Menstrual pain is a monthly struggle for most women. Now, a new medical device is claiming that it can turn off the much dreaded period pain using high-frequency nerve stimulation.
Livia, a campaign from Indiegogo, is being promoted as the "off-switch for menstrual pain." Women commonly use pain relievers or oral contraceptive pills to tide themselves through period pains. Livia, on the other hand, isn't based on any drugs.
How Livia Works
Company founder and CEO Chen Nachum said Livia uses a high-frequency nerve stimulation called TENS. This technology allows the tiny device to close the nerve-gate in the human body and block any pain signals. Women just need to attach Livia's pulse stickers to where they feel pain, and the intensity of the devices can be adjusted based on the discomfort they are feeling.
TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, are pulses that range around 50 and 120 hertz at a low intensity, Vox reported. TENS are also used in other devices that electronically stimulate nerves in a person's back or neck.
Livia, which comes in a variety of cute colors, was clinically tested on 163 women, Indiegogo's website noted. Livia has internal batteries that should be charged through a USB cable for around 15 hours.
Reception & How To Purchase
Popular international women's magazines including Cosmopolitan and Glamour commended Livia. Indiegogo's campaign for Livia is in partnership with Tross Creative House and has now gained above $284,000 from 3,000 crowdfunders globally, Vox wrote.
You can purchase your own Livia kit on Indiegogo's website. The device can be bought starting from $85, but you have to wait until October 2016 before it can be delivered to your doorstep.
TENS Already Being Used For Period Pain
OB-GYN and pain medicine specialist Jen Gunter said TENS' capacity to alleviate period pain is credible. She added that she has been using the technology to her patients to relieve their menstrual pain for over 15 years now, Vox reported.
Gunter, however, questioned how Livia will be different from the other TENS devices already out in the market. Some TENS devices only cost about $35, so Indiegogo's Livia appears to be an overpriced version.
Medical Marijuana Treats Period Pain
Medical marijuana is being recognized for its ability to alleviate pain from various illnesses. Just recently, Whoopi Goldberg partnered with Maya Elisabeth for a medical-marijuana company that aims to relieve women's monthly period pain. The brand called Whoopi & May was formally launched in April and sells soothing rubs, edibles and bath soaks based on medical marijuana, Elle listed.
