Authors: Joshua Dexheimer, PhD and Nicole Strock, PhD 

Period pain affects women globally, causing uncomfortable cramping and other symptoms during menstruation. This pain can disrupt daily activities and decrease quality of life. And while over-the-counter medications are commonly used for relief, there is a growing interest in non-pharmacological solutions for pain from scientists and women alike.  

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) offers a non-pharmacological option that research shows can help significantly reduce period pain through electrical impulses that modify pain signals. Therabody’s PowerDot 2.0 delivers TENS through pre-programmed treatments, including a Period Pain Relief program.  

Read on to learn more about the causes of period pain, how TENS can help, and the benefits of using PowerDot 2.0 to manage menstrual discomfort. 

What Causes Period Pain?  

An overwhelming amount of people experience pain and cramping during their period — specifically during menstruation or the luteal phase due to the release of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause blood vessels in the uterus to constrict, and they stimulate the muscles of the uterus to contract — leading to what is often referred to as cramps. [1,2,3] 

When menstrual pain occurs without any underlying pelvic condition, it is called primary dysmenorrhea. Research shows that this impacts up to 95% of reproductive-aged women. [4,5] In some cases, menstrual pain is due to a disease or pathological condition, which is known as secondary dysmenorrhea. 

No matter what, this pain can interfere with normal day-to-day activities and prevent you from being physically active or attending school or work, decreasing your quality of life.  

How Does TENS Relieve Period Pain?  

Since the mid-1980s, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been explicitly used for addressing period pain, with scientifically proven results. [7] High-frequency TENS has been shown to: [1] 

TENS is effective at relieving period pain in a couple of ways:  

PowerDot 2.0 has a program to help provide pain relief from menstrual cramps — The Period Pain Relief Program. Using scientifically proven high-frequency TENS, the PowerDot Period Pain Relief program can be used as a safe and non-medicinal option for treating pain from menstrual cramping. And Therabody’s PowerDot 2.0 is multifunctional. Its electrical impulses can deliver pain relief for exercise-induced aches and pains and period pain alike. [1,2]   

Let’s discuss the causes of period pain and how TENS can help.

How Does the PowerDot 2.0 Work?

The PowerDot 2.0 TENS technology used in the Period Pain Relief Program uses scientifically designed preset parameters to help relieve cramping and period pain. It comes with one or two pods — providing two or four electrode wires.  

Download the PowerDot app for step-by-step instructions on how to use the device and control your treatment. You will pair the device to the app and select your treatment program and duration. 

You then place the pads, pod, and electrodes on the area of your body where there is pain. That would likely be the lower abdomen or lower back with period pain. For detailed instructions on how to use the PowerDot 2.0, check out this blog. 

Using PowerDot 2.0 

Once you hit start on the Period Pain Relief program in the PowerDot App, PowerDot instantly starts working to relieve pain and get you feeling your best. After a few minutes, you will get used to the stimulation (this is called accommodation). So, once accustomed, keep increasing the intensity throughout the session to maximize effectiveness. 

You can choose from a variety of functions and options to use PowerDot 2.0 to meet your needs. Whether that’s pain relief from minor body aches and pains, muscle recovery, or period pain, PowerDot can be used for everything life throws your way, optimizing how your body feels and functions.  

Some key benefits of using PowerDot 2.0 include:  

PowerDot 2.0 also includes key features like a wireless design, guided yet customized treatments, customizable treatments, and simple hands-free use. And don’t forget, PowerDot 2.0 TENS technology is also helpful for muscle recovery and other minor aches and pains. 

Key Takeaways 

References: