Toronto-based femtech startup Undu Wearables has recently launched their unique wearable menstrual pain management products across Canada. Period pain impacts 84% of women resulting in 9 days of productivity lost every year. Yet people looking for relief from menstrual pain have felt that this problem hasnot been adequately addressed and are looking for non-invasive options.
Undu’s co-founders Robin Linton, Katherine Porter and Charlie Katrycz started the Company in 2019 after winning the National James Dyson Award, an international invention competition. Their innovation received praise for using novel injection molding technology to solve a prevalent yet under addressed problem in women’s health. Until then, there had not been a natural and effective menstrual pain solution that was also affordable, ethical and discrete.
“84% of menstruating people experience disruptive pain,” stated Linton, “and for decades they have been forced to turn to unsatisfactory products or have just suffered through it.” To fill the large void in the $7.5 billion global menstrual pain market, the trio worked to understand the experiences of people with menstrual pain through surveys, interviews, and three months of product testing across Canada to develop their products using participatory design. Driven by their results, Undu developed two products: The Original Heat Pack and The Keep it Brief.
Undu’s patented manufacturing technology soothes menstrual pain and the heat pack is specifically shaped for targeted areas. Made with skin-safe, sand-based silicone, and powered by beeswax, the pack is reusable, 80% biodegradable, and is easily concealed under clothing for discreet on-the-go use. The briefs are comfortable, high-rise underwear designed with special pockets in the front and back to hold the heat pack perfectly in place. Securely applying heat where pain relief is needed most, the briefs are made from bamboo fibres blended with cotton and provide flattering full bottom coverage with barely there being panty lines.
