Wearable device aims to end period pain

A new piece of wearable tech that offers an alternative to medication for women suffering with painful periods is being launched. Retailing at $85, Livia is a small box containing two sticky pads that are placed on the skin, linked to an interface that can be clipped onto clothing. The device stimulates the nerves to activate the “gate control theory”, effectively blocking pain signals and reducing discomfort. Professor Bari Kaplan, one of the medical advisors to the project said: “The method Livia uses has been proven effective in several clinical studies and I strongly recommend the use of the device to relieved PMS pain at any time”.

Menstruating women have very few options to beat period pain and get on with their lives. Pain-killers are the common option. There is a brand new option to switch off the menstrual pain, a wearable device named Livia, claims to switch off Menstrual pain.

Livia, a device that “turns off” period pain, wants to help you fight Aunt Flo by stopping the pain straight at the source.

The company claims that it works even faster than taking pain medication, and comes with other long-term benefits. Not only is it safe and fast, but it will last for several years.

The Livia is a small square and can be clipped onto your waistband or pocket.

Its simple interface includes an on/off switch and plus and minus buttons that allow you to control the level of stimulation. Attached to the main device you have two electrodes and sticky pads that you pop on your tummy or back, depending where you feel the worst pain.

“Over 50% of women suffer from primary menstrual cramps, for which they consume large amounts of painkillers. Livia uses a pain relief method that does not involve drug consumption. The idea is to close the ‘pain gates,’” explained Professor Bari Kaplan of Women’s Hospital – Beilinson on the campaign’s Indiegogo page. “The device stimulates the nerves, making it impossible for pain to pass. The method Livia uses has been proven effective in several clinical studies and I strongly recommend the use of the device to relieved PMS pain at any time.”

While founder and CEO of Livia, Chen Nachum, insists that they’ve so far tested the device on 163 women in two different trials, with more than 80 percent of them reporting pain-relieving effects, we’re yet to see the results for ourselves in a peer-reviewed study, so there’s still a whole lot we don’t know about this particular device.

According to Professor Bari Kaplin, one of the medical advisors who worked on the Livia, the electrical pulses stimulate the nerves and make it impossible for pain to pass. This method of pain relief isn’t new and is called the “Gate Control Theory.” The pulses from the device send a signal to the wearer’s nerves to keep them busy. By keeping nerves busy, its gates remain closed so pain can’t be passed through or felt.

Right now the device is still in the funding stage, but since they’ve raised more than twice the money they expected to, you can actually pre-order them (to arrive this October). Since it’s still early, the jury is out on whether it will definitely work for you. But so far, the reviews are good and the device is a step in the right direction.

They currently retail for $85, though that price will go up a bit after the funding stage is over.

Source – Livia – The Off Switch for Menstrual Pain