Brittany Barreto, Ph.D., is a podcaster, entrepreneur, and molecular and human geneticist. (In other words, she’s really smart.) Read her column here each month to find out what’s happening in the world of women’s health technology and innovation.
Painful periods can be more than just an inconvenience. Menstrual pain, officially called dysmenorrhea, affects up to 9 out of 10 people who menstruate at some point in their lives. However, in 5 to 10% of women, cramps can be severe enough to interfere with work, school, or daily life.
Traditional treatments like over-the-counter painkillers or heating pads don’t work for everyone. But thanks to advances in wearable and neuromodulation technology, new tools offer drug-free ways to treat menstrual cramps and even help some users reduce heavy blood flow and fatigue.
Here’s a look at four new devices designed to interrupt menstrual pain signals: Livia, OhmBody, Jovi And Queller.
Livia: “Turn off” menstrual cramps with micro-impulses.
(Photo/Courtesy of Livia)
Livia is a compact, wearable, FDA-cleared device that uses patented SmartWave micro-pulse technology to block pain signals before they reach the brain. The device is worn discreetly under clothing and delivers gentle electrical impulses to the lower abdomen.
This approach, based on the gate control theory of pain, reduces pain perception and stimulates endorphin release. Relief can begin within 30 to 60 seconds of turning on.
Several double-blind, randomized clinical trials have shown that Livia significantly reduces pain in people with primary dysmenorrhea (period pain without an underlying disease). Livia is FDA approved, approved by Health Canada, and has a CE mark for use in the European Union.
The device will be sold online and through major US retailers such as CVS. However, this is currently not covered by insurance, requiring users to pay for the device out of pocket.
OhmBody: A brain-based approach to lighter, calmer cycles
OhmBody takes a different approach than Livia, targeting the vagus and trigeminal nerves via small earbuds rather than the stomach. These nerves help regulate the body’s “rest-and-digest” response versus “fight-or-flight” response, which can be helpful during menstruation when the nervous system frequently goes into stress mode. OhmBody’s gentle neurostimulation aims to relieve pain, reduce blood loss and improve mood.
OhmBody has been clinically tested for safety. The peer-reviewed study was conducted by Spark Biomedical, OhmBody’s parent company, and was very small – but the early results were promising. In this pilot trial with 16 participants, use of the wearable neurostimulation device was associated with a reduction in menstrual blood loss, shorter periods, and improvements in pain and quality of life.
While these results are encouraging, it is important to note that OhmBody is currently marketed as a wellness device and not a medical treatment. This means that the treatment for menstrual cramps is not FDA-approved and is not covered by insurance. If you want to use OhmBody, you must purchase it directly from the company and pay out of pocket. You may be able to use money from your HSA or FSA account to purchase OhmBody, but you’ll need to check your plan’s rules to find out.
Jovi: A reusable patch without electricity
Jovi looks like a flexible sticker, but uses a unique signal filtering technology made from microscopic conductive particles to relieve pain. Unlike OhmBody and Livia, Jovi does not send impulses to the body, but rather “absorbs and redirects” pain signals, similar to blocking out static on a radio.
Jovi patches can be worn anywhere on the body and are reusable for up to a year. They are drug-free and water-resistant. As wellness devices, they are not FDA approved but are eligible for HSA/FSA purchases. Although Jovi’s approach differs from electrical or heat-based devices, it is still an emerging technology. Initial customer feedback has been positive and many users report noticeable relief, although additional independent research would help confirm effectiveness. Jovi is available online in the US and prices start at $159 per patch.
Queller: Menstrual care that starts in the brain
(Photo/Courtesy of Samphire)
Samphire Neuroscience is a London-based company developing groundbreaking brain-based approaches to menstrual health, treating both menstrual problems and hormone-related mood swings. The first product, Nettle, is a CE-certified medical device (meaning it meets strict health, safety and environmental requirements in the EU) and is intended to help treat pain and mood swings associated with PMS, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and endometriosis. Nettle is currently only available in the EU and UK.
Samphire’s upcoming US device, Lutea, uses similar non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS), a gentle, weak electrical current applied to the scalp via electrodes. Clinical studies show that tDCS can safely modulate brain activity associated with mood and pain perception.
Lutea is marketed as a wellness device, meaning it makes no medical claims and is not yet approved by the FDA. The company assumes that approval will be sought as research expands. In fact, Samphire is actively recruiting participants to study their product’s ability to modulate pain and emotional regulation in patients with endometriosis in London and California. Pre-orders are available for US buyers, but there is no insurance coverage – and the price is high, starting at $589.
From pain to progress
For decades, women have had limited and often unsatisfactory options for relieving menstrual cramps. Now a wave of wearable and brain-based technologies is offering new hope and proving that innovation in women’s health is finally catching up.
However, most of these devices are not yet insured and are not intended to replace medical care. Anyone who suffers from severe pain, heavy bleeding, or conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids should speak to a doctor before using any new devices.
These tools represent an important shift that means menstrual problems are no longer something women have to deal with, but rather something that science can actually solve.
The information about products and/or services in this column does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by HealthyWomen. The links are provided solely as a convenience and for informational purposes. This column occasionally features companies in which Brittany Barreto invests.
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