How to Relieve Period Pain with Electrostimulation

According to social security figures, 50-70% of teenage girls suffer from abdominopelvic pain linked to dysmenorrhoea (period pain). These figures include occasional or permanent pain. Period pain is the leading cause of absenteeism from school and work among young girls.

Clinical signs are often characterised by a painful peak lasting 1 or 2 days, associated with abundant bleeding, headaches, fatigue, nausea or even vomiting.

The painful area most frequently affected is the abdominal region, but the lower back (lumbar spine) and thighs can also be affected during period pain. The pain varies in intensity, in the form of cramps or spasms.

What Causes Menstruation / Period Pain (Dysmenorrhoea)?

There are two types of period pain: the primary form which affects teenagers, and the secondary form which appears later in adulthood.

Primary Form: this arises shortly after the first period. An excess secretion of prostaglandins (fatty acids) defines it. This generates an increase in uterine tone and frequent contractions. This, by compressing the blood vessels, causes hypoxia (absence of oxygen) and also the associated pain.

Secondary Form: appears later in women who have previously had normal periods. A precise medical diagnosis and treatment plan must be made by your healthcare professional.

The correct use of a Compex electrostimulation (EMS) device to relieve painful periods is the TENS program.

Under no circumstances should this treatment replace a medical consultation or your usual medication.

Apart from the presence of a pacemaker or epilepsy, there are no contraindications to the TENS program.

Why is TENS Effective?

The main purpose is to stimulate the superficial nerve fiber by provoking tingling sensations under the electrodes. As these sensations travel back up to the brain via the spinal cord, they will reduce or stop the pain signals on the same route.

You can learn more about TENS by reading our What is TENS blog.

Using an Electrostimulator to Treat Period Pain

Program: TENS pain relief (or TENS or modulated TENS depending on the Compex model)

Treatment Duration: throughout the acute period pain phase and inflammatory signs.

Treatment Procedure: you can use TENS as soon as the first period pain appears and until they disappear. You can connect your TENS at least once a day. There is no time limit, and you can also do several sessions in the same day.

Electrode Placement: position electrodes around the painful area.

• Abdomen
• Lumbar spine
• Thighs

Body Position: place yourself in the most comfortable neutral position (lying down or reclined).

Adjusting the Intensity: the desired effect is to obtain a notable, but not painful, tingling sensation to treat period pain. Increasing the intensity to a higher level will not provide any additional effectiveness and may also trigger muscle contractions that are not good for this treatment.

Devices with mi-TENS technology (SP 8.0 & SP 4.0): when a contraction is detected, the stimulation intensity is automatically reduced.

Devices without mi-TENS technology: if a muscle contraction occurs, reduce the intensity level manually.

Proven Effectiveness

Backed by clinical studies proving their effectiveness, Compex stimulators also belong to the category of Class II medical devices. They also meet the needs of the European Medical Standard 93/42 EEC.

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