This is a general guide on how to use a TENS machine. Always follow the manufacturer's specific instructions. Menstruation forms part of a woman's life for around forty years. Of the 130 million women that this affects in Europe, an estimated 20% suffer from such severe period pain that it restricts their day-to-day lives. Many women need to prepare for periods of discomfort on a regular basis, but want to avoid using pain-relief medication. Beurer is now launching a TENS device with optional heat function that has been specifically designed to provide a natural means of relieving menstrual cramps. NATURAL PAIN RELIEF: The EM50 effectively relieves menstrual and endometriosis pain using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Pelvic inflammatory disease: Where your womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries become infected with bacteria, causing them to become severely inflamed.

From cute animal-shaped stuffies to flaxseed, wheat or lavender filled bags, microwavable heating bags are reusable and ready-to-go in as little as one minute. However, the treatment is generally very safe and you may feel it's worth trying instead of, or in addition to, the usual medical treatments. Trying TENS Turn on the TENS machine when the pads are attached in the correct places. You'll feel a slight tingling sensation pass through your skin.Healthcare professionals have reported that it seems to help some people, although how well it works depends on the individual and the condition being treated. you're pregnant, or there's a chance you might be pregnant – TENS may not be recommended early in pregnancy Reader, I must disclaim that, as someone who's currently sat on top of 1000-degree (read: a safe, not skin-burning temperature) hot water bottle, aspirin on board and feeling very sorry for myself, I'm well aware of the limitations of a period heating pad. Then again, when the period cramps feel so bad that it seems nothing - not a nap, not curling up in a ball on your bed and sobbing for relief - will help, heat therapy is always my next point of call, even if just to take the edge off. If you're thinking about trying TENS, it's a good idea to speak to a GP about a referral to a physiotherapist or pain clinic. You attach the pads directly to your skin. When the machine is switched on, small electrical impulses are delivered to the affected area of your body, which you feel as a tingling sensation.

Switch the TENS machine off after you've finished using it and remove the electrodes from your skin. Are there any risks of side effects? 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. While pricey, the app itself is likely to be the main draw for the unit as it allows for a more specific reading of where the pain/discomfort is on a scale from 1-10; once set by the user, the app will automatically start a programme that’s suitable, effectively eliminating any guesswork while also being intuitive and straightforward.Thanks to the use of soothing heat and the TENS treatment (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) for pain relief, the new EM 50 Menstrual Relax offers an effective alternative that negates the need for medication. The product enables menstrual cramps and pain caused by endometriosis to be treated in a targeted manner. Whether at home or on the go, the EM 50 Menstrual Relax can be placed discreetly on the skin of your lower tummy underneath clothing. It is made from medical-grade silicone, and its extremely thin and flexible design means it adapts perfectly to the area to be treated. The TENS program itself has 15 intensity levels and a heat setting. After a recommended application period of 20 minutes, the device switches off automatically. PRACTICAL: Powered by a rechargeable battery, the TENS and heat pad is suitable for use anywhere and can sustain 6 applications from a single charge. Can be rechargeable cordless or mains-operated devices. These range from wrap-around belts to pads that appear merely to be a small section of an electric blanket. You can even buy electric heating pads with a TENS or massage function. TENS may be able to help reduce pain and muscle spasms caused by a wide range of conditions including: Fibroids: Non-cancerous tumours that can grow in or around the womb and can make your periods heavy and painful.

A physiotherapist or pain specialist may be able to loan you a TENS machine for a short period if they think it could help. The Beurer EM50 is made to fit snugly and ergonomically to the shape of your lower belly, making it comfortable to wear wherever and whenever pain strikes.

How to use TENS

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.