For centuries, menstrual pain has been a topic shrouded in silence and misunderstanding. Many women have struggled to articulate the intensity of their monthly discomfort, even to healthcare providers, and they are often met with dismissive attitudes, a lack of empathy, or worse: medical gaslighting.
But what if there was a way to bridge this gap in understanding? Enter the period cramp simulator, a device that's sparking conversations and changing perspectives on menstrual pain.
The concept is simple yet revolutionary: allow individuals who don't menstruate, particularly men, to experience a simulation of period cramps. It's not just about watching guys squirm on TikTok (although that can be entertaining); it's about fostering understanding, awareness, and a deeper appreciation for what many women endure each month.
What is a period cramp simulator?
A period cramp simulator is a small device that uses TENS technology to mimic the contracting, squeezing sensation of menstrual cramps. It sends controlled electrical pulses through pads placed on the abdomen, and those pulses trigger the muscles to tighten in a way that feels similar to real cramps. Simple, clear, and to the point.
These devices became popular as people started sharing their reactions online, often with partners, friends, or health professionals trying them for the first time. The shock, the “wait, people deal with this every month?” moment, the instant empathy… it all helped shine a light on how real and disruptive period pain can be.
They’re now used in classrooms, clinics, and even corporate training sessions to teach body literacy, validate lived experiences, and build understanding between people who menstruate and those who don’t. At their best, cramp simulators aren’t about drama or pain competitions. They’re about visibility, conversation, and finally getting everyone in the room on the same page about what menstrual pain actually feels like.
How do period cramp simulators work?
Period cramp simulators use the same basic science behind physical therapy devices, but with one clear goal: recreating the deep, achy feeling of menstrual cramps. Period cramp simulators typically use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) technology to mimic the sensations of menstrual cramps. These devices send small electrical pulses through electrodes placed on the lower abdomen, stimulating the nerves in a way that resembles the contractions of the uterus during menstruation.
Here’s what that means in real terms. Those little pulses travel through the skin and speak directly to the nerves that sit above the muscles. When the nerves fire, the muscles respond by tightening, which creates the familiar pulling and clenching sensation many people get during their period. It’s not magic. It’s simply electricity nudging the body into behaving as if the uterus is contracting.
Electrode placement matters too. Most simulators position the pads low on the belly where period pain is usually felt. That’s how the device targets the same nerve pathways that carry menstrual pain signals. If you shift the pads higher or wider, you’ll feel something, but it won’t hit that unmistakable cramp zone.
The intensity levels are adjustable, which is why these devices are often used for education or empathy exercises. Users can start with a gentle flutter and gradually increase the strength of the pulses to understand what mild, moderate, or stronger cramps might feel like. While no simulation can perfectly replicate the unique pain of menstrual cramps, these devices offer a glimpse into the physical sensations many women face every month. The intensity can even be adjusted, allowing users to experience different levels of discomfort, from mild twinges to more intense cramping.
It’s not a perfect stand-in for lived experience. Still, the science behind these simulators gives people a meaningful way to understand just how real and varied menstrual pain can be, which is something people with periods have been saying all along.
Do period simulators feel real?
Short answer: kind of, but not entirely. Period cramp simulators can get impressively close to the tight, gripping sensations many people feel during menstruation, but they can’t recreate every layer of the experience. They’re good at capturing the muscle contracting part, which is why users often say the pulses feel surprisingly familiar if they’ve ever had moderate to strong cramps.
What they miss are the deeper sensations that come from hormone shifts, inflammation, and the way pain can radiate into the back or thighs. Real cramps can come with nausea, fatigue, bowel changes, or that heavy pelvic pressure that makes you want to curl up on the sofa. A device can mimic the mechanical squeeze, but it can’t reproduce the hormonal and systemic effects that ride alongside it.
Perfect replication isn’t possible because period pain isn’t only muscular. It’s a whole-body response that changes person to person and even cycle to cycle. That said, many people who do live with period pain say simulators get close enough that they’re not surprised when someone without a uterus taps out fast. Others feel the simulator captures the sensation but not the full intensity of their real cramps.
In other words, a period cramp simulator won’t give anyone the full lived reality, but it offers a helpful window into what many people experience every month. For education, empathy, and starting real conversations about menstrual pain, that glimpse can be powerful.
Questions Women Are Asking
Period cramp simulator videos: Reactions worth watching
If you’ve ever fallen down a YouTube rabbit hole of people trying period cramp simulators for the first time, you know the reactions are half the fun. They’re entertaining, yes, but many are also surprisingly educational. Here are a few worth watching if you want to see how different people respond when the cramps kick in. All links lead to YouTube so the page loads quickly.
1. Partners try period pain for the first time
A popular clip featuring couples where the non-menstruating partner confidently says, “How bad can it be?” before immediately regretting everything. It’s funny, but it also shows the communication shift that happens when someone finally grasps the intensity behind “I have cramps.”
2. The Smosh Pit cast try a cramp simulator
The group starts off laughing and talking big, but once the intensity climbs, the room fills with yelps, bargaining, and a whole lot of “wait, people live like this?” It’s playful, over the top, and surprisingly validating, especially when even the bravest contestants tap out faster than they expected.
3. ‘Tough cowboy’ tries a period pain simulator
The self-declared “tough” cowboy walks in confident, ready to prove a point, and within seconds is gripping the chair like his life depends on it. Meanwhile, a woman who’s already on her period sits there calmly, comparing the simulator to what her body is already doing on its own. Watching someone unused to that discomfort crumble at a low setting is both validating and a reminder of how minimised menstrual pain often is.
4. Cop tries period pain simulator, and it goes exactly as you'd expect
In this clip, a police officer steps up to the Somedays period pain simulator at the Calgary Stampede determined to make it all the way to level ten. The confidence is strong, the crowd is cheering, and then reality kicks in fast. By level six he’s clutching his stomach, bargaining with the universe, and announcing he’d be calling in sick if this were real life. He never makes it to ten.
5. Male gynecologist experiences period cramps
This video follows a male gynecologist who decides to experience period like cramps for himself using a simulator, and his reaction says it all. Within moments, he’s wide eyed, breathless, and blurting out, “Holy *#@&! You go through this every month?!” It’s equal parts funny and deeply validating, especially coming from someone who works in women’s health every day but has never felt menstrual pain firsthand. His final verdict? The pain was absolutely terrible, and he’ll never underestimate menstrual cramps again.
6. Guys live a day in the life with a period pain simulator
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This video takes the classic “men try period cramps” format and raises the stakes by having two guys go about their entire day with a period pain simulator strapped on. They start off enthusiastic, cracking jokes and acting like it’ll be no big deal. Spoiler: it becomes a very big deal very quickly. From making breakfast to running errands, every ordinary task becomes a dramatic event once the cramps kick in.
7. Women try a period cramp simulator
We’ve seen plenty of videos where men crumble under a period pain simulator, but this one flips the script. In this clip, a group of women test the device to see whether it actually reflects what real cramps feel like. They come in skeptical, curious, and more than a little amused by the idea that a machine could capture something their bodies already know too well.
Male reactions and what they reveal
The reactions from men trying these simulators for the first time are often a mix of surprise, discomfort, and respect. Many express shock at the intensity of the sensations, even at lower settings. Comments like "How do you deal with this every month?" and "I had no idea it was this bad" are common, highlighting the gap in understanding that often exists. There’s usually a moment where confidence turns into wide-eyed disbelief, followed by a sort of humbled admiration. It’s equal parts entertaining and deeply validating.
What makes these reactions meaningful is what happens afterward. When men feel even a fraction of what period pain can be like, it often shifts their perspective. Some start checking in more when someone mentions cramps. Others become quicker to offer help, flexibility, or just patience. In relationships, that can look like sharing more of the mental load or adjusting plans without questioning the need for rest. In the workplace, it might show up as more empathy during meetings or less judgment when someone needs a break because their uterus has decided to take the lead that day.
These experiences can be transformative: Men who try the simulators often report a newfound appreciation for what their partners, friends, or colleagues go through during their cycle, leading to more supportive behaviors both at home and in the workplace. A device that costs less than a dinner out manages to do what decades of awkward health class videos couldn't, which is proof that sometimes you need more than a diagram to understand someone else’s reality.
What is period pain? Understanding menstrual cramps
Period pain is the result of the uterus tightening and releasing as it sheds its lining each month. These contractions are triggered by prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemicals that help the uterus do its job. Higher levels of prostaglandins often mean stronger, more uncomfortable cramps, which is why some cycles feel manageable and others feel like your body has declared war on your lower abdomen.
Everyone’s experience is different. Some people feel mild aches that come and go. Others get sharp, gripping cramps that slow them down for a day or two. It can also radiate into the back or thighs, cause digestive changes, or bring on fatigue. There’s a wide range of what’s considered normal, but period pain should never be so intense that it consistently disrupts your ability to function.
That said, severe or worsening pain can be a sign of something more. Conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, or fibroids can make menstruation far more painful than the average cycle. If cramps regularly leave you curled up, missing work, or relying on heavy pain relief, it’s worth talking to a healthcare provider who will take your symptoms seriously.
When period pain goes beyond the simulator
A simulator can mimic the muscle tightening, but it can’t capture the full-body experience of people living with conditions like endometriosis or fibroids. These conditions involve inflammation, tissue changes, and chronic pain that go far deeper than a temporary electrical pulse. No device can recreate the exhaustion, the flare days, or the way pain weaves into everyday life.
If your period pain feels out of proportion to what others describe, or if something just doesn’t feel right, you’re not imagining it and you’re not overreacting. A simulator can start the conversation, but your lived experience is the real evidence that deserves to be heard.
The educational impact
While watching men experience period pain might provide some vindication for those who have long suffered in silence, the real value of period cramp simulators lies in their educational potential. They serve as powerful tools for breaking down barriers and initiating important conversations about menstrual health.
Schools and universities have even begun incorporating these devices into health education programs, allowing students of all genders to gain a more tangible understanding of menstrual pain. This hands-on approach can be particularly effective in combating the stigma and misinformation that often surrounds periods, contrary to the Sex Ed of the past.
For women, seeing others experience even a fraction of their monthly pain can be incredibly validating. It offers confirmation that their experiences are real and significant, countering the dismissive attitudes they may have encountered in the past and empowering them to advocate more strongly for their health needs.
Where to buy a period cramp simulator and what to expect
Period cramp simulators are widely available and usually fall in the $30 to $100 range, depending on the brand and features. You can find them on Amazon, through specialty wellness retailers, or on medical supply websites that sell TENS-based devices. Most look like small handheld units with electrode pads that stick to the skin, and setup is usually as simple as placing the pads and choosing an intensity level.
When you’re shopping, look for a device with clear controls, adjustable intensity, and good quality electrodes that stay put. Some models come with preset “cramp” programs, while others let you fine tune the pulses yourself. If you’re buying online, check reviews for comments about comfort, ease of use, and how realistic the sensations feel.
Using a TENS unit to simulate period cramps
If you already own a TENS unit, you can use it as a DIY version of a cramp simulator. Many people place the pads low on the abdomen and experiment with steady or pulsing settings to recreate that familiar tightening sensation. It takes a little trial and error, and it won’t have the guided presets that dedicated simulators offer, but it can give you a similar idea of how those contractions feel.
Dedicated cramp simulators tend to be more intuitive and beginner friendly, especially for people who have never used TENS technology before. They walk you through the process, keep you within safe settings, and usually offer patterns designed specifically to mimic menstrual cramps rather than general muscle stimulation.
The limitations and considerations of period cramp simulators
It's important to keep in mind that while period cramp simulators can provide valuable insights, they do have their limitations. The experience of menstruation is complex and varies widely from person to person. These devices can't replicate factors such as hormonal fluctuations, emotional changes (hello, PMS!), and other physical symptoms.
Additionally, for some women with conditions like endometriosis or fibroids, menstrual pain can be far more severe than what these simulators can reproduce. It's crucial to acknowledge that this technology offers a simplified representation of a complex biological process.
Why period cramp simulators matter
Still, the period cramp simulator represents more than just a novelty device; it's a step towards greater education and awareness in society. By providing a tangible experience of period pain, these simulators are helping to break down barriers and challenge long-held misconceptions about menstrual health.
For women who have long felt misunderstood, seeing others acknowledge the intensity of period pain can open doors for more honest conversations about menstrual health and the support needed during that time of the month.
As we continue to work toward ending the stigma surrounding menstruation, tools like these simulators remind us that empathy and understanding are powerful forces in creating a world where women's health experiences are validated, respected, and properly addressed. So the next time you see someone trying a period cramp simulator, remember: it's not just about the squirm, it's about taking a step towards a more compassionate and informed society.
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