Heat therapy using heating pads is a safe, easy and convenient means to manage period pain without the use of painkillers.

Girls and women who go through their menstrual cycle every month can vouch for the discomfort on those tough days. In addition to all other symptoms that the menstrual cycle or period puts you through — bloating, breakouts, period rashes, fatigue, mood swings, and cravings — there’s period pain as well. The intense throbbing and cramping pain called primary dysmenorrhea, or period cramps, could be mild for some and intense for others. The pain adds to the discomfort, affects quality of life, and is debilitating at times. While many means, including painkillers, have been tried and tested, experts suggest heating pads as a safe, convenient and non-pharmacological means to manage period pain.

Understanding Menstrual Cramps

Primary dysmenorrhea (period cramps) is a common condition in menstruating people. The pain is caused due to uterine contractions, which typically happen just before and during your periods. The chemical culprits here are prostaglandins released by the breakdown of endometrial cells lining the uterus.

The painful cramps affect the quality of life. To escape the intense pain, many take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) as painkillers. But are painkillers safe for period pain?

Nowadays, most people tend to take NSAIDs for treating period pain even without a dysmenorrhea diagnosis. This can lead to many side effects.

Most people normalise period pain and do not seek medical help. With the continued use of self-medication (NSAIDs) without professional intervention, there is always a potential risk for an increase in side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbance, stomach irritation, ulcers, and kidney damage.

The Role of Heat Therapy

A very simple and feasible solution to manage period pain or cramps is using heat therapy which provides relief with no side effects whatsoever and is easy and convenient. Heat causes vasodilation which increases blood circulation and causes the uterine muscle to relax, thereby reducing pain, spasms, and stiffness. It also prevents the build-up of lactic acid in muscles, which can otherwise cause pain. Heat also alters the pain perception by altering signals to the brain.

Various types of heating pads are available for cramps. You can choose from hot water bottles, electric heating pads, microwavable heat pads and chemical-driven heat patches.

Hot water bags are a good way to use heat therapy. However, they carry a risk of burns and water spillage. The process to use it is also cumbersome as you need to boil the water and pour it into the bag. Doctors warn that prolonged and repetitve contact of skin with the hot water bag can cause erythema ab igne (brown-red rashes). Microwavable heat pads require prior heating and also have risk of high temperature and risk of burns. Chemical heat pads are not reusable and can cause skin irritation. 

Which is the best method to provide heat therapy?

Portable electric heating pads are one of the best alternatives to provide heat therapy when in period pain. Heat helps to relax muscles, improve blood flow, and reduce tension, offering a drug-free solution to alleviate discomfort. This gentle approach not only eases physical symptoms but also contributes to a more relaxed and focused state of mind.

1. Controlled and Quick heating: It provides you the option to select between 3 heating temperature modes thereby reducing the chances of skin damage and burns. The heating process is also very quick.

2. Vibration therapy: Along with 3 heating modes, the device also provides 4 modes of vibrations. User can choose the mode according to the intensity of pain.

3. Easy to carry: Wireless heating pads are compact and portable. Because they are rechargeable using a normal USB cable, they can be used anytime, anywhere.

How to use heating pads effectively

The intensity of the pain and the level of discomfort differs from person to person. So, there are no hard and fast rules as to how exactly and for how long one should use heating pads. However, experts share some tips to make the use of heating pads for period pain more effective.

Since heating pads have the potential to reduce period cramps, you can use them for a period of 10 to 30 minutes.

One can also apply heat pads for up to 20 minutes, three times a day for better action. Always use a low heat setting, and avoid usage on broken skin. If needed, reduce the exposure to heat by wrapping a sheet or towel around it and never fall asleep with these on.

Takeaways:

• Period cramps or primary dysmenorrhea causes period pain in girls and women going through their menstrual cycle and affects their quality of life.
• Heat therapy — through hot water bottles, electric heating pads, microwavable heat pads and chemical-driven heat patches — is an alternative non-pharmacological means to treat period cramps.
• While using heating pads for period pain, the heat brings about vasodilation. This increases blood circulation and blood supply to the pelvic region, causing the uterine muscles to relax. Thus, it reduces pain, spasms, and stiffness.