SZTE Student Designs Menstrual Pain-Relief Belt with Support from Startup Program

Nikolett Häger, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Szeged, is working with fellow students Bianka Vivien Gábor and Gergely Krisztián Józan to develop a therapeutic belt that provides immediate relief from menstrual cramps. The project is supported by the Hungarian Startup University Program (HSUP).

The idea had been with Nikolett for years. She noticed that menstrual pain is almost always illustrated the same way: a woman curled up, clutching a pillow to her lower abdomen. Later, while studying the physiological basis of that instinctive gesture in medical school, she realized something striking – despite how widespread the problem is, there are remarkably few products designed to address it.

“The receptors that detect pain and those that respond to touch are both triggered in the spinal cord – essentially in the same location. So, when pressure activates the touch receptors, it can inhibit the pain signals – effectively preventing the sensation from reaching the brain,” says the medical student, explaining the neurological principle that underpins the belt’s design.

The menstrual pain-relief belt is intended to reduce cramping by applying gentle pressure and warmth. Discreet and comfortable, it can be worn at work, in school, or during exercise. Because it uses a natural, non-invasive approach, it comes without side effects – and its effectiveness is backed by scientific research. The device will also be paired with a mobile app that allows users to adjust the temperature and pressure settings. The app will include a menstrual calendar powered by artificial intelligence, which tracks the entire cycle. Users will be able to log symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, monitor potential pregnancies, and receive personalized suggestions based on input like cycle length or reported pain levels. Over time, the AI will be able to provide guidance on when it may be advisable to seek medical advice.

Nikolett first heard about the HSUP-related elective course at SZTE from her partner. It seemed like a great opportunity, though she never expected her proposal to be accepted – or that it would take her all the way to Demo Day, where participants present their prototypes to investors and mentors.

“When my concept was chosen for development, I started looking for teammates through an internal posting platform,” Nikolett recalls. “Bianka studies healthcare management, and Gergely is majoring in international business. I deliberately chose them over the many medical students who applied. With my background, I can take care of the medical side of the project, while Bianka oversees the technical and IT aspects, and Gergely focuses on the business strategy and market research.”

What sets their menstrual pain-relief belt apart from the cheap, mass-produced versions already on the market?

“Ours is an ultra-thin, almost invisible belt,” Nikolett explains. “Most existing products are bulky, box-shaped devices that sit too high to properly target the uterus, so they’re anatomically ineffective. In contrast, our design includes a heating element around the lower back as well – something we added after conducting a user survey in which many participants reported pain in that area, too. And one of our biggest advantages is the integrated mobile app with AI functionality, which makes the entire system smarter and more responsive.”

Nikolett Häger: The menstrual pain-relief belt comes with an integrated mobile app to enhance its functionality.

Photo by Ádám Kovács-Jerney

Although awareness of menstruation remains limited – especially among men – Nikolett was surprised to find that many of the students who expressed interest in joining her team were, in fact, men.

“The menstrual phase typically lasts around five days,” Nikolett begins, walking us through the stages of the menstrual cycle. “What follows is the follicular phase – generally a calmer period in terms of symptoms. Ovulation occurs on day 14, counting back from the first day of the next menstruation, when the egg is released from the ovary and begins its journey through the fallopian tube toward the uterus. The length of the follicular phase can vary depending on the overall cycle, but the luteal phase that follows ovulation is more consistent. Each stage involves complex hormonal shifts, and it’s during the luteal phase that symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) often appear. PMS is caused by the sudden hormonal changes that happen if fertilization doesn’t occur. Some people begin to feel abdominal pain, bloating, or hunger at this point, along with fatigue and heightened emotional sensitivity – though symptoms vary widely from person to person.”

The mobile app for Nikolett’s project is already available, and the menstrual pain-relief belt can now be pre-ordered through the team’s online shop, with the product expected to be completed in early 2026. The team is currently looking to bring a manufacturer and an electrical engineer on board. They have already lined up a strong candidate for the engineering role.

“At the Demo Day event where we showcased the product, we received several offers of support – including help with designing the built-in heating system. Once the prototype is complete, it will still need to undergo testing and regulatory approval. Only after that can the belt be brought to market,” Nikolett says.

In the 2025/26 academic year, the Hungarian Startup University Program (HSUP) course will once again be offered at the University of Szeged – as part of its VIRTUS Career Program. Students can already enroll via the Neptun system.

Original Hungarian text by Helga Balog

Photos by Ádám Kovács-Jerney