Period pain sure sounds unpleasant. My partner describes it as feeling like “a wrecking ball to the womb,” and like many women, her pain can be debilitating. And that’s why we jumped at the chance to review the Ovira Noha device, an Australian-made TENS machine purpose-built to help women find relief from period pain and cramps. This discreet, pocket-friendly device stimulates the affected areas to reduce pain signals to the brain. It can also be used to treat a wide range of aches and pains across the body and proved surprisingly effective during testing. My partner has used Ovira Noha for almost two months and swears by it.
I’ve edited her notes and compiled my own into a comprehensive review of this feminine TENS machine to hopefully help you make an informed decision, whether purchasing for yourself or gifting to a loved one. And if you’re in the dark about TENS machines, I cover that too.
Image: Ovira
What is a TENS Machine?
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a form of drug-free pain relief achieved using a machine that stimulates the affected area with a mild electrical current. A TENS machine features sticky pads that attach to your skin, and once the device is switched on, the electrical stimulation can reduce or block pain signals to the brain and spine. It’s also believed that the machines can cause the release of endorphins which are the body’s natural pain relievers.
These machines are used for pain relief from many conditions, including sports injuries, arthritis, muscle tension, endometriosis, and period pain. They are considered safe with minimal to no side effects. However, you should always speak with a doctor before committing to any new treatments.
A TENS machine does not cure the pain but provides short-term relief for recurring conditions and can be very effective if used in conjunction with prescribed medical treatments. TENS technology has actually been around for decades with many medical professionals citing the effectiveness of these machines. But the results do vary from machine to machine and person-to-person.
Image: Ovira
Does the Ovira Nova Device Work?
The short answer is yes, but there’s also more to it.
Ovira Noha is small, subtle and egg-shaped, measuring approximately 60mm x 40mm x 20mm. It’s slightly larger than a wristwatch and possesses a feminine design. Clip Noha to a shirt, pants, bra or wherever you like. You can conceal the machine easily under clothing and wear it out and about without fear of it getting caught or being seen.
The same USB Type-C port that charges the device is used to connect the pulse pads, which are called ‘Love Handles’ here. The Love Handles are pressed onto the lower stomach, back, knees, or affected area and held in place by the adhesive backing. The adhesive holds firmly to the skin and doesn’t pull hair when removed. Once in place, hold the central button to activate the device and use the two surrounding buttons to raise and lower the intensity of the stimulation.
My partner describes the sensation as pins and needles-like and it quickly numbs the desired area. A short amount of use can keep the pain and cramps at bay for longer than expected. She admits that this extended pain relief could be the placebo effect, but does it matter if the pain goes away?
She prefers to block period pain on her lower back rather than on her front like what’s portrayed in much of the marketing material. The bed and the couch are her favourite positions for using the device as the sensation can detract from activities that require attention, like studying and playing with our son.
Ultimately, Ovira Noha lives up to its promise of drug-free pain relief, and it proved to be a better gift than flowers.
I made use of the device over the summer break after hurting my back moving furniture. I found it effective for numbing the pain but the sensation can become problematic if the intensity level is too high. I found out the hard way that it’s best to slowly work through the levels and not jump straight to the extremes.
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Image: Ovira
There’s More!
This TENS machine is FDA approved and is registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which means that even if it’s not quite right for you, it’s at least safe to try. Just keep it away from the face and the genitals.
Eight adhesive refills accompany Noha, and each can be used multiple times. So you could potentially get a few years’ worth of use out of the device before needing to source more adhesive pads, which can be purchased through Ovira online.
Battery life is rated to 12 hours and from our testing, this feels accurate but is difficult to discern either way because Noha was often used while trying to fall asleep.
There’s just one caveat of the design. It’s the short cable connecting to the pulse pads (Love Handles). For example, if you’re using the pads to stimulate the lower back, the cable is not long enough for the device to reach around to the front of your body. As a result, you will need to clip it onto the back of a shirt/pants making it difficult to reach and scroll intensity levels.
For obvious safety reasons, the intensity resets every time Noha is switched off. Plus, you can’t discern the intensity without the pads in place, so it can be an awkward reach-around or guess at getting the settings just right.
Apart from that, Ovira Noha is discreet, with a contemporary, feminine design and all-day battery life. There’s certainly a lot to like about this TENS machine.
Noha by Ovira is Australian made by women for women. It’s an answer to debilitating period pain, endometriosis pain and the after-effects. You can purchase one online for $189 and take advantage of a 100-day risk-free trial money-back guarantee.
The writer was provided a device for the purpose of review
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General FAQ
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a form of drug-free pain relief achieved using a machine that stimulates the affected area with a mild electrical current. A TENS machine does not cure the pain but provides short-term relief for recurring conditions.
TENS technology is generally considered safe and is backed by medical professionals. But keep the device away from the face and genitals and you should always speak with a doctor before starting a new treatment.
Yes. This TENS machine is designed to fight period pain. A short amount of use can help keep the pain and cramps at bay and helps with a wide number of conditions including sports injuries, arthritis, muscle tension and endometriosis.
