Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and primary dysmenorrhea: A case report

Primary dysmenorrhea is pelvic pain during the menstrual cycle. The A delta and C fibers are sensitized by the increased release of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, thus causing pain. Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a physiotherapeutic strategy that mitigates pain sensation. Objective: The aim of this paper is to present six cases of women in childbearing age who were diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea and received transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. Materials and methods: A type of study, case report, was conducted with six women between 15 and 25 years of age with medical diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea. We assessed pain intensity utilizing the visual analogue pain scale and located the pain by using a pain test map. Results: Pain intensity decreased in all treated women. Conclusion: Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is a physiotherapeutic strategy that mitigates pain sensation. We conclude that high frequency TENSis a safe noninvasive modality to achieve reduction of pain in primary dysmenorrhea.