Belle Health: Digital therapy for premenstrual symptoms - evidence-based and effective

Premenstrual symptoms such as PMS or severe PMDD affect millions of women - but the gap in care is enormous. It often takes years for sufferers to get the right help. The digital health startup Belle Health is changing this: with an evidence-based self-help app that offers cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle strategies specifically for the premenstrual phase.

In an interview with Victoria Schöffel, co-founder and CEO, we find out why Belle not only helps thousands of women, but is also a promising solution for health insurance companies and insurers. The founder also reveals how the 5-HT event “Insuring Digital Health” brought crucial contacts - and why PMS/PMDD must finally be brought out of the taboo.

Rafael Schaider, Co-Founder & CTO, and Victoria Schöffel, Co-Founder & CEO of Belle Health

How would you explain your solution to a healthcare professional in three sentences?

Belle is a digital, evidence-based self-help app for the treatment of premenstrual symptoms (PMS/PMDD). It combines psychoeducation, cognitive strategies and lifestyle changes from cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically for the premenstrual phase, and supports women in alleviating their symptoms and improving their quality of life.

Belle App

What problem motivated you to found Belle Health and set up the app?

PMS and especially the more severe form, PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), are widespread and yet dramatically underserved. Around 8% of all women suffer from PMDD - about as common as diabetes - but the condition usually remains undiagnosed for years. Many sufferers receive incorrect treatment (e.g. incorrect diagnoses) and wait an average of 12 years for help. The result: enormous suffering - 70% of PMDD sufferers experience suicidal thoughts - and the feeling of being alone with the problem. This gap in the healthcare system and the taboo surrounding PMS/PMDD motivated us to found Belle in order to finally offer women effective and easily accessible support.

How do you convince pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, insurers or other potential customers to set up a pilot project with you?

We score points with potential partners with clear evidence and a high need for care. Belle is based on a guideline-based therapy program that has been tested in clinical trials and significantly and sustainably reduces PMS/PMDD symptoms. We are thus closing a gap in care: Without Belle, those affected often wait months for therapy or receive incorrect treatment - digital early help can prevent suffering and subsequent costs (such as reducing the risk of postpartum depression).

The international user response also shows how great the demand is. In the first six months, over 20,000 women used our app. Our app is rated with 4.9 out of 5 stars - that speaks for a high level of satisfaction and shows that Belle is already helping thousands of women noticeably.

For pilot partners, this means that they can offer a tried-and-tested innovation to their customers and position themselves as pioneers. Whether health insurance, insurance or pharmaceuticals - with Belle you address an acute pain point in women's health and offer women real added value.

Belle app screenshots

Who are your current customers (groups) and who are the potential customers?

Our digital health application is currently primarily aimed at health insurance companies and insurers who offer Belle to their policyholders in order to efficiently close the care gap for PMS and PMDD. At the same time, many affected women are already using the app on their own initiative, especially internationally in the USA and the UK, which underlines the high demand. We see doctors and psychotherapists as important multipliers for raising awareness of PMS/PMDD and making those affected aware of Belle at an early stage.

Where do you see yourselves in 3 years' time and how can 5-HT support you?

In three years, Belle will be firmly established as a digital therapy for PMS/PMDD in standard care and will enable targeted treatment via health insurance companies. We want to expand our expertise and develop further gender-specific digital therapies that holistically address women's health issues and cycle-related clinical pictures. 5-HT can help us do this by networking with relevant partners and supporting us in scaling and positioning in the market.

You took part in Insuring Digital Health in October 2024. What is your impression of the event and what have you gained from participating (so far)?

The “Insuring Digital Health” event was a complete success for us. The atmosphere was exceptionally open and on an equal footing between startups and health insurance company representatives. The compact format of pitches and speed dating enabled us to talk directly to the right people and present our solution. We received valuable feedback and were able to arrange initial follow-up appointments with interested health insurance companies. The exchange with other startups was also very exciting and motivating. Overall, participation was extremely rewarding: we made new contacts for pilot projects and received a lot of support for our mission.

Victoria Schöffel, Co-Founder & CEO Belle Health, at the 5-HT event Insuring Digital Health in October 2024