TENS Units and Menstrual Pain

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) - what is it?
Menstrual pain is also known as dysmenorrhea or period pain. The term dysmenorrhea is Greek for painful menstruation. It is generally classified into two groups: primary and secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea is the common form of menstrual cramps. It is caused by a substance called prostaglandin - made by cells in the inner lining of the uterus. Prostaglandin makes uterine muscles contract in order to help shed the lining built up during the menstrual cycle. Too much prostaglandin causes painful menstruation. Further amounts can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is less common. It occurrs after a woman has already had normal menstrual cycles for some time. It is caused by an abnormality or infection of the uterus, tubes or ovaries. The pain, although similar to menstrual cramps, lasts longer and can even occur at other stages of the menstrual cycle. Treatment can even involve surgery.

How does TENS help with menstrual pain?
Treatments have traditionally involved over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. However, they have contraindications such as ulcers, asthma, pregnancy and allergic reactions. That is why many women have turned to tens units.

TENS is ideal for the treatment of painful menstruation. It is non-invasive and drug-free. Pads are placed on the back, near the area of pain. TENS uses soothing pulses that are sent via the pads through the skin and along the nerve fibers. The pulses suppress pain signals to the brain and encourage the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals - endorphins and encephalins.

Body Clock offers a full range of tens units, ems units and other pain relief devices. Body Clock supply hospitals and health centers worldwide.

Body Clock units are FDA approved and CE marked, complying with stringent EU medical device regulations.