Best Pain Relief for Period Pain in Australia

 

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

 

When period pain hits, it can be debilitating. The good news is that there are several effective ways to manage and reduce period pain. In this article, we'll explore the best pain relief options available in Australia, and guide you through their pros, cons, and evidence that supports their efficacy.

We go through 7 ways to help relieve period pain and their pro's and con's.

 

Alternative Period Pain Relief Options

Medication (NSAIDs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Nurofen and Naprogesic can be effective in reducing period pain. This can be used in combination with the other methods below and is most effective when taken prior to onset.

Pros	Cons
Fast-acting	Potential side effects
Widely available	Not suitable for everyone

6) Hot Water Bottles

Hot water bottles can be a traditional and effective method for relieving period pain by providing soothing heat. They can be dangerous however (exploding risk and leak risk) and while they are alright to use at home, they cannot be used outside the house. Heat is known to help period pain.

Pros	Cons
Easy to use	Bulky
Affordable	Must be replaced every 6 months
	Dangerous
	Not portable

5) Wheat bags

Wheat bags are a safer alternative to hot water bottles. They can be wrapped on your stomach to help relieve pain. They do however smell very strongly and are not very portable. Heat is known to help period pain.

 

Pros	Cons
Fast-acting	Very strong smell
Widely available	Not portable
Inexpensive	Don't stay warm for long
	Have to be completely cold before reheating

4) Raspberry leaf tea

While there is no scientific evidence that Raspberry leaf tea works for period pain, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence.

Note, do NOT use if pregnant as it has been known to induce labour.

Pros	Cons
Easy and tastes nice	No evidence it actually works
No negative side effects

3) TENS

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Simulation and passes a small electrical current into your skin between two points in the skin to simulate the nerves. It is thought to block the pain sensors from reaching the brain. While it helps somewhat with pain, it is not a 'one stop shop'. As soon as the TENS machine is removed, the pain is still there. Therefore it is something to use in combination with other methods and not by itself. A few aussie brands have TENs machines on the market such as Ovira, however they have been marked in recent controversy over misleading practices and copyright claims.

Pros	Cons
Fast-acting	Not suitable for everyone
	Pain relief does not last once removed
	Stand-alone method

 

2) Invisiwarm TENS

Invisiwarm TENS combines heat therapy, massage therapy and TENS to tackle period pain effectively. This three-in-one period pain relief machine is an all-in-one solution.  Heat is known to help period pain.

Pros	Cons
Triple action	More expensive
Portable	Doesn't get as hot as Invisiwarm
Instant action

1) Revisiting Our Top Recommendation: Invisiwarm

Let's circle back to Invisiwarm, our top recommendation. Invisiwarm is a highly effective period pain relief belt that employs heat therapy. It’s lightweight, discreet, and can be worn under clothing. While the Invisiwarm TENS is ideal for period pain due to its triple-action, the plain Invisiwarm belt is perfect for those who find heat to really work for their cramps and is a more budget-friendly option.

Conclusion

There are various options for period pain relief, from hot water bottles to specialised devices like Invisiwarm TENS and Invisiwarm. Often, a combination of methods is needed to effectively manage pain. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice and information.