Painful Periods and Red Light Therapy
Understanding Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Cramps and Red Light Therapy
If you’ve ever counted down the days to your period with dread, bracing yourself for pelvic pain, bloating, and cramps you’re not alone. Millions of women, especially teens and young adults, experience primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps) every month. While popping painkillers or reaching for hormonal birth control has been the go-to for decades, science is shining a new (and literally, less risky) light on period pain: photobiomodulation (PBM), or red light therapy. There’s growing evidence that red light therapy can significantly improve this pain - without side effects associated with NSAIDs or the contraceptive pill. What’s happening in the body to cause so much pain? An overproduction of prostaglandins - and in some red light studies these painful little chemical messengers in the bloodstream were reduced by more than 59%.
What is Dysmenorrhea?
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful menstrual cramps. There are two types:
Primary Dysmenorrhea: This is the most common type and is not linked to any other medical condition. It’s typically caused by the natural chemicals called prostaglandins, which make your uterus contract.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea: This type is linked to other medical conditions like endometriosis or fibroids. It tends to start later in life and can get worse over time.
Regardless of the type, the pain can be downright debilitating, affecting your daily activities and quality of life. So, finding effective relief is crucial.
If you’re a mom of a teenage daughter, you’re not alone in wondering about the best, and safest ways to help her manage painful or heavy periods. In the United States, oral contraceptives (OC), commonly known as birth control pills, are often prescribed for teens, not just for contraception, but to address menstrual cramps, acne, and irregular cycles.
How Common Is OC Use in US Teens?
According to recent peer-reviewed data, about 33% of sexually active high school girls in Denmark report using some form of hormonal contraceptive at last intercourse.
Other research notes that by age 16, nearly 44% of girls may have used the birth control pill in some states, and more than 20% of all teen girls (not just those sexually active) are prescribed these medications for persistent period problems.
Why Is This a Concern, Especially for Mental Health?
You may be surprised to hear that the teenage brain is especially vulnerable to hormonal shifts, and oral contraceptives are powerful hormonal agents. Emerging research is dicovering significant mental health risks associated with starting the pill in adolescence.
Some key mental health facts you should know:
A 2023 study found that simply being assigned to a doctor more likely to prescribe the pill for under-16 girls led to a higher risk of depression diagnoses and psychiatric contact between ages 16–18, even if the girls themselves did not initially have mood symptoms.
Recent data shows that within just three months of starting the pill, the risk of a psychiatric visit and a depression diagnosis jumps by 17% and 40%, respectively. One year in, the risk of using antidepressants is 65% higher in girls who started oral contraceptives compared to those who did not.
Another cohort study found that while some users see stable moods, many teens may be at increased risk for internalizing symptoms like anxiety and depression—and the long-term consequences are not yet fully understood.
Why Does This Matter for Moms?
As a parent, your instinct is to protect your child not only from physical pain, but from emotional harm as well. While OCs provide relief for some, they may also expose vulnerable teens to unwanted emotional side effects, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thinking.
This does not mean oral contraceptives are never appropriate, but it does mean that the “simple solution” of prescribing the pill for period problems comes with important trade-offs. Parents deserve full, evidence-based information so they can weigh safer, effective alternatives (like photobiomodulation or other non-hormonal therapies) that don’t disrupt a developing teen’s delicate hormonal and psychological balance.
Take Some Time to Weigh up the Pros and Cons
Before starting your daughter on oral contraceptives for cramps or cycles, have a frank discussion with her doctor about these mental health risks as well as possible non-pharmaceutical options. Your daughter’s mind is just as precious as her body, let’s keep both safe as she grows. One safe option that may offer your teen relief without any side effects is photobiomodulation/red light therapy.
Hormonal Contraceptive Risks: Especially for Teens
While birth control pills are commonly prescribed to teens for period pain, there are important risks to know. Hormonal contraceptives (like the pill or patch) can:
Increase the risk of blood clots (VTE).
Cause nausea, breast tenderness, and changes in mood or weight.
Impact liver function, blood pressure, and, rarely, increase risk for certain health problems (especially in those with other medical conditions).
For some, these risks are worth the benefit, but many families and teens often want safer, more natural solutions.
The Science Behind PBM and Menstrual Pain Relief
“In one gold-standard, randomized trial with over 50 women, high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) delivered three times per period cycle led to nearly 80% reduction in severe menstrual pain, outperforming even advanced pulsed magnetic therapy. Most users reported little or no pain after a complete course. The study also measured prostaglandin levels (the chemical culprit behind cramps): women using HILT saw these drop by almost 60%, underscoring real, biological relief. This means less pain, less inflammation, and more freedom each month, with no reports of serious side effects.”
You might be wondering, how does shining a special light on your body help with severe menstrual cramps? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty science:
Reduction of Inflammation: PBM helps decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (prostaglandin), which are often elevated during your period, leading to less inflammation and pain.
Increased Blood Flow: The therapy promotes vasodilation, meaning it helps widen blood vessels, improving blood flow to the pelvic region. This can help reduce the muscle contractions that cause cramping.
Cellular Energy Boost: PBM increases the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of cells. More energy means your cells can repair and function more efficiently, speeding up the healing process.
The Evidence is In
Research is still ongoing, but several studies have shown very promising results. Here are a few highlights:
Study One: A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research found that women who received PBM therapy reported significant reductions in menstrual pain compared to those who received a placebo treatment.
Study Two: Another study in the Journal of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery demonstrated that PBM therapy effectively reduced pain and improved quality of life for women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Study Three: This study compared birth control medication and laser Photopuncture over 2 specific acupoints on the abdomen for 20 minus over 5 days before their period. Red light therapy was as effective at reducing pain as the contraceptive pill - but without any of the harmful side effects (this is such great news for anyone with teenage daughters who wants to avoid the trade-offs of long-term use of contraceptives). They did not use the ‘torch’ during menstruation and still had a significant reduction in pain <33%. Prostaglandin levels were significantly reduced in both groups.
Study Four: A recent clinical trial compared pulsed high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) to low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for treating primary dysmenorrhea. The study included 30 women diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea, divided into two groups. Both groups received three treatment sessions per menstrual cycle for three consecutive cycles. The results showed significant pain reduction in both groups, with no significant difference between HILT and LLLT in terms of pain relief and severity. This study underscores the effectiveness of laser red light therapy in managing menstrual pain.
Use as often as needed before and during your period.
How to Incorporate PBM into Your Routine
If you’re ready to give PBM a try, here’s how you can get started:
Consult a Professional: Before starting any new treatment, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional who can guide you based on your individual needs. Therapeutic laser treatments are focused on the lower back, lower abdominal area and lymphatics.
Consistency is Key: For best results, incorporate PBM into your routine regularly, especially during the days leading up to your period.
For Best Results incorporate your light treatments with anti-inflammatory foods, eliminate sugar and processed foods and increase healthy fats.
At-Home Options
You don't need a clinic appointment to start finding relief. One of my favorite home devices - the NovaLaab pad uses red and near-infrared light to target menstrual cramps comfortably at home.
Although the NovaLaab pad is less powerful than the clinical HILT protocol, it offers an accessible, safe alternative for home use. For those needing deep tissue, rapid relief, or with severe symptoms, supervised high-intensity therapy offers unique advantages; but for many women regular, consistent use of the NovaLaab pad can still provide meaningful cramp relief with no side effects.
Dysmenorrhea can be a challenging part of life, but with the growing evidence supporting photobiomodulation, there’s hope for a brighter, pain-free future. As always, it’s essential to explore all your options and find what works best for you. Here’s to taking control of your health and living your best life, even during that time of the month.
***Based on these results, pulsed 630 nm therapy showed significant relief of menstrual pain compared to white light placebo treatment and improved quality of life under certain circumstances.
Tracy
Additional Resources:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/af2f/b8fcfb9adf7b30fbdf33dc8539e7b87109fd.pdf
