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What We Tested This Week: Livia Menstrual Pain Relief Device
Who This Is Perfect For: Those who live with period pain
Cramps are the effing worst, aren’t they?
At the risk of venturing into TMI territory, I get those can’t-get-out-of-bed cramps thanks to a chronic hormonal disorder called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It comes with a slew of tragic symptoms, one of them being ridiculously painful periods. I’ll spare you all the gory details, but trust me when I say that on a scale from one to 10, my menstrual pain level is usually an 11.
And I’m not alone. Over 84% of women suffer from dysmenorrhea (aka cramps), and doctors have even confirmed that period pain hurts “as bad as a heart attack.”
That’s where my new bestie Livia comes in. Livia, an FDA-approved wearable device, utilizes transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation to zap your cramps and provide pain relief. It features two electrodes that you stick on your lower abdomen to stimulate the nerves, transmitting unique pulses to block the signals that cause pain.
I know this magic sounds too good to be true, but I can confirm it’s as effective as the brand claims it is. I was truly surprised to discover how much the Livia helped alleviate my discomfort — and how fast the device started to work. Within 5 minutes of wearing this device, my cramps went from excruciating to almost nonexistent.
The Livia is also super cute, portable, and discreet enough to where you can clip it on your waistband and wear it inconspicuously throughout the day. No need to reserve it for when you’re buried under blankets (although I would not judge you one bit if you chose to use it like this instead).
If you don’t want to take my word for it, you can rest assured knowing that 80% of women in a recent clinical study said that Livia allowed them to drastically or completely eliminate the use of pain medications. Bless you, Livia!
I’m obsessed. Period.
Pros
- Alleviates menstrual pain
- Chic and compact enough to wear in public
- Cuts down the need for pain medication
- Works quickly
Cons
- More expensive than Advil
Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.
