Relieving period pain without medication: what are the effective alternatives?

Today, 8 out of 10 women suffer from dysmenorrhoea or mild period pain every month. This pelvic pain that accompanies periods can last for a shorter or longer time and sometimes prevent you from carrying out your daily activities. From stabbing cramps to backache and heavy legs, symptoms vary from one woman to another. Unfortunately, many women struggle to find lasting solutions to this problem. Some turn to medication, others prefer to avoid it. The good news is that it is possible to relieve period pain with electrostimulation. Electrodes placed on your abdomen send electrical impulses that act on the pain pathways leading to the brain. Below, we explain how it works.

Electrostimulation during your period: a gentle, natural method

Tired of medication, or of hot water bottles that don’t work for your painful periods? Electrotherapy is a gentle alternative that could suit you. It is a natural solution for periods that relieves pain related to dysmenorrhoea naturally.

Using a small device and electrodes controlled by a dedicated app, electrostimulation sends electrical impulses to the painful area. These impulses interrupt the transmission of pain signals sent to the brain. You will feel immediate relief that can last 4 to 6 hours, without the help of any medication. Unlike anti-inflammatories, electrostimulation has no side effects.

Although medically certified, electrostimulation is a natural solution that effectively combats pain and severe dysmenorrhoea. Other conditions such as endometriosis can also be relieved with it. Depending on the severity of the condition, the pain may decrease or even disappear completely.

Relieving abdominal muscle tension caused by dysmenorrhoea

You can ease abdominal muscle tension due to dysmenorrhoea, relieve pain related to menstruation and other conditions specific to the female body by resting and using certain natural treatments.

Below are a few tips which, alongside electrostimulation, can relieve period pain while limiting the use of medication.

Rest

If the muscle tension is caused by excessive physical exertion, rest is essential to give the muscles time to recover fully. It is important to avoid using the abdominal muscles as much as possible until the symptoms have disappeared.

Applying heat and cold

Applying heat and cold to tense abdominal muscles can help reduce both muscle tension and pain. Heat relaxes contracted muscles and improves blood circulation, while cold relieves pain quickly.

Abdominal massage

Massaging the abdominal area can also help relax tense muscles and stimulate blood circulation in the body. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before self-massaging the area, as this could lead to complications if the muscle tension is due to a more serious condition. In the case of endometriosis, for example, abdominal massage may be contraindicated.

Hot drinks

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), women are advised to avoid cold drinks and foods during their periods, as they are believed to slow down blood circulation. To promote good circulation during menstruation, it is recommended to eat only hot meals and to drink beverages at least at room temperature.

What is TENS electrostimulation?

To understand the effect of electrostimulation on period pain, you first need to understand what it is. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.

TENS electrostimulation is a natural, non-invasive process that relieves all types of pain, acute or chronic, by means of electrical impulses. In practice, low-frequency electrical currents are used to stimulate the nerves, which blocks the transmission of pain signals.

These electrical impulses are generated by a battery-powered electrostimulation device, then transmitted to the nerves via electrodes placed on the skin. It is a natural solution for easing period pain.

How to use a TENS device effectively?

Anyone can use a TENS electrostimulator. Simply place the electrodes on the painful area and select the appropriate programme according to the type of pain or condition to be treated.

To position the electrodes correctly on the target area, read the instructions for use or refer to the dedicated app supplied with your electrostimulation device

It is recommended to do electrostimulation sessions 3 to 5 times a week for at least 20 minutes to see a real improvement. However, nothing prevents you from doing up to 5 sessions a day if you experience daily pain.

If you use TENS for rehabilitation or to treat chronic pain, it is best to consult a healthcare professional, such as a physiotherapist. Results are often much better when electrostimulation is part of a therapeutic follow-up.

How to choose the right device for electrostimulation at home?

Bluetens offers two devices that are an excellent alternative for relieving pain related to menstruation in order to reduce or eliminate the use of medication. These are the Bluetens Classic 2 and the DUO Sport 2.

These two TENS devices offer effective pain relief programmes to relieve all types of pain, including pain related to periods and endometriosis.

A variety of preset programmes in the intuitive Bluetens app

The Bluetens Classic 2 and DUO Sport 2 devices are controlled by a smartphone app. The Bluetens app is completely free and allows users to stimulate up to 15 parts of the body with unique programmes developed by healthcare professionals.

You can choose between three modes:

• Mode 1: Simple session

Start a basic electrostimulation session by selecting the body area from 15 options and the desired effect: relieve pain, relax or strengthen.

• Mode 2: Global treatment

Access a protocol designed specifically by the Bluetens medical team to treat targeted problems such as sprains, lower back pain, osteoarthritis or tendinitis.

• Mode 3: Premium feature

Get a personalised treatment programme with support from a Bluetens physiotherapist. This option is subject to a fee.

To treat period pain, simply select the appropriate programme and place the electrodes on your lower abdomen: you should feel relief quickly.

Relieving period pain without medication is possible with electrostimulation

If you are one of those women who want to avoid chemicals, electrostimulation is an alternative solution for relief without medication. Electrostimulation not only helps to shape the body, but also speeds up the healing process in the case of injuries and chronic pain. In doing so, it reduces the use of medication.

It is important to follow the instructions for use of the device you have chosen. Use the Bluetens app and reduce your medication intake. Electrostimulation is effective not only for period pain, but also for other problems such as back pain, sports injuries and much more.

Combine electrostimulation with other factors such as rest, massage and heat to support your body’s healing process without putting it under additional strain. Bluetens helps you achieve this with its devices.