Abstract
1/2026
vol. 25
Review paper
Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pelvic pain in women: a systematic review
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Department of Geriatrics, Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, Rome, Italy
- University Department of Geriatric and Orthopaedic Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- AOOR Villa Sofia Cervello, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- UOSD High-Intensity Neurorehabilitation, Department of Neuroscience, Sensory Organs and Thorax, University Hospital Foundation “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Menopause Rev 2026; 25(1): 45-51
Online publish date: 2026/05/11
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) affects approximately 26% of women and significantly impacts quality of life. Common causes include dysmenorrhea and pelvic floor dysfunction. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is widely used for pain relief to inhibit pain transmission and stimulate endogenous opioid release. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of TENS in the rehabilitation of pelvic pain in women through randomised controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases using the terms “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation”, “pelvic pain”, and “pelvic floor”, selecting RCTs published between 2020 and 2025. Inclusion criteria followed the PICO framework, targeting adult women with CPP and TENS as the intervention. Studies involving males, pregnancy, or without full texts were excluded. PRISMA guidelines were followed; study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Four RCTs met the inclusion criteria; they involved 281 participants. Three studies focused on primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and one on vestibulodynia. All studies reported a significant reduction in pain following TENS treatment, assessed by the visual analogue scale or numeric rating scale, with some studies also noting reduced analgesic consumption. However, improvements in secondary outcomes such as sexual function and pelvic floor muscle strength were inconsistent. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation appears to be an effective, safe, and non-invasive modality for reducing pelvic pain in women, especially in cases of PD and vestibulodynia. Evidence remains limited by heterogeneity in study protocols and outcome measures. Further high-quality RCTs are needed for standardized protocols and broader rehabilitative outcomes, including functional and quality-of-life improvements.
Keywords
pelvic floor disorders, pelvic pain, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, rehabilitation, dysmenorrhea
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