Breakthrough Pain Relief For Menstrual Pain
Dysmenorrhoea, commonly known as period or menstrual pain, affects almost two thirds of women worldwide and is a leading cause of absence from school and work.
Researchers have recently studied the benefits of a heat patch applied to the lower abdomen for menstrual pain relief.
Two studies compared the effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, (ibuprofen or paracetamol) against a heat patch in women suffering from period pain.
The results of these studies showed that the women treated with heat patches experienced equal or better pain relief than the women treated with either of the NSAIDs.
Researchers also found that there was significantly decreased fatigue, fewer mood swings and less lower abdominal cramping with heat therapy.
FlexEze was the style of heat patch used in this study.
The outcome of these studies demonstrates that women can get the same (if not better) degree of pain relief from muscle spasm and cramping periods from using a self-adhesive heat patch with no adverse effects, as taking potentially harmful anti-inflammatory drugs.
The use of NSAIDs as a first-line treatment for menstrual pain is already limited due to the wide range of adverse effects associated with these drugs, including gastrointestinal damage, so it is encouraging that evidence is now supporting the benefits of natural treatment alternatives.
FlexEze Heat Patches provide 12 hours of continuous low level heat therapy.
Heat patches are known pain relief for back pain, but work wonders for women experiencing period pain.
Unlike a hot water bottle or wheat bag, they are convenient and discreet, allowing women to move about freely with the heat patch attached to their underclothing.
Further Reading:
References:
Akin, M. et al. 2004, Continuous, low-level, topical heat wrap therapy as compared to acetaminophen for primary dysmenorrhea, Journal of Reproductive Medicine
Rigi, N. et al. 2012, Comparing the analgesic effect of heat patch containing iron chip and ibuprofen for primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial, BMC Women’s Health,