Ménage à moi: why a vibrator is your new must-have period pain remedy
By Nikki Michelsen
Oct 7, 2022
The Multiple Benefits of Your Vibrator
Are you tired of reheating your water bottle? Popping paracetamol? Anything to relieve general muscle tension or period cramps? What if we told you that sextech could help you out with your period-induced pains?
Enter vibration technology. You may only associate vibrators with providing sexual pleasure, but let us guide you on the benefits of it’s pain relief!
Firstly, what actually causes muscle tension?
You know that back-ache you get now and again? Well, we don’t even realise it, but it is mostly caused by the effects of stress on the muscles. Whenever there is a perceived threat, the body releases the hormone cortisol which taps into the protein stores to engage the muscles ready for fight, flight or freeze.
In early humans, these perceived threats would have been predators. However, in today’s society, there are few real threats. Our body’s natural life saving response is often triggered by harmless events, such as an upcoming presentation at work. Though a little stress can give us that boost to act when necessary, excessive stress does more harm than good.
When the muscle contract for periods of time it causes long term muscle pains. You know those painful “knots” you can feel during a massage? That is a result of the body’s nervous system during these muscle contractions which reduces blood flow to the muscles. Leaving them with less oxygen and causing a buildup of “knotty” lactic acid.
Do you know what causes menstrual cramps?
Similar to the contractions of muscles from stress, the pain that is felt during menstruation is actually the contraction of the uterus muscles – hences the “cramping”. These can feel like a dull ache or sharp spasms.
The hormone to blame here though is called prostaglandin. It is actually released across the body for healing injuries, which it does by controlling the width of blood vessels, dilating or contracting to repair damage to tissue.
During the menstrual cycle, this hormone is specifically released to regulate the contraction and relaxation of the uterus to help shed the monthly lining of the womb. So without it, your womb would never get to clean itself!
Side note: If you are experiencing excessive amounts of pain, do see a doctor, as there are a variety of period pain conditions such as endometriosis that can be treated with medical attention.
What is the effect of vibrations on muscle tension?
Vibrations have the multiple effects on the body. One of which stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the muscles, which is exactly what you want if your body is under stress.
Back in 2016, lifestyle and health coach, Tim Ferris, advocated using a vibrator on aching muscles:
“The device, when set on high, delivers the precise hertz most helpful for relaxing hypertonic (chronically tensed) muscles.”
Vibrations counter the muscle contractions by forcing the muscles to contract and relax. There is even a whole area of vibration massage therapy that has been designed to aid weight loss and improve flexibility. They also enhance blood flow and reduce muscle ache after exercise by releasing dopamine and oxytocin and decreasing the levels of cortisol.
Vibrating machines work by sitting on the surface and send vibrations deep into the muscles.
So why not indulge in giving yourself (or if you are lucky, have your partner give you) a sensual massage with a smart vibrator such as Crescendo. The silky smooth silicone goes well with most massage oils (steer clear of silicone based lubricant). The 6 powerful motors can be controlled from your smartphone, to create light tickles to strong rumbling sensations that can penetrate deep into the muscle tissue.
How do vibrators help achieve orgasm & relieve period pain?
Miraculously, vibrators awaken the nerve endings through the blood stimulation. Contrary to popular belief, a vibrator cannot kill your nerve endings. As Carol Queen points out:
“Your body actually grows new nerve pathways when stimulated.”
Using a vibrator is particularly great for building up that sweet sensation in the genitals in order to achieve orgasm – the ultimate pleasure release and pain relief.
The rush of pleasure hormones that flood your bloodstream both when you are aroused and post-orgasm actually increases your tolerance for pain – which could explain why spanking and whipping is popular in BDSM cultures.
Furthermore, orgasms help to strengthen your pelvic floor and improve blood flow to the genitals. This encourages a stronger resistance to period cramps.
“By using vibrators I’ve brought much-needed blood-flow to the area which can help grow and foster more nerve endings over time.” – DangerousLilly
So there you have it, the multiple benefits of your vibrator (besides the fact that it feels bloody amazing, that is). If you are ever feeling a little tense, just grab your vibrator and vibrate your tender spots. Whether that’s your neck, feet or womb, let the vibes work their magic. Just be sure to use it on your sweet spots in private.
This guest post is brought to you by Oli Lipski of MysteryVibe, creators of the advanced luxury vibrator, Crescendo, and Tenuto, the world’s first wearable vibrator for men.
Photo by Clara Ngo from Pexels
