COMING SOON: Reframing the Narrative for Health and Performance in Female Athletes. LEARN MORE (McNulty, K.L., Taim, B.C., Freemas, J.A., Hassan, A., Lupton-Brantner, C., Oleka, C.T., Scott, D., Howatson, G., Moore, I.S., Yung, K.K., Hicks, K.M., Whalan, M., Lovell, R., Moore, S.R., Russell, S., Smith-Ryan, A.E., & Bruinvels, G. (2024). Research across the female lifecycle: Reframing the narrative for health and performance in athletic females and showcasing solutions to drive advancements in research and translation. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal. Accepted July 2024.)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create an account?

Interested in creating a KIH app account? It’s easy and straightforward! Just follow these steps:

  • Download the KIH app onto your device from the Apple App Store or Android Play Store
  • Open the KIH app
  • Tap ‘Get started’
  • Answer some questions to help us personalize the app to your needs.
  • Sign up with your email address
  • You should receive a verification email. Follow the steps in the email to verify your account
  • You’re now ready to start using the KIH app!

How do I reset my password?

If you’re signed out of your account and need to reset your password, follow these steps:

  • On the Login screen, select ‘Forgot Password?’
  • Enter the email used to create your account
  • You should receive a verification email. Follow the steps in the email to verify your account
  • Enter your new password

If you’re signed into your account and need to change your password, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to settings
  • Under account, select, ‘Manage Password’
  • Enter your email to be sent an email verification code
  • Once you have received and entered the verification code, you can enter the new password for your account

How do I delete my account?

If you would like to delete your KIH account, you can do so through the KIH app. Deleting your account will also delete all of your data. This process is irreversible, and you will not be able to get your logged data back.

To delete your account, follow these steps:

  • Open your KIH app
  • Navigate to settings
  • Under account, select ‘Delete Account’

How do I log out of my account?

To log out of your account, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to settings
  • Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page and select ‘Log out of Kynisca’

How do I connect my Oura ring to the KIH app?

To connect your Oura ring with the KIH app, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to Settings
  • Under Account, select ‘Connected Devices’
  • Select ‘Connect’
  • Sign into your Oura account and confirm you would like to share your Oura data with KIH
  • Your Oura ring will now be connected to the KIH app

How do I change my measurement units?

To change your measurement units, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to settings
  • Click on your profile, which is where your email address is presented
  • Click on ‘Units’
  • Change the units available to fit your preferences

How do I change my reproductive status?

Your reproductive status helps us understand your hormonal profile. For example, if you use hormonal contraception, are pregnant, or are perimenopausal, your hormones function differently compared to someone with a regular natural menstrual cycle. By updating your reproductive status, we can provide you with a more personalized app experience.

To update your reproductive status, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to settings
  • Click on your profile, which is where your email address is presented
  • Click on reproductive status
  • Select your updated reproductive status

How do I log and edit my menstrual cycle and symptoms

You can log and edit your periods in two ways

  • From the home screen
  • From the calendar

From the home screen

  • Use the scrolling calendar timeline at the top of the home screen to select the day you would like to log for
  • Click the ‘Log cycle’ button
  • Enter your bleed flow, spotting, discharge and any symptoms
  • If you would like to edit these logs, select the ‘cycle summary’ button on the home screen and click the edit pencil next to your logged data summary

From the calendar

  • Select the calendar icon in the top right corner of the home screen
  • Select ‘Edit period’
  • Select the day you would like to log for or alter
  • Enter your bleed flow, spotting, discharge and any symptoms and press save

How are my cycle predictions calculated?

Period predictions

Your period predictions are based on the first day of your last period and the average length of your three most recent cycles. This method ensures predictions are aligned with your latest cycle patterns. The formula we use is:

Next period date = first day of last period + average cycle length

It can be normal for your cycle length to vary by up to 7 days from cycle to cycle. Therefore, we provide a 3-day buffer before and after your predicted period date to account for this natural variation. You should therefore see a 7-day predictive window for when your period is going to start, which is represented by the dotted orange lines.

Ovulation window predictions

Your ovulation window is a 3-day estimation of when you might ovulate. It is based off your average cycle length minus 13-15 days. It is represented by the dotted purple lines.

Please note, this is a predictive measure and does not confirm ovulation.

Why can’t I see my cycle predictions?

If you’re unable to see your cycle predictions, it might be due to one of the following reasons:

Insufficient data

You might need to enter more cycle data. Predictions require data from at least three recent cycles.

Cycle length

If your average cycle length is outside the typical 21-35 day range, it can be challenging to make accurate predictions. We’re actively researching menstrual cycle lengths, so keep logging to help us find out more!

Reproductive status

If you’ve selected that you’re in one of the following reproductive statuses – hormonal contraception, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, or postmenopause – we’re still working on a personalized experience for you. Accurate predictions are not available at this time and will not apply to your current reproductive status.

How do I create logging reminders

You can maximize your KIH app experience by logging your health data daily. If you need a little help remembering, you can set up daily and weekly reminders. Here’s how:

  • Navigate to settings
  • Under Account click on ‘Notifications’
  • Select if you would like to receive daily or weekly notifications.

Research

  • Low touch study

What is the purpose of this study?

This research study will investigate the variability in menstrual cycle characteristics among physically active individuals with female physiology. We will explore the relationship between the menstrual cycle and self-reported wellbeing (e.g., mood, stress), injury and illness, sleep duration and quality, and resting heart rate. By examining the interactions between female health, hormonal profiles, physical activity, and overall wellness, our goal is to enhance evidence-based practices and support for active women.

Who can participate in this study?

To participate in our study, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Biologically female and have female reproductive organs.
  • Have had your first period
  • Aged 16+
  • Currently live in any of the following countries:
    • USA
    • All European nations
    • South Africa
    • New Zealand
    • Australia
    • Canada
  • Be willing to regularly log your female health data in the KIH app

What are the benefits of participating in this study?

  • Contribute to bridging the gender research gap

Contribute to addressing the gender imbalance in sports science research. Your data will help researchers advance the understanding of female health patterns and contribute to the expansion of female health research. This will help support the development of practices and advice tailored to female physiology.

  • Get to know your unique physiology better

Everyone is different, so it is important to understand your body and what works for you. Track all your key health data in one place, enabling you to visualize trends and patterns over time, gaining deeper insights into your physiology.

How can I participate in this study?

To download and use the KIH app, you must provide voluntary informed consent for your anonymized data to be used in this research study. To participate, you will simply need to use the app to log the following:

  • Complete a brief onboarding survey about your current female health status.
  • Log the following daily measures (~3 min per day):
  • Female health: details about uterine bleeding and spotting, discharge, and any symptoms you experience.
  • Injury and illness: if you have experienced an injury or illness, you will be asked to provide some basic information on this, including the body its effect on your ability to exercise.
  • Physical activity: report the type of exercise you perform, as well as the duration and intensity.
  • Wellness: answer on a sliding scale how you rate your mood, sleep quality, stress, muscle soreness, fatigue, and perceived readiness to perform.
  • Sleep logging: your sleep and wake up time, including any naps, any sleep disruptions, and your resting heart rate.

You will also have the option to sync a wearable device that collects some of this data automatically and syncs with the app. Currently, we support Oura rings, and we are actively expanding to include more devices.

Can I withdraw from this study?

Yes, you can withdraw from the study at any time by emailing us at support@kyniscainnovationhub.com.