After struggling with endometriosis and excruciatingly painful periods for the last decade, it’s fair to say I’m a little sceptical of many products that claim to ease period pains.
My hours of writhing around in bed, frantically Googling all kinds of solutions have confirmed what I already knew to be true: not all pain-relieving tools are created equally and plenty of them are only about as strong as a dose of Ibuprofen.
But times have changed and with them comes the rise of period pain-relieving products that actually work. While some of these devices offer near-instant relief, others, like supplements, require a little more of a long-term approach. The most effective choice? A combination of the below to tackle your pain from all angles.
And, for best results, pair with a large bar of your favourite chocolate and a mantra that this too shall pass.
Dr Zahra Ameen, Consultant Gynaecologist at the Cadogan Clinic, shared her thoughts on painful periods and a few ways to ease them: “Dysmenorrhea (the medical term for period pain) affects up to 70 per cent of women and there are two types: primary dysmenorrhea or common period pain, which normally begins a day or two before menstruation, or secondary dysmenorrhea, which occurs when there are problems with the reproductive organs and causes extreme pain which may be debilitating.
“If you have concerns about your periods - in particular if you have just started your periods, or there’s been a sudden change in the nature of your periods (for example if they are suddenly heavier, more painful, irregular or if you have bloating and/or pressure symptoms), it’s important to seek a medical opinion from your GP or gynaecologist.
“Hormonal contraception can be very useful in women who suffer from heavy periods or endometriosis to help treat dysmenorrhoea or pelvic pain, like the combined oral contraceptive pill and the Mirena coil. Lifestyle changes can help ease some of the symptoms, like exercise, which releases serotonin and endorphins and improves blood flow.”
Dr Nitu, obstetrician-gynaecologist and WUKA women’s health expert, added: “Painful periods can affect women at any stage of their reproductive life, though periods tend to become less painful as you age. Heat helps to relax the uterine muscles and by dilating the blood vessels to the uterus, it helps to wash away the pain inducing prostaglandin chemicals.
“Adopting a predominantly whole food, plant-based diet rich in fibre and antioxidants and filled with plenty of fruit, vegetables, beans, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices, can also help reduce period pains. Certain tests such as pelvic scans and blood tests may be needed to help reach a diagnosis but remember that there is plenty of effective medical help available.”
We’ve rounded up all of the best tried-and-tested products to ease period pains.
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Hyperice Venom 2 Back
Hyperice products are usually reserved for gym bunnies who struggle with aching muscles post heavy workout. But the Venom 2 Back is a secret weapon when it comes to alleviating period pain, too. Known as the most advanced heat and massage wrap on the market, it heats up six times faster than a standard heating pad and provides instant, soothing relief to sore muscles or a cramp-y stomach.
Sure, this heat pad is a little larger than you’d probably want to wear out the house. But if you’re stuck at home struggling with pain, it’s like wrapping a giant hot water bottle around your stomach and back: bliss.
Buy now £269.00, Hyperice
Period Harmony Monthly Patch
For those times when period pains stand in the way of peaceful slumber, you’ll want these patches on hand. While they won’t remove cramps entirely, they are infused with menthol that feels tingly and cooling as soon as it’s applied. This main ingredient is set alongside eucalyptus and boswellia, the latter of which has been used for centuries to calm inflammation. It is incredibly long-lasting where we could still feel the soothing effects after a full eight hour slumber.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Livia Period Pain Relief Device
If you’re impressed by Myoovi’s kit but want something a little more streamlined, check out Livia. This similar-looking device is a smaller version that uses a similar TENS machine process to relieve pain.
The device is designed to clip comfortably onto your waistband or be placed discreetly in your pocket, when you’ll start to feel a slight vibration (although it’s not painful) and pain will magically start to disappear.
You can also adjust the micro-pulses to your preferred intensity, depending on your level of pain. This award-winning device is one of the best in the fem-tech world for a good reason.
Buy now £89.99, MyLivia
Rejuvenated Female Hormone Support
Rejuvenated’s Female Hormone Support brings together almost everything your body needs to be working at its peak during your periods, with a wide range of natural ingredients designed to keep your body from feeling overwhelmed.
Its blend of pfaffia, hops, schizandra and reishi helps calm and alleviate stress and promoting hormone balance, while its black cohosh helps to reduce menstrual cramps. Hemp extract, alfalfa and red clover also all support healthy oestrogen levels and its calming blend of herbs, schizandra berry, and reishi mushroom can reduce mood swings and irritability.
Buy now £24.95, Rejuvenated
Therabody RecoveryTherm Hot Vibration Back and Core
Another piece of health-tech that fuses the gap between achy muscles and menstrual cramps, TheraBody’s RecoveryTherm Hot Vibration Back and Core is a thing of wonder when it comes to reducing period pains. This compression device wraps around you with firm pressure, massaging and heating your body while reducing pain from all areas.
It’s designed to offer relief for everything from menstrual cramps through to muscle tweaks, chronic lower back pain and more, making it one of the most versatile devices in your household.
Buy now £217.49, Therabody
BeYou patches
BeYou’s Monthly Patches were the most frequently recommended period pain product when we asked around and these budget friendly patches do far more than their low price point suggests. Rather than heating up like many devices, these patches work by cooling.
Designed specifically for period pain, they’re discreet and lightweight, so you’re free to stick one on at work or during a busy day out without obviously having something stuck to your stomach or back. Made up of the brand’s proprietary matrix arrangement of Menthol and Eucalyptus molecules, these fast-acting patches tingle for a full 12 hours and are regularly recommended as being a top choice for endometriosis sufferers.
Buy now £7.99, BeYou
Immver Heat Pad
Another seriously cosy device that you’ll probably stick to wearing around the house (although no judgement if you want to bring it to the office) is Immver’s Heat Pad. A midpoint between your dressing gown, a thick blanket, and a heat pad, this sleeveless jumper-style device is maybe the most comforting thing you can wear when struggling with period pains.
Its all-in-one design relieves pain without compressing your stomach - great if you struggle with period bloating - while its soft, cuddly material provides a little extra warmth and reassurance along the way.
Bonus points for how quickly it heats up - you may even find yourself wearing this device during winter on those days when it’s not quite cold enough to turn on the heating yet.
Buy now £33.99, Amazon
ByQuanna Period care bundle
ByQuanna targets period pain from a slightly different angle, focusing around making your periods a little more comfortable while you struggle through the inevitable days of pain. The Period Care Bundle features 10 Oomf sheets of CBD lubricant which can be used when you’re inserting a tampon. The result? Eased pains from within, literally.
The CBD has vasodilatory effects, which means it can help to promote blood flow, relax muscles and ease tension, supporting you where it counts. The pack also includes a Restore CBD bath bomb: another source of comfort when thrown into a long, hot bath.
Buy now £28.00, ByQuanna
Beurer EM50 Menstrual Relax
Beurer’s TENS Menstrual Relax EM50 is a great midpoint if you’re looking for more general pain relief without strapping an entire device around your body. Sleek and discreet, this device provides natural relief from menstrual and endometriosis pain with 15 TENS intensity levels and a heavy dose of soothing warmth.
The EM50 works to stop pain signals and relax the muscles and can also be charged by USB, so great for bringing along on weekends away without fiddling around with endless cables. A popular choice for endometriosis sufferers, it ticks all the boxes for straightforward and fuss-free pain relief.
Buy now £60.00, Argos
Wild Nutrition Food-Grown Premenstrual Complex
Unlike many nutrition supplements, Wild Nutrition’s Premenstrual Complex was designed specifically for women. A popular choice for women going through all kinds of hormonal stages (period pains through to pre-menopause and the menopause itself), these capsules are made from organic botanical ingredients that have been traditionally used to support healthy hormonal processes that play a role in the female cycle.
Magnesium is often recommended as being beneficial for alleviating period pains: one of the most prominent ingredients in these capsules. Combined with Dong Quai root powder and Organic Milk Thistle powder, these capsules promise to help to calm your body from the inside out.
Buy now £29.00, Planet Organic
Myoovi Kit
Myoovi’s impressive kit uses TENS technology to interrupt the pain signals that go to your brain, which means that, rather than alleviating your pain, it actually stops you from feeling it in the first place. TENS machines have been used for years as a form of pain relief anyway, but the design of Myoovi’s kit means it targets menstrual pain specifically.
One of the most popular TENS kits around, Myoovi comes highly rated by pretty much everyone who tries it. Myoovi pads sit seamlessly across the hips and stomach with a wide butterfly design that covers a large area for faster, effective pain relief. If you’re used to cancelling plans due to awful pains, don’t fret: this machine is wire-free and discreet, slipping easily under your clothes.
Buy now £59.99, Myoovi
Verdict
Pleasingly, it was a struggle to choose just one product for our top pick: something that seemed a world away for period pain sufferers only a few years ago. But for a versatile product that you can carry around anywhere, we’d pick the Myoovi Kit.
