We’ve introduced a body mass index (BMI) calculator into the Clue app to give people another way to understand patterns in their health over time. You can find it in the More Menu, under the health profile section.
BMI is a screening tool that estimates body size using height and weight. Research suggests that body size may influence menstrual cycle experiences. People with higher or lower BMIs may be more likely to experience differences in cycle length, ovulation, or menstrual symptoms. However, many factors affect the menstrual cycle, and BMI alone cannot predict what a cycle will look like.
Our intention is for BMI to be one piece of information among many. By viewing BMI alongside weight, cycle patterns, and symptoms, people may be able to notice changes over time and better understand what is typical for their body.
The BMI calculator is part of our exploration into features related to metabolic health. Metabolic health describes how well the body processes and uses energy and includes factors such as blood sugar, blood fats, blood pressure, and body composition. Metabolic health and reproductive health are closely connected: nutrition, body weight, hormone regulation, and conditions such as polyendocrine metabolic syndrome (PMOS, formerly PCOS) can all influence both.
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BMI has important limitations. It does not directly measure body fat or overall health and does not account for factors such as muscle mass, body composition, age, sex, ethnicity, disability, or pregnancy. It’s best understood alongside other health information rather than on its own.