions, required a conversational approach in interviews, allowing me to better empathize with participants and appreciate that each interview offered a unique perspective.
Next steps
For the next iteration, I would to add an expert consultation section in the app, allowing users to directly manage their PCOS with professional advice and personalized treatment guidance.
Consistency is important for lifestyle changes, so a habit tracker could be a good addition.