Understanding Period Pain: Why Relief Options Matter

Period pain can be more than just an inconvenience - it can disrupt your work, sleep, and daily life. Cramping, aching, and lower back pain are common symptoms during the menstrual cycle. While painkillers offer relief, many people are turning to natural, non-medicated alternatives such as TENS therapy and heat.

Understanding how these therapies work gives you more control over how you manage period pain. Whether you're working from home or out and about, options like TENS and heat therapy can be easily built into your daily routine.

At PainPod®, we offer devices that combine both technologies - TENS and heat, to give you a more effective solution.

How Heat Therapy Helps Relieve Menstrual Cramps

Heat is a tried-and-tested method for soothing period pain. Applying warmth to the lower abdomen helps to relax the muscles, improve blood flow, and ease discomfort.

Here’s how heat therapy can help:

• Relaxes the uterine muscles to reduce cramping
  
• Boosts circulation to decrease inflammation
  
• Eases muscle tension in the lower back and pelvic region
  
  

Common heat methods include hot water bottles, heat packs, and wearable warming devices. While effective, the results are often short-lived and may require frequent application throughout the day.

TENS Therapy for Period Pain: Targeting Nerve Pathways

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) works by sending low-voltage electrical pulses to the skin to interfere with pain signals sent to the brain.

For menstrual cramps, TENS is typically applied to the lower abdomen or back, and works to:

• Interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain
  
• Stimulate endorphin production—your body’s natural painkillers
  
• Reduce reliance on medication with drug-free pain relief
  
  

Unlike heat, TENS offers more targeted support. When positioned correctly, it provides focused stimulation for menstrual cramp relief. Learn more about how TENS therapy supports pain relief

TENS vs. Heat: Which Is More Effective?

When it comes to period pain relief, both TENS and heat therapy are effective. However, they work in different ways.

TENS provides a more flexible solution, especially for those seeking non-medication pain relief throughout the day. Many users find it helpful when cramps appear without warning or during busy schedules. Both options have benefits—but why choose one when you can have both?

The Best of Both Worlds: Heat + TENS Combined

This is where PainPod® shines. Our PainPod Heat Device and Red Light Belt bring together the comforting warmth of heat therapy with the nerve-targeting power of TENS in a single wearable device.

This dual-action approach offers:

• Fast and effective pain relief
  
• Deeper, more lasting results
  
• Convenience at home or on the go
  
  

Backed by Clinical Research

A clinical study conducted by the Pain Relief Unit at Rambam Medical Centre in Israel tested the use of TENS, heat therapy, and their combination of patients experiencing back and neck pain. The results?

The most significant pain relief was observed when TENS and heat were used together, outperforming either therapy alone across all measured categories: spontaneous pain, mechanical pain threshold, and evoked pain response.

This supports what many users already experience. Using both TENS and heat provides greater relief, especially for muscular and nerve-related pain like menstrual cramps.

Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?

Here are a few practical tips:

• Looking for lasting relief? Use heat in the morning, followed by TENS throughout the day
  
• Want flexibility? Our devices are portable, adjustable, and perfect for use at work or on the move
  
• Prefer a consistent routine? Use your PainPod device at the first sign of cramping each cycle for better control
  
  

Experience Period Pain Relief That Works

At PainPod®, we believe that managing period pain should be natural, effective, and easy to fit into your lifestyle. Our PainPod Heat Device and Red Light Belt when used with other PainPod devices, are designed to deliver the benefits of TENS and heat therapy in one solution, so you never have to compromise.

Ready to upgrade your pain relief routine?

Explore our range of at-home physiotherapy devices or contact the PainPod® team to find out how we can help support your menstrual wellness. 

Want to know more about how TENS for menstrual pain fits into your pain management toolkit? Contact us to speak with the PainPod team.

References

• Harvard Health Publishing. (2023). Understanding Menstrual Cramps
• Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea)
• Mayo Clinic. (2024). Menstrual Cramps: Symptoms & Relief
• National Library of Medicine. (2014). Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Primary Dysmenorrhea
• Cochrane Library. (2020). TENS for Menstrual Pain Relief
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Managing Menstrual Pain
• Healthline. (2023). Does Heat Help with Cramps? 
• NHS UK. (2023). Period Pain 
• Journal of Physiotherapy. (2018). Effectiveness of TENS in Period Pain Management
• Eisenberg, E., & Shebshacvich, V. (n.d.). The Effects of Electrotherapy, Heat, and Cold and Their Combinations on Back and Neck Pain. Pain Relief Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.