A London-based university student has created a menopause cooling device to aid women in managing hot flushes.
The device, known as the Zera Cooling Crescent, was conceived by Aphra Hallam, a student at Brunel University London, who aimed to design a portable, discreet, and diverse wearable that could easily fit inside a handbag and allow women to use it on the go.
The product adheres to the back of the neck and utilises thermoelectric technology to generate a cold sensation and provide immediate relief from hot flushes. Controlled via Bluetooth through an app, the device comes in various skin-coloured tones and can be conveniently used throughout the day.
Hot flushes, a prevalent menopausal symptom, are described as a sudden flare of heat, accompanied by sweating and flushed skin. Despite varying frequency and intensity, some women find them interrupting their daily lives.
Different patterns emerge in terms of when women first experience hot flushes and their duration. However, multiple studies have shown that black and Hispanic women are more likely to experience hot flushes for more years than white and Asian women.
“Symptoms [in black women] can last up to a decade, due to a mix of environmental factors and genetics,” said 22-year-old Hallam.
“As a black woman, I was inspired to create the product to help empower women and reduce the stigma of ageing while being sensitive to the racial disparities in reproductive ageing.”
Hallam’s motivation to create Zera stemmed from observing her mother struggle with hot flushes.
“She’s into natural products, and there weren’t many natural remedies available for hot flushes,” she explained.
“The wrist and neck are the two main points on the body that cool you down quickest, and the other cooling products I saw were similar to bracelets to wear around the wrist.
“My mum isn’t really into wrist jewellery, which is why I wanted to create a cooling device for the neck. Hair and clothes can also be used to cover it up, making it more discreet.”
She added: “The size was also important. The Zera Cooling Crescent is charged in a small case that can be easily carried around.
“When activated by the Zera app, the device produces a cooling sensation that targets the blood vessels in the back of the neck. Its close proximity to the end of the brain stem allows your body to cool down.
“The app also provides additional support and tracking for other menopause symptoms and has a community feature that provides [users with] a support system.”
Hallam hopes the product will become a viable solution for women experiencing hot flushes.
“The menopause is not as widely talked about as it should be, even though it affects such a large proportion of the population. I hope that Zera raises awareness about menopausal symptoms and addresses racial disparities,” she said.
“The Cooling Crescent can be used on the go and will provide a quick and easy solution.”
The Zera Cooling Crescent device was unveiled at the annual Made in Brunel exhibition, which showcased gadgets and devices designed by final-year students from Brunel Design School.
