What's a TENS machine? Can it help my period pain or endometriosis?
If you’ve been on social media recently you might have noticed sponsored posts and ads for a variety of small, portable electrical devices.
- If you’ve been on social media recently you might have noticed sponsored posts and ads for a variety of small, portable electrical devices.
- These claim to manage period or endometriosis pain safely and without drugs.
- Most devices have a small box that generates an electrical pulse, and wires connected to sticky pads, which go on your tummy.
They’re mini TENS machines
- These devices use “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation”, better known as TENS.
- TENS machines are not new.
- Half of people with period pain say over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen doesn’t get rid of their period pain.
How might TENS work?
- These pulses are transmitted through the surface of the skin via the sticky pads.
- So for period pain that’s usually at or below the level of the belly button but above the pubic region.
Here’s what we know so far
- First, we need to first talk about different types of nerves.
- Nociceptors are nerves that send “danger” impulses about actual or potential tissue damage.
- The gate control theory of pain says the spinal cord has “gates” that can be open or closed.
- TENS machines, especially at high frequency (greater than 50 pulses per second), tend to stimulate sensory nerves (the ones in your skin).
So does TENS work?
- There was a significant reduction in period pain when high-frequency TENS (more than 50 pulses per second) was compared to sham TENS (where the machine looks the same but doesn’t deliver a pulse).
- There is only one study of TENS for pelvic pain due to endometriosis.
- So we need larger studies with a proper control group before we can be sure if TENS works for endometriosis pain.
Is it safe?
Most studies report no side effects when the pads are used on the abdomen or lower spine. However, if you turn up the intensity too high it can be uncomfortable. You could also get a rash from the adhesive on the pads.
Read more:
First periods can come as a shock. 5 ways to support your kid when they get theirs
Which one to buy?
- If you are going to use the device occasionally (less than 4-5 days per month) you may just need a device that allows you to change the intensity.
- To get the best relief, the machine should be turned up high enough so it delivers noticeable pulses, but is not painful.
- For period pain, high frequency (more than 50 pulses per second) shows better results than low frequency (usually 2-5 pulses per second).
- So make sure the device you’re thinking of buying is either set to a high frequency or you can change the frequency.