Print
Entrepreneurs

Wilmington Entrepeneur Launches MyPeriodPal

By Johanna Cano, posted Oct 15, 2021
Entrepreneur Airlie Wedemeyer has launched MyPeriodPal, a reflexology band that relieves menstrual discomfort, according to a press release. (Photo courtesy of Wedemeyer)
For a lot of women, the menstrual cycle comes with pain, which many manage with painkillers. A Wilmington entrepreneur’s recently launched product aims to address the issue with less pain medication.

This week, Airlie Wedemeyer has launched MyPeriodPal, a reflexology band that relieves menstrual discomfort, according to a press release.

“I invented MyPeriodPal while working in the Philippines, where reflexology is common and pain medication is scarce,” Wedemeyer said in the release. “A Korean colleague taught me a few basics, but when she told me to press the uterus point and all of my period pain went away, I was hooked!”

Reflexology is “a systematic practice in which applying some pressure to any particular points on the feet and hands give impacts on the health of related parts of the body,” stated an article from the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine.

Pressure points on feet and hands are thought to link with different parts of the body.

After moving back to the U.S., Wedemeyer noticed the reliance women have on pain medicine due to the lack of healthy alternatives on the market for menstrual relief, the release stated. She began prototyping, doing studies and writing grants to fund her research and development.

Wedemeyer was a recipient of the NC IDEA MICRO grant in 2019 and a semi-finalist in the Spring 2020 NC IDEA SEED grant.

Her studies spanned over two years, and through surveys, she found that 90% of women between the ages of 24-40 report their pain dropping (on a scale of 1-10) from a 9 to a 2 during the first few minutes of wearing the bands. According to the release, 98% of all users report taking less pain medication with MyPeriodPal.

“None of the initial users had any knowledge of reflexology, so they were skeptical that a point on their ankle could affect their menstrual cramps,” Wedemeyer said.

Currently, the bands are available on the company’s website.

The bands, which are made of neoprene with a rubber core, are made in North Carolina and China.

“Pain medicine is the No. 1 relief for females during menstruation, but over time they also lead to ulcers, heart attack, stroke, liver damage and high blood pressure,” she said in an email. “My goal is for MyPeriodPal to help women and girls of all ages have a happier, healthier life one period at a time by using less pain medication.” 
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Pfinder john zachary

What You Need to Know About SECURE 2.0 and Its Effect on Individual Retirement Accounts

John B Zachary - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting
Untitleddesign2 4523114356

Cybersecurity and Productivity: Striking the Perfect Balance for Business Success

Barrett Earney - EarneyIT
Jimheadshot

The Wilmington Construction Market: Trends, Recognition, and Challenges

Jim Hundley - Thomas Construction Group

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

INFO JUNKIE: Jack Fleming

Jack Fleming, owner of Socialry Marketing & Scourz and emcee for 1 Million Cups Wilmington, shares his media and tech picks....


Berries, A Battlefield And More In Pender

The N.C. Blueberry Festival, founded in 2003, is one of several events in Pender County that have drawn more attention over the years....


Q&A: Andrews Reflects On Leadership

Pender County Manager David Andrews is slated to retire this summer after 33 years in local government....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments