Sara™ is a Progressive Web App (PWA), meaning you sign up for this tool through your internet browser rather than downloading from an app store. We didn’t make this decision lightly: like everything we do at Comma, your privacy and security were top of mind.

Period tracking apps deal with deeply personal data—information that many individuals might hesitate to share or store, particularly in regions where privacy concerns are heightened. Apps downloaded from an App Store share the when, how, and where you use apps—called the metadata—with the App Store. These metadata can be bought and sold, and they often are—this is another reason why we decided to keep Sara out of the app store.

A PWA like Sara™, on the other hand, allows for private browsing—and there are no metadata to share. In an age where data privacy is critical, we want to champion your right to track your period without the threat of surveillance.

In short, we built Sara™ as a PWA for many technical reasons—but most important, it’s our commitment to your empowerment, privacy, and inclusivity. It ensures that every individual, regardless of their device or circumstances, has access to a secure, private, and seamless way to disrupt the low standards of period care.

Sara™ is the most secure cycle tracking app out there. By looking to the same standards applicable to hospitals and protected healthcare information, Comma holds itself accountable to the highest measures of privacy and security. We benchmark with HIPAA, so if and only if you ask us, your data can be shared with healthcare providers, like your OB-GYN. By showing you patterns and concerns in your data, you can be ready to take action in your reproductive health. Unlike many trackers, Sara™ puts you in control of your data, allowing you to decide who has access to your health insights. We will never, ever sell your data. If you’re ever concerned about your data, you can delete your data completely with our safety switch. We’re committed to reproductive freedom, and Sara™ empowers you to make more of your period, all while prioritizing your security.

For too long, our data and digital footprint have been out of our control. Comma is committed to disrupting this trend. Security and privacy are fundamental to our mission because we understand that your menstrual health data are deeply personal and deserve to be protected. That’s why we designed Sara™ to benchmark with HIPAA, ensuring that your information stays secure and private, meeting the highest standards of healthcare privacy. 

With Sara™, your data are fully under your control. We don’t sell or share your information with third parties without your explicit consent. You decide who has access to your health insights. Other period trackers promise privacy (which is a great first step!), but Comma takes this commitment into the realm of the highest industry security protocols including encryption, security groups, safety switches, and more. At Comma, we truly believe in transparency and trust—your data, your terms.

Learn more about our security practices and policies here: https://yourcomma.com/pages/security.

Absolutely not! At Comma, we prioritize your privacy and data security above all else. We believe that your menstrual health data are just that: health care information that should remain in your control. Sara™ is designed to give you complete ownership of your information. We do not sell, share, or trade your data with any third parties without your explicit consent. Transparency and trust are core values for us, so you can feel confident that your health insights are safe and secure with us. Your data are yours, and we’re committed to protecting them.

Comma is your period partner, and we’re here to help. That said, we are not currently a healthcare provider: we are not a substitute for your doctor or care team. As such, we ask that you refrain from sharing any personal or sensitive information in email communication as it’s extremely important to us that your healthcare information stays confidential and secure. Instead, log that information in Sara™, our secure application for reproductive autonomy. For issues with Sara™’s technology, please contact help@yourcomma.com. If you have ideas about how Sara™ can be better, please reach out to feedback@yourcomma.com. 

Our tampon bioapplicators are made of compostable plant-based bioresin: they look and feel like forever plastic, but break down at a much faster rate. The tampons themselves are made of 100% organic cotton. You can sign up for our biodegradable tampon waitlist soon. We're also piloting new materials that are even more sustainable. Learn more about participating in product piloting here.

We’ve spent centuries feeling ashamed about periods. Not only is menstruation normal, it’s also totally remarkable. Scientists are learning that menstrual blood is full of material that can one day replace a pap smear. Comma is leading the charge in menstrual diagnostics in our upcoming pilot of our laboratory send-back service. Comma’s service is different because, with Sara™, these lab data will be stored with the utmost dedication to privacy and security. Lab results will be shared through Sara™, which looks to HIPAA and treats your data as protected healthcare information, and can link you to healthcare providers who can help if your lab results come back with concerns.

You can easily pause or cancel your subscription by logging onto your account and selecting cancel or pause by your current subscription. If you have any further questions or need assistance, you can reach out to us on our contact page.

Comma is built with social and environmental justice at its core. Our tenets of agency, security, sustainability, and innovation guide everything we do. We believe in a world in which over half of the population has good information about their bodies, something actionable to do with it, and products that fit their values—all under one roof. Further, Comma is a social enterprise: for every dollar we make, we contribute a portion to our sister non-profit that funds menstrual and reproductive health work around the world. From our data security to our manufacturing practices, we’re here to make the world Better, Period.

Here are some guidelines to help you safely use a tampon:

• Make sure to wash your hands before and after using a tampon.

• Read and follow all instructions for the particular tampon you are using.

• Per FDA guidelines, change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours. Never use a tampon more than once.

• If you are experiencing pain, fever, or any other symptoms associated with using a tampon, contact your health care provider.

• Learn the signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and ways you can reduce your risk. If you experience any symptoms of TSS you should seek medical assistance immediately.

  Symptoms of TSS include:

  • Sudden fever

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Fainting or feeling faint

  • Dizziness

  • A sunburn-like rash

  Ways to reduce your risk of TSS include:

  • Wear your tampon for no longer than 8 hours.

  • Wear the lowest absorbency tampon you can.

  • Use tampons only while on your period.

For more information regarding the safety of tampons, you can visit the FDA's website or talk to your doctor.

We’re always iterating and innovating at Comma. From a safe pregnancy tracker to other menstrual products, we’d love to hear what your priorities are. Reach out here. Stay in touch with us and see our sustainable period product recommendations on our blog.