Heat for period pain: what helps when heat isn't enough?

Why heat helps with period pain

For many women, period pain is part of every month: a mild pulling sensation in the lower abdomen for some, cramping pain for others.^[1] A hot water bottle is often the first thing they reach for, and for many women it makes the pain a little more bearable. Here you will find out why that is, what else you can do without medication and when you should see your gynaecologist.

What happens during your period

Every month, the lining of the womb thickens so that a fertilised egg can implant. If that does not happen, the top layer is shed with your period. In the process, the muscles of the womb contract and relax at irregular intervals. Some women barely notice this, while in others these contractions cause painful cramps.^[1]

The role of prostaglandins

Prostaglandins, hormone-like messenger substances, play an important role. They make the muscles of the womb contract so that the lining is shed. When the pain has no recognisable cause, the body probably produces too many of them or is particularly sensitive to them. This kind of pain is more common in women under 30 and in women with heavy periods.^[1]

More than just pain

Period pain does not always stay in the lower abdomen. It can spread to the back and legs, and some women also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, sometimes headaches too. For 1 in 10 women, the pain is so severe that they cannot manage their daily life on 1 to 3 days every month.^[1]

What heat does

That is why many women try heat first. Studies suggest that heat patches and heat belts can relieve pain during your period. Warm baths, hot water bottles and saunas are considered soothing.^[1] If you want to rest, put a heat pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel on your tummy, and if you stay active, gentle exercise is a second simple remedy.^[2] How portable heat and TENS differ is explained in our magazine article Portable heat for period pain: heat belt or TENS?

But heat alone is not always enough, and you do not have to justify that.

When heat isn't enough: possible reasons

Heat reaches its limits in three ways: the research, possible causes and how severe the pain is, and we look at each of them.

What the research says

Heat can ease period pain, and there is evidence for this from studies, for example on heat patches and heat belts.^[3] If heat alone is not enough, TENS can be a medication-free way to support you with period symptoms: studies suggest that it can help to relieve period pain.^[4] The Beurer EM 50 Menstrual Relax combines TENS with an optional, soothing heat function in one pad for use at home and on the go.

An underlying cause

Sometimes there is more behind the cramps. Secondary period pain is often caused by fibroids or polyps, sometimes by a contraceptive coil, and severe pain can also be a sign of endometriosis. It often only starts once you have had periods for several years, and it can also occur outside your period.^[1] In that case, the cause needs to be checked by a doctor.

Painkillers

If you have very severe pain, a GP may recommend anti-inflammatory painkillers.^[2] Ibuprofen and naproxen can relieve the pain because they reduce the production of prostaglandins.^[3] Most women tolerate them well, but stomach problems can occur.^[1] Whether they are right for you is something to check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Hormonal contraceptives such as the pill or the hormonal coil can also ease period pain, because bleeding usually becomes lighter and shorter. They can have side effects such as headaches or nausea, and your gynaecologist can advise you on which options are suitable.^[1]

What else can help without medication

Easing period pain without medication means combining heat with exercise, relaxation and TENS. We have summarised what studies suggest about each option.

Exercise

Does it have to be a workout? No, gentle exercise such as walking or cycling can help to ease period pain.^[2] Some studies suggest that jogging, yoga and exercises can also help, and for some women even a walk brings relief.^[1]

Relaxation

Stress can also play a role in period pain.^[1] Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation is easy to learn.^[5] Breathing exercises, yoga or tai chi are often found helpful for calming down.^[1]

An order for your first days

1. Start with heat and gentle exercise, as these are things you can easily do yourself.^[2]
2. If that is not enough, add relaxation or TENS.
3. If the pain is very severe, new or getting worse, see a doctor. For severe pain, painkillers can be added.

In the end, you decide on the order, and it simply gives you a guide for the first days of your cycle.

TENS

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. A small device sends mild electrical impulses through the skin via pads to the painful area, which can feel like tingling. The impulses are thought to interfere with pain signals before they reach the brain and may help the body release endorphins, its own natural painkillers.^[4]

One review analysed 20 studies with 585 women with period pain. Studies suggest that TENS can help to relieve it. Possible side effects are slight redness or irritation of the skin around the electrodes.^[4] How well TENS really helps with period pain is explained in our magazine article TENS for period pain: does electrical nerve stimulation really help?

TENS and heat in one pad: the Beurer EM 50 Menstrual Relax

With the Beurer EM 50 Menstrual Relax, you stick TENS and an optional heat function onto your lower abdomen in one pad.

We developed it for menstrual pain: TENS and heat in one pad that adapts to the shape of your body. You can switch on the heat function and also use it without TENS, and its soothing heat can help you relax.

Key facts

• TENS: you set the intensity yourself in 15 levels.
• Heat: one level at 43 °C.
• Battery: one charge lasts for up to 6 applications of 20 minutes each.
• Gel pads: 2 self-adhesive pads measuring 50 x 56 mm.
• Operation: simple controls via buttons directly on the pad, an LED shows when the battery is low, and there is an automatic switch-off.
• Included in the box: storage bag, gel pads and USB-C cable.
• The pad is a medical device and comes with a 5-year guarantee.

How to use it in everyday life

You can wear the flexible, discreet pad at home or on the go, and thanks to the rechargeable battery you decide when and where to use it. You charge it with the USB-C cable supplied.

Stick the gel pads onto clean, dry, grease-free skin and put them back on the carrier film after use.

To clean the gel pads, wipe them with a damp, lint-free cloth without chemical cleaning agents. If they no longer stick reliably, replace them. We also make matching replacement gel pads for the Beurer EM 50 Menstrual Relax.

The variant: Beurer EM 55 Menstrual Relax +

The Beurer EM 55 Menstrual Relax + has larger gel pads and comes with an extra set of gel pads. That is the only difference between them, and both are part of our TENS range. How to find the right pad is explained in our magazine article EM 50 vs EM 55: which Beurer menstrual TENS pad suits you?

With the Beurer EM 55 Menstrual Relax +, only use the specially coded USB-C cable supplied. Standard USB-C cables are not compatible.

      

Warning signs: when to see your gynaecologist

Is the pain very severe, getting worse over time or new? Then we recommend talking to your gynaecologist.^[1] These warning signs also need to be checked by a gynaecologist:

• Pain in the lower abdomen that keeps coming back outside your period^[1]
• Pain during sex, when peeing or when pooing^[2]
• Blood in your urine or stool

Why ask early? On average, it takes more than 9 years from first seeing a doctor to a firm diagnosis of endometriosis.^[6] You do not have to accept severe pain that dominates your daily life every month as normal.^[1]

A pain diary helps at your appointment: note when and where the pain occurs and whether it follows your cycle.^[7]

Have you already been diagnosed with endometriosis? Then you will find ideas for everyday life in our magazine article Endometriosis: TENS and heat for support in everyday life. This does not replace a medical assessment.

Who must not use the EM 50 Menstrual Relax

The Beurer EM 50 Menstrual Relax must not be used during pregnancy. The same applies if you have a pacemaker.

Here are the most important contraindications. The pad must also not be used if you have:

• implanted electrical devices such as pacemakers
• metal implants such as copper coils
• an insulin pump
• a high fever
• known or acute cardiac arrhythmia
• seizure disorders such as epilepsy
• cancer
• had surgery after which stronger muscle contractions could interfere with healing

Do not use the pad while asleep, while driving or while operating machinery. Leave at least 30 minutes between two applications.

If you have chronic pain that has not been investigated, talk to your doctor before using it. The Beurer EM 50 Menstrual Relax does not replace a medical consultation. Read the instructions for use before your first application.

Would you like to get to know the pad? Take a look at the Beurer EM 50 Menstrual Relax.