<p>Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Primary Dysmenorrhea: An Overview</p>

Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhea is a chronic health condition that affects primarily young women. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been suggested as an effective pain reduction modality in primary dysmenorrhea. TENS is a noninvasive, inexpensive, portable method with minimal risks and a few contraindications. When necessary, it can be self-administered on a daily basis during everyday activities. Several studies have investigated the effectiveness of TENS in reducing pain, decreasing the use of analgesics, and improving the quality of life in primary dysmenorrhea patients. These studies have some limitations in methodological quality and therapeutic validation. However, the overall positive effects of TENS in primary dysmenorrhea encountered in all prior studies indicated its potential value. This review presents the clinical recommendations for TENS parameters for treating primary dysmenorrhea symptoms based on previously published studies.

Acupuncture for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Potential Mechanism from an Anti-Inflammatory Perspective

“…An animal study had correspondingly focused on the effect of TENS on the process of wound healing from the perspective of proinflammatory cytokine expression and had found that TENS had significantly mitigated the immunoreaction of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the dermis compared with other treatments, indicating that TENS had shortened the healing process by inhibiting the inflammatory responses [121]. Meanwhile, studies had verified the effectiveness of TENS in reducing menstrual pain and improving the quality of life in patients with dysmenorrhea [122][123][124]. Compared with treatment methods such as acupuncture, TEAS has also eased restrictions on in-hospital treatment.…”

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for women with primary dysmenorrhea: Study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial with economic evaluation

“…As such, the results of the present study may contribute to the PD research agenda. Although TENS is used to treat PD symptoms [ 16 ] and has been shown to reduce pain with minimum adverse effects [ 15 ], the studies are considered of low to moderate quality [ 16 ] and lack information on parameters and clinical considerations [ 15 ], which makes it difficult to compare results and to establish the best parameters of electrical stimulation. Understanding whether TENS is really cost-effective for PD pain treatment opens possibilities to include this resource as a recommendation, and with that, call the attention of both professionals and women to the fact that PD can be treated.…”

“…Nonetheless, they may present a failure rate of 20-25% and adverse effects such as indigestion, headaches, and drowsiness [10]. Consequently, nonpharmacological alternatives may be used to obtain symptom relief; the most common are regular physical activity [11], topical heat [12], acupuncture [13], and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) [14][15][16][17].…”

“…TENS is recommended for women not willing to use conventional therapy for PD, with a recommendation level B [ 23 ]. TENS has been widely used for pain relief in PD [ 15 – 17 , 24 , 25 ], but the lack of information on the parameters used, randomization, and outcomes renders it difficult to replicate such studies [ 14 , 16 ].…”

Comparison of the effect of Chamomile and Mefenamic Acid on primary dysmenorrhea, associated symptoms and menstrual bleeding – A randomized clinical trial study

“…Prostaglandins can cause severe uterine contractions, fatigue, dizziness, headache, nervous change and other related symptoms (5)(6)(7). There are several treatments for primary dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms, including contraceptive pills (8,9), vitamin E compounds (10), vitamin D (10)(11)(12), sh oil supplements (13), diet (14), exercise and physical activity (15), acupuncture (16), topical heat (17), psychotherapy (18) and Nonsteroidal anti-in ammatory drugs (NSAIDs).…”