TensCare Ova+ - 4 Tailor Made TENS Programmes for Pain relief from Period Pain, Ednometriosis and Dysmenorrhea. Silent Unit to be used at Home, Work or on the Go

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TENS may be able to help reduce pain and muscle spasms caused by a wide range of conditions including: you're pregnant, or there's a chance you might be pregnant – TENS may not be recommended early in pregnancy Again, the main symptom is lower tummy pain during your periods (menstrual cramps). With secondary dysmenorrhoea, your periods tend to become more painful after several years of 'normal' periods (that is, periods with normal, mild, period pains). This study compared two types of TENS – one using a higher frequency for 20 minutes twice a day, and one using a lower frequency for 30 minutes once per week. Both types used pads placed on the tailbone, and women were told to make the pulses “strong, but comfortable”. Another option if you also need contraception is to try another type of contraception that contains progestogen. These might also be recommended if you can't have combined hormonal contraception (some people have medical conditions that make it unsafe). Options include the progestogen only contraceptive pill, the progestogen implant, or an injectable progestogen contraceptive. See the separate leaflets called Progestogen-only Contraceptive Pill (POP), Contraceptive Implant, and Contraceptive Injection which describe these options in more detail. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine

Some people cannot take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers. For example, people with a stomach ulcer, and some people with asthma. TENS is not a cure for pain and often only provides short-term relief while the TENS machine is being used.

Does TENS work?

To get the best relief, the machine should be turned up high enough so it delivers noticeable pulses, but is not painful. So you need to find your own comfort level. Endometriosis is where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus, commonly in the pelvis. There is only one study of TENS for pelvic pain due to endometriosis. The cause is often not clear (this is called primary dysmenorrhoea). In primary dysmenorrhoea, the womb (uterus) is normal. It is thought that normal body chemicals called prostaglandins build up in the lining of the womb. Prostaglandins help the muscular wall of the womb to contract and remove the lining of the womb during a period. There's not enough good-quality scientific evidence to say for sure whether TENS is a reliable method of pain relief. More research is needed and clinical trials are ongoing.

To get the most benefit from TENS, it's important that the settings are adjusted correctly for you and your individual condition. The exact mechanisms of how TENS works to reduce pain is still unclear. There are likely many different pathways. Most women with painful periods have mild pain that they can treat themselves at home. However, if your pain becomes more severe and is interfering with your usual activities, you should see your doctor. First, we need to first talk about different types of nerves. Nociceptors are nerves that send “danger” impulses about actual or potential tissue damage. Sensory nerves in your skin transmit information about things such as touch and pressure. The main symptom is crampy pain in your lower tummy (abdomen). Often, the first few periods that you have are painless. Period pains may only begin 6-12 months after you have started your periods. The pain:Take a strong enough dose. If your pains are not eased, ask your doctor or pharmacist if the dose that you are taking is the maximum allowed. An increase in dose may be all that you need. Some people may be allergic to the pads and their skin may become red and irritated. Speak to your GP, physiotherapist or pharmacist if you have concerns. You may need to take a short break from using TENS. Special pads are available for people with allergies. Start on a low setting and gradually increase it until the sensation feels strong but comfortable. If the tingling sensation starts to feel painful or uncomfortable, reduce it slightly. If your GP feels that you have secondary dysmenorrhoea, they may arrange further tests (such as an ultrasound scan) or refer you to a specialist (usually a gynaecologist) for their opinion and other investigations. The investigations that are carried out depend on the likely underlying problem. They may include: A physiotherapist or pain specialist may be able to loan you a TENS machine for a short period if they think it could help.