My Endo

Figma Wireframe
Database Example
Database Example

Inspiration

1 in 10 women in their reproductive years experience endometriosis, a challenging and often painful condition that occurs when cells similar to the uterine lining grow outside the uterus. This translates to over 176 million women worldwide. The cost of living with endometriosis is substantial, over $12,000 a year, according to the National Institute of Health, not only in terms of healthcare expenses but also in the loss of productivity and the profound effect it can have on a person's quality of life.

Beyond the statistics, our motivation is personal. We know individuals who live with endometriosis. Seeing their daily struggles, their battles with pain and discomfort, and the significant impact it has on their lives, careers, and relationships, drives our commitment. We've witnessed firsthand how endometriosis can be misunderstood and underrepresented in discussions about women's health, a space that's finally gaining the recognition it needs in both funding and innovation.

Our project aims to shed light on this condition, provide a supportive community, and offer practical tools and resources. Through user interviews and in-depth research, we have learned that conscious nutrition choices can greatly alleviate symptoms, and in some cases, eliminate them entirely. We believe that by providing a platform for meal planning and community support, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by endometriosis.

What it does

Health log: We offer a comprehensive health and symptoms log tailored specifically for individuals managing endometriosis. Users can easily track their menstrual cycle, including cycle length, flow intensity, and associated symptoms such as fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and more. The app also allows users to log their medication intake, including prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter remedies. This feature assists users in maintaining a detailed record of their health and symptoms, enabling better communication with healthcare providers and facilitating personalized treatment plans.

Food log: The food and meals log allows women with endometriosis to keep track of their daily eating habits, as well as, save recipes for previous meals that worked for them. It provides an easy way for women to manage their diet. Our log allows users to manually enter a recipe’s cooking instructions, ingredients, and descriptions. Users can also select food they’ve eaten throughout the day, as well as, enter new foods they’ve eaten. This information is shown on the home page of a certain day.

Daily AI assistant recommendation: Using the Together API for AI agents, we provide recommendations based on data from past logs. This integration is crucial for providing personalized assistance and support to our users, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the app.

Community forums and expert resources: Crowdsourced bank of endometriosis-friendly recipes, straight from the community and categorized by nutritional restrictions/needs (ie. Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, etc.): Users can upload and share their favorite recipes that they regularly rely on and trust to help them navigate the tricky nature of an endometriosis diet. No more scouring the web and Reddit - MyEndo has them all in one place, with direct testimony from the recipe contributor themselves that can guide users in picking out recipes.

How we built it

Figma mockup
Built React Native front-end
Added Supabase back-end
Implemented Together API for AI Agent
Connecting navigation screens using Expo Router
Adding additional features (horizontal and vertical scroll, searching through database, creating custom recipes)

Challenges we ran into

One of our primary challenges was setting up and passing information through screens on the database. We experienced difficulties adding and retrieving information from Supabase, and developing a thorough backend.

Another significant challenge was working with the Together API for the AI Agent. Integrating this advanced technology into our app required a deep understanding of the API's intricacies. We had to navigate through a learning curve to effectively utilize its features for personalized user interactions and data processing.

What we learned

Working extensively with React Native allowed us to deepen our knowledge of user interface design and development within this framework, learning how to prototype and build quickly. We honed our skills in creating intuitive, responsive, and aesthetically pleasing UI elements. This experience has greatly enhanced our ability to develop user-centric applications that are both functional and engaging.

Furthermore, developing a database specifically for storing and searching through recipes presented unique challenges. We learned about structuring data effectively, implementing search features, and querying the data. This aspect of our project improved our understanding of database management and optimization techniques.

Finally, this was our first experience integrating an AI model into React, and we learned about authentication and data handling. This process taught us how to effectively incorporate advanced AI functionalities into our app, providing a personalized and enhanced user experience.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of building the entire app using React Native, without relying on FlutterFlow or other low-code platforms. This approach allowed us greater control and customization. We're also proud of our UI and UX, where we focused on creating an engaging and easy-to-navigate experience that resonates with our users.

We successfully overcame the initial challenges with building a Supabase database and storage system for our app, resulting in a robust and efficient backend. This has been pivotal in ensuring the app functions smoothly.

Perhaps what we are most proud of is the potential social impact of our app. We believe that by providing a first-of-its-kind dedicated platform for people affected by endometriosis, we can make a real difference in their lives. Our app offers practical tools and resources and fosters a sense of community and support, which is invaluable for those experiencing this condition.

What's next for My Endo

Our primary focus remains on making "My Endo" increasingly functional and user-friendly. We plan to develop a user login flow and profile page to allow users to track their information over time.

A significant upcoming feature is the introduction of a calendar view. This will allow users to track their symptoms, diet, and other relevant health parameters over time. By doing so, they can gain more detailed insights into their health patterns, understanding how different factors interplay and affect their condition. This feature is aimed at empowering users with actionable data to manage their endometriosis more effectively.

Recognizing the importance of professional medical support, we plan to integrate a feature that connects users with healthcare providers and professional nutritionists. This integration will facilitate easier access to specialists, allowing users to seek advice, schedule appointments, and receive medical care as needed.