--- title: Does transcranial direct current stimulation reduce menstrual pain and PMS mood symptoms? description: The main finding showed no significant difference between active and sham stimulation for menstrual pain. Both groups improved over time. Exploratory analyses url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/home-based-transcranial-direct-current-stimulation-for-menstrual-pain-and-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does transcranial direct current stimulation reduce menstrual pain and PMS mood symptoms? Randomised trial, 2026 # Does transcranial direct current stimulation reduce menstrual pain and PMS mood symptoms? The main finding showed no significant difference between active and sham stimulation for menstrual pain. Both groups improved over time. Exploratory analyses suggested mood and quality of life benefits, but this needs confirmation. Moderate study design 40 women with primary dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome ## What they did A double-blind trial with 40 women with menstrual pain and PMS. They used a home-based brain stimulation device for five days in one menstrual cycle, either active or sham. Outcomes were measured at baseline, after treatment, and one cycle later. ## What they found Menstrual pain decreased in both groups over time with no significant difference between active and sham. At follow-up, mean pain was 23.44 ± 29.31 in the active group and 39.43 ± 31.10 in the sham group. Exploratory analyses suggested improvements in negative mood and psychological quality of life. No serious adverse events occurred. ## What it means for you The main finding is that active brain stimulation did not outperform sham for menstrual pain, though both improved. The mood improvements are exploratory and need confirmation. The study was small and measured only one cycle, so longer-term effects are unknown. 40 women in the study 5 days of treatment 23.44 vs 39.43 mean pain at follow-up, active vs sham ## About the study Original title Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Menstrual Pain and Premenstrual Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial Authors Silva TCLA, Rodrigues YT, Radytė E et al. Journal International journal of women's health Year 2026 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (active or sham) for five days in one menstrual cycle Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s564992](https://doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s564992) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2025 Does digital healthcare help manage period pain and PMS? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Survey study, 2026 Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls? Survey study, 2026 How does menstrual health affect your quality of life? Survey study, 2026 What menstrual cycle symptoms do people experience and how much do they interfere with daily life? Survey study, 2025 How do employed women seek relief for premenstrual and menstrual symptoms at work? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗