Author: Bailey McLagan, MS, CSCS, Study Principal Investigator: University of Southern California
Reviewed by Therabody Scientists: Tim Roberts, MSc; Rachelle Reed, PhD, MS, ACSM-EP; Kyle Silvey, PhD, CSCS; Michelle Darian, MS, MPH, RD, LDN
Period cramps can significantly impact whole-body health — from quality of life to productivity. While many rely on over-the-counter pain medications for relief, these can be accompanied by other side effects.
A new study offers hope for those seeking an alternative solution. Therabody PowerDot ®, a device that uses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), has been shown to effectively reduce period pain and decrease reliance on NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Read on to learn about how period cramps can disrupt whole-body health, the side effects associated with commonly consumed over-the-counter medications, and how the PowerDot can deliver pain relief.
Period Cramps Impact Whole-Body Health
Those who have a period have likely experienced some level of cramps that can range from bothersome to all-out debilitating. The degree to which cramps can interfere with someone’s daily routine is rarely acknowledged, yet can negatively affect many aspects of life. Here are just a few ways in which period cramps can be disruptive:
- Presenteeism: Physically showing up to work or school, but experiencing a loss in productivity, is known as presenteeism. It’s reported that over 80% of menstruating individuals have suffered from this symptom during at least one of their periods. [1]
- Poor Sleep Quality: Menstrual cramps may affect the ability to get good quality sleep. The impact is reciprocal — poor sleep quality can further exacerbate the severity of cramps. [2, 3]
- Decreased Quality of Life: Pain can have a profound impact on psychological symptoms that impact quality of life. Quality of life is an individual’s perception of their position in life, relative to their community, their values, and their health overall. Being in pain can affect mood, social activities, and relationships — and menstrual cramps are no different. Studies show that those with moderate-to-severe menstrual cramps can have decreased quality of life for at least a few days every cycle. When summed over all cycles across someone’s reproductive life (i.e., the years in which they have a menstrual cycle), that can add up to a substantial amount of time. [4]
- Reduced Physical Activity Levels: Pain associated with menstrual cramps can be a deterrent to participating in physical activity. [5]
Pain and cramping can have a substantial impact on health, both physical and emotional. Therefore, finding treatments to help lift that burden is essential for whole-body health.
Side Effects of Taking NSAIDs For Period Pain
NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, are commonly relied upon treatments for pain, including period cramps. Pain can come from various sources, including inflammatory compounds called prostaglandins. NSAIDs are so effective because they block the production of these compounds, easing discomfort.
While these medications can help minimize pain, they can be accompanied by side effects. These include gastrointestinal (GI) upset, dizziness, poor blood clotting, and more. [6] Additionally, some people don’t respond to NSAIDs (i.e., they don’t experience pain relief). [7]
How TENS Reduces Pain
Finding alternatives to these over-the-counter medications can help address some of these concerns. That’s where TENS comes in. This treatment delivers very mild electrical currents across the skin to inhibit the transmission of pain. [8] It acts on sensory nerves (nerves that help communicate senses like pressure and pain to the brain) to reduce and block pain signals. This can help to reduce the severity of pain experienced.
The side effects of using TENS are limited and can be eliminated simply by turning off the device.
Let’s dive into how the PowerDot improved the pain associated with cramps in a recent study.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The study was conducted in the Clinical Exercise Research Center (CERC) at the University of Southern California (USC) and supported by Therabody. It included 34 participants who met the following criteria:
- Were a menstruating individual between the ages of 18-35
- Not on a form of birth control for at least 6 months prior to the study
- Experienced moderate-to-severe menstrual cramps and were notdiagnosed with a gynecological disease (e.g., PCOS or endometriosis)
The study spanned three menstrual cycles, with different treatments assigned in randomized order: a single pod connected to a butterfly pad (PowerDot Uno), two pods connected to four electrode pads (PowerDot Duo), and NSAIDs only (control).
At the onset of each period, participants were asked to use their assigned treatment whenever they experienced period cramps. While on the PowerDot assignments, participants used the “Period Pain Relief" setting in the PowerDot app. Once a day, participants received a survey to input the number and lengths of PowerDot treatments used, pre- and post-pain scores for each treatment, and whether they consumed additional NSAIDs following treatment.
While assigned to the PowerDot treatments, individuals were expected to use the PowerDot for pain relief first. However, if they did not experience pain relief (or didn’t have the device readily available), they were permitted to use NSAIDs (but were not allowed to use PowerDot for the remainder of the day).
Let’s unpack the study results.
The Study Showed That PowerDot Works
This study’s results demonstrate Therabody PowerDot’s effectiveness in managing period pain. Participants experienced significant (and clinical) reductions in pain and relied less on NSAIDs as a treatment. These findings highlight the potential of PowerDot as a safe and effective option for those seeking relief from period cramps.
PowerDot Use Reduced Pain
The results showed that using the PowerDot, regardless of the assignment (i.e., Uno or Duo), significantly decreased pain. These individuals also experienced a “clinically significant" reduction in pain — a subjective reduction in symptoms. In other words, people felt a noticeable difference in their pain levels following the PowerDot treatment.
Participants Who Used PowerDot Consumed Less NSAIDs
During the PowerDot assignments, participants consumed significantly fewer NSAIDs than the control group. This is a critical finding because NSAID consumption can be associated with various side effects noted above. TENS, in comparison, has very minimal potential side effects (e.g., tightness or skin irritation from the pads).
Therefore, finding that TENS causes a noticeable decrease in pain and a decrease in NSAIDs consumed is good news for those looking for an alternative pain relief option.
The PowerDot Reduced Pain in a Real-World Setting
Many scientific studies are conducted in a laboratory, allowing scientists to isolate the variable they’re measuring. While this control is important for determining mechanisms behind why and how the body responds to a certain treatment, controlled settings make translating study findings to real-life scenarios more difficult. The majority of previous studies using TENS for period cramps were conducted in more controlled settings.
What sets these new findings apart is that participants used PowerDot as they would in their day-to-day lives. Participants were able to use their PowerDot whenever they felt they needed to. They could also customize their treatment (i.e., duration and number of uses). Abstaining from treatment altogether if they felt they didn’t need it was also an option. This presents a more realistic example of how TENS can be used in those who struggle with period cramps, making the findings more translatable to a real-world scenario.
*This article provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information provided in this article and any linked materials are not intended for and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Key Takeaways
The study on Therabody PowerDot found that using the device when experiencing period cramps helped to:
- Significantly reduce the severity of pain experienced.
- Significantly reduce the amount of NSAIDs consumed.
- Show that TENS can modulate period cramps in a real-world setting.
References:
- M. E. Schoep, E. M. M. Adang, J. W. M. Maas, B. De Bie, J. W. M. Aarts, and T. E. Nieboer, “Productivity loss due to menstruation-related symptoms: a nationwide cross-sectional survey among 32 748 women," BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 6, p. e026186, 06/2019.
- I. A. Ishikura, H. Hachul, G. N. Pires, S. Tufik, and M. L. Andersen, “The impact of primary dysmenorrhea on sleep and the consequences for adolescent academic performance," J. Clin. Sleep Med., vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 467–468, Mar. 2020.
- L. Wang et al., “Prevalence and risk factors of primary dysmenorrhea in students: A meta-analysis," Value Health, vol. 25, no. 10, pp. 1678–1684, Oct. 2022.
- S. Iacovides, I. Avidon, and F. C. Baker, “What we know about primary dysmenorrhea today: a critical review," Hum. Reprod. Update, vol. 21, no. 6, pp. 762–778, 11/2015.
- I. Chantler, D. Mitchell, and A. Fuller, “Actigraphy quantifies reduced voluntary physical activity in women with primary dysmenorrhea," J. Pain, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 38–46, Jan. 2009.
- I. Ghlichloo and V. Gerriets, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). StatPearls Publishing, 2023.
- R. O. Day, G. G. Graham, K. M. Williams, and P. M. Brooks, “Variability in response to NSAIDs," Drugs, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 643–651, Dec. 1988.
- Tashani, O., & Johnson, M. (2009). Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) A Possible Aid for Pain Relief in Developing Countries?. The Libyan journal of medicine, 4(2), 62–65. https://doi.org/10.4176/090119 ;