Shine Bright with Stardust: Your Ultimate Period App
This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s summer editorial intern Jenna Wirtz. Find her on Instagram at @jenna.wirtz. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
While scrolling TikTok a few months ago, I watched a video that informed me that one of the top-period apps is male-owned. People who do not menstruate profiting off of my data and cycle did not sit right with me. So, I downloaded the period app that was promoted as its alternative, Stardust.
Stardust is a female-owned period app that tracks your period cycle along with the moon’s cycle and tells you what phase of your menstrual cycle you are in. Whether or not you are interested in the additional features that the app offers, the seamless design, and user-friendly features are enough to keep you tracking with Stardust. Here is my unfiltered Stardust app review.
The minimalistic rainbow design is aesthetically everything I want in a period app. It is the prettiest app I have ever used to track my period, and like most women, I have gone through a couple. I had yet to find an app that I loved that was a blend of informative, educational and functional. Stardust meets all of these requirements and then some. I have told so many women and girls in my life to download this app because it actually brought value into my life. I especially benefit from the illustration of the different phases in each cycle, so that I can visually see where I am at.
I usually opt out of notifications for my apps, but I kept these on and I am glad I did. They are a mixture of humorous and informative messages sent throughout your day. It might be a reminder that you will feel lower energy because of the phase of your cycle you are in, or just an encouraging reminder that you are doing a great job.
As I was looking for a new period app, I was curious about the four phases of our cycle: menstruation, ovulation, follicular and luteal. I knew mostly about menstruation and ovulation, but not the other two phases. Stardust shows the user what phase they are in, and the notifications that coincide with it help remind you to give yourself grace. There are certain times during the 28-day menstrual cycle when women physically have less strength and energy. Stardust has helped me locate those times, and maximize my rest when needed. Along with maximizing my productivity on the days when I have additional energy.
Functionally, this app works similarly to other period apps with a few additional features. You are able to log your period’s duration on a calendar and log each day the variety of symptoms you are experiencing. There is a tab that tracks your cycle alongside the phases of the moon, indicating how the two may be linked. Along with that, there is a tab to share your cycle with a friend, meaning you can both track and see where each other is at!
Having a period is a challenge on its own. No matter how many periods you have had, it seems like each one can bring its own unique challenges and discomforts. Stardust helps empower its users with education so that users can learn more about themselves and their cycle each month.
What is your favorite period app? Do you have a different Stardust app review? Let us know in the comments below.