Red Light Therapy for Menstrual Cramps - Pain Relief and Relaxation

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Red Light Therapy for Menstrual Cramps
• What are Menstrual Cramps, Types, and Causes
• How Red Light Therapy Works for Menstrual Pain
• Key Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Cramps
• Scientific Evidence Supporting Red Light Therapy
• Clinical Trials on Red Light Therapy for Menstrual Cramps
• How to Choose the Right Red Light Therapy Device
• High-Quality Red Light Therapy Devices from RLT Home
• Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance
• Conclusion: Red Light Therapy for Menstrual Cramps
• FAQs: Addressing Common Questions

Menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea refer to throbbing, cramping pains in the lower abdomen that most women experience just before and during menstruation. For some women, menstruation brings about slight discomfort, but for others, they endure severe pain that leads to frustration, tiredness, and perpetual anxiety. Because periods typically start in adolescence, some school girls who have unbearable pain even struggle to go to school.

A majority of women use conventional remedies to deal with this pain, e.g., painkillers and heat pads. Though they may offer momentary relief, they fail to remove the pain completely. Nevertheless, there is a noninvasive and drug-free remedy in the form of red light therapy. This therapy employs precise red and near-infrared light wavelengths that travel deep into tissues to bring about healing and relaxation. For menstrual cramps, red light therapy promotes increased blood flow, a diminishment of pain and inflammation, and natural relaxation of the muscles.

Here in this article, we will discuss how red light therapy for menstrual cramps works, its advantages, and what science has to say about this promising treatment.

Menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea are painful feelings that one experiences in the lower abdomen either before or during a woman's menstrual cycle. Pain begins 1 to 3 days before menstruation and normally peaks 24 hours after the onset of the period. It remits spontaneously 2 to 3 days post-period. Cramps are a result of the uterus contracting to shed its lining and briefly cutting off blood circulation to the area, resulting in cramping pain. The intensity of the pain varies from woman to woman; some notice only a mild discomfort, while others experience severe pain. Nausea, headache, and lightheadedness may accompany these cramps.

Types of Menstrual Cramps

Primary Dysmenorrhea

This is the most common type of menstrual cramps and usually begins in adolescence after menarche. The discomfort is related to normal uterine contraction and hormonal fluctuation, and not to an underlying disease process.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea

It is caused by a medical condition such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease. The cramps become more intense with each passing time and last longer than they ought to.

Causes of Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps are usually brought about by an excess production of prostaglandins (chemicals with a hormonal effect) that cause uterine contractions. Hormonal imbalance may also sensitize the uterus to pain. Other conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or infection, may also augment the pain.

Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy, is a painless and drug-free treatment. It is a noninvasive treatment that does not imply the use of harmful chemicals or sharp needles. Instead, it treats through the application of low wavelengths of red and near infrared light. The wavelengths penetrate into the skin very deeply and stimulate the body's natural healing processes.

The light only activates the activity of mitochondria in cells. The activation causes the mitochondria to produce more energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is essential for various processes that occur in cells, enabling cells to repair and regenerate better. The extra energy production enhances the proper functioning of cells as well as their capability for repairing themselves.

Used to relieve menstrual cramps, red light therapy acts upon cells and increases the production of nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a blood vessel-dilating substance that enables blood to circulate more freely throughout the body. This increased circulation brings more oxygen and nutrients into the cells while enabling waste products to be eliminated more effectively. The enhanced blood supply also relaxes abdominal and uterine muscles naturally, which actually decreases muscle cramps.

Red light therapy can also reduce the levels of C-reactive protein, a body marker of inflammation. Through the reduction of inflammation, it eliminates the bloating and swelling that characterize menstruation. In contrast to painkillers, which just suppress the pain, red light therapy acts at the cellular level to achieve real healing and offer long-term relief.

Red light therapy has become extremely popular due to the fact that it is now being researched in its applications for women's health. Red light therapy calms pain and enhances well-being naturally. Because it treats the cause of menstrual cramping, it is a natural long-term solution for the majority of women.

1) Natural Pain Relief

Red light therapy decreases pain by inducing endorphin release and uterine and abdominal muscle relaxation. This reduces the intensity of cramps without the use of medication.

2) Increased Blood Flow

Red light therapy increases the release of nitric oxide, which is a substance that opens up blood vessels. When blood becomes more freely available through widened vessels, cells gain more oxygen and nutrients while waste products are effectively removed.

3) Inflammation Reduction

Red light therapy works naturally to reduce swelling, bloating, and pain commonly associated with menstruation by suppressing the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

4) Drug Free and Noninvasive

Red light therapy is a drug-free and noninvasive treatment that utilizes low wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. These are harmless and tender to the skin and, in contrast to UV rays, do not produce undesirable side effects.

Red light therapy has been researched by many scientists to be utilized for pain relief and healing. Based on research, there exist some red and near infrared wavelengths that are capable of relieving pain naturally by causing the muscles to relax and enhancing the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced in the body. Research also identifies that the mentioned light increases the blood supply through vasodilation of the blood vessels, thus enabling more oxygen and nutrients to travel to the tissues. Not only is this enough to avoid cramping, but also recovery becomes quicker. Red light treatment has also been credited with reducing inflammation through sedation of the body chemicals, causing swelling and pain. These together make up a middle but efficient solution for women requiring pain relief from menstruation in a safe manner.

Study 1: Low-Level Light Therapy Procedure Using LED on Acupuncture Points for Menstrual Cramps.

Objective

The trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of low-level light therapy (LLLT) versus oral contraceptive pills (Marvelon) in alleviating menstrual pain and assessing the change in nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels among women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Results

A total of 156 women took part, and 135 finished the trial. Both groups had significant pain relief. The pill group had a higher decrease in pain scores than the light group. Prostaglandin E2 levels fell substantially in each group, but the difference between them was not significant. Nitric oxide levels did not change.

Conclusion

Low-level light therapy used on acupuncture points (CV4 and CV6) was almost as effective as pills in decreasing menstrual cramps. Although pills were slightly more effective, both regimens offered clinically significant relief, demonstrating that light therapy is a safe and drug-free option for treating menstrual cramps.

Study 2: Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Level Light Therapy in Primary Dysmenorrhea.

Objective

The research sought to determine if low-level light therapy was effective and safe in reducing menstrual pain among women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea.

Results

There were 88 women, with 44 in the placebo group and 44 in the light therapy group. Those receiving low-level light therapy had significantly more reduction in menstrual pain than those in the placebo group. The treatment was well tolerated, with no adverse side effects occurring.

Conclusion

Low-level light therapy is shown to be an effective and safe means of alleviating menstrual cramps, and it provides an alternative to drugs for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

You don't have to go to clinics regularly in order to derive the benefits of red light therapy. You can actually do red light therapy for menstrual cramps at home. But you should make sure that you buy a quality red light therapy device since many devices available are not well-equipped with the necessary features and may not be safe and effective for home use. You should look for the following characteristics in a device:

Specific Wavelength

Your device must emit therapeutic ranges of red and near-infrared light. For menstrual cramps, red wavelengths of 610, 630, 633, 650, and 660 nm, and near infrared light of 810, 830, 850, and 1064 nm will be beneficial. These wavelengths relax muscles, stimulate the release of endorphins, and naturally deflate swelling, bloating, and inflammation.

Safety Features

Your device must be FDA-approved or approved by a national governing body or backed by scientific research. These devices are heavily tested and proven safe and effective for use in the home.

Enough Power Output

The device has to output sufficient power to enable the light to penetrate deep into the tissues effectively.

Cooling System

The unit must have an auto-cooling system to avoid overheating and save you from side effects resulting from excessive heat.

Adjustable Intensity

The unit must provide adjustable intensity so that you can adjust the light to suit your comfort and requirements.

Portability

An ideal unit must be light and portable, and you can carry it wherever you want without missing any sessions.

You can purchase a great red light therapy device at RLT Home. The company offers a few nicely constructed devices that produce the proper wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, which enter deeply into the skin to promote natural healing and relaxation. RLT Home devices are FDA-cleared and also possess other safety and quality approvals, such as CE and RoHS. They employ medically graded LEDs and provide sufficient power output for effective therapy.

They are easy to use at home, enabling you to benefit from red light therapy without the need to visit a clinic. They are safe, soft on the skin, and can be used on a daily basis. People experience fewer cramps, reduced bloating, and general increased comfort after repeated use. The devices are also durable and portable, so it is easy to continue with therapy on the go, anywhere, anytime.

Applying red light therapy successfully is all about the right dosage, like frequency of use, duration per session, and distance of the device from your body. For menstrual cramps, the majority of experts suggest beginning with brief sessions of 10 to 15 minutes, one to two times daily. This gives your body time to adapt to the treatment without being overwhelmed. You can gradually increase the frequency as time passes, depending on how tolerable your body is and the severity of your pain.

The distance between the device and your skin also matters. Having it too close will cause minor irritation, while having it too distant will be less effective. A general guideline is to have the device about 6 to 12 inches from the skin. Adhering to the right session length, frequency, and distance allows you to reap the best benefits of red light therapy without risk and in a relaxed way from the comfort of your own home.

Why are More Women Turning to Red Light Therapy for Menstrual Cramps?

More women are turning to red light therapy for menstrual cramps because it helps reduce pain and relax abdominal muscles by stimulating the production of endorphins and improving blood flow. This therapy has gained immense popularity because it is safe and does not cause any side effects.

What are the Dangers of Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is generally safe and does not cause side effects. However, personal errors, such as placing the device too close or using it for too long, can sometimes lead to mild skin redness and irritation. These side effects are temporary and usually fade quickly.

Does red light help with menstrual cramps?

Yes, red light therapy helps with menstrual cramps by stimulating the production of endorphins and relaxing the muscles.

What stops period cramps immediately?

There’s no guaranteed way to stop period cramps instantly, but applying heat, massaging the lower abdomen, or taking over-the-counter pain relievers can provide quick relief. 

Where not to use red light therapy?

There’s no guaranteed way to stop period cramps instantly, but applying heat, massaging the lower abdomen, or taking over-the-counter pain relievers can provide quick relief.

References

1. Comparative evaluation of low-level light therapy and ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel combined oral contraceptive for clinical efficacy and regulation of serum biochemical parameters in primary dysmenorrhoea: a prospective randomised multicentre trial.
2. Randomized controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of self-adhesive low-level light therapy in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Learn More

• Red Light Therapy for Menopause - Supporting Women’s Health Naturally
• Red Light Therapy for Ovarian Cysts - Simple Health Tips
• Red Light Therapy for Fibroids - Benefits and Insights
• Red Light Therapy for Infertility : Enhancing Reproductive Health