A Hunter businesswoman has collaborated with a team of Hunter experts to create what they believe to be the world’s first ever app to educate and empower women to better understand and manage the emotions associated with their menstrual cycle.

The Moon and You app is the brainchild of bookkeeping business  owner Susan Hart, who worked with neuroscientist and University of Newcastle Professor Peter Walla and accredited practising Dietitian, Sally Marchini, to create the app.

Susan said there are a number of apps that help women to track and understand their cycle but these are in relation to fertility.

“This app is unique because it scientifically uses imagery, written content and audio features to tap into conscious and unconscious emotion to bring the user awareness of the emotions they may be experiencing and tools to make good decisions to manage those emotions on a daily basis,” Susan said.

“The sophisticated but easy-to-use app is customised to the user’s actual cycle and each day they are given an opportunity to check in and find out what each day might hold in store for them, physically and emotionally and what things they might do to support themselves during each phase of their cycle.

Features include an emotional/fertility tracker, daily food photo and suggestions, guided meditations, astrological information, imagery and content to educate and inspire.

Susan said the idea for the app came from her experience with IVF programs. She realised she knew next to nothing about the scientific aspect of a woman’s cycle. In seeking answers, she was introduced to meditation, yoga, nutrition, psychology, neuroscience, endocrinology, psychiatry, and chemistry. Her experience and her research and testing of the app confirmed that many women and men do not really understand much about the psychical and emotional aspect of the menstrual cycle.

Professor Walla said the app’s focus on emotional awareness creates a space for the sub-conscious intelligence (heart) to connect with the conscious decision making area (head).

A psychologist, writers, a graphic artist, a photographer, and a social media marketer have also been involved in the project. The team is planning a different app for men to help them to better understand their partner’s cycle and emotions. The app is available for use on both Apple and android devices, via the website.