For the first time, neuroscientists have developed a way to address debilitating PMS and menstrual pain symptoms without relying on drugs, hormones, or enduring severe side effects.
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Menstrual pain, woman with stomachache suffering from pms , endometriosis, cystitis and other diseases of the urinary system, painful area highlighted in red
Developed by Samphire Neuroscience, a neurotechnology company based in London, this device leverages recent findings that show hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can alter brain activity, structure, and function. By harnessing the brain-cycle connection, Samphire has adapted a technique once limited to specialised clinics into an at-home wearable device that goes by the name Nettle.
This approach reprogrammes how the brain perceives symptoms and offers a medically certified and clinically tested solution that outperforms traditional treatments.
The impact of menstrual symptoms on quality of life
Over 90% of females of reproductive age will experience mild to acute premenstrual symptoms at least once in their lifetime and up to 91% suffer from period cramps (dysmenorrhea) during menstruation. Severe menstrual cramps, in addition to the mental and physical symptoms during the luteal phase (the 5-10 days before your period), are a monthly ordeal many women know well. Studies indicate these symptoms have a negative impact not only on quality of life but amount to nearly nine days of lost productivity per year, costing the UK economy approximately £118 billion annually.
The true impact of PMS and menstrual pain, however, transcends mere statistics. Monthly recurrence creates a relentless cycle of pain and discomfort. Most medical interventions, despite being aimed at providing relief, bring their own set of adverse side-effects or demand significant sacrifices. A hysterectomy, for example, is recommended as an official treatment for severe menstrual symptoms, but in addition to eliminating those symptoms, the procedure also eliminates a woman’s ability to become pregnant in the future.
Those who suffer from chronic menstrual health conditions, such as endometriosis (affecting 10% of women globally) or PMDD (affecting 5% to 8% of women globally), face even more difficulties, frustration and hopelessness. They are more likely to depend on long-term use of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, a cocktail of hormone therapies, or other invasive treatments. Such interventions have lately come under serious scrutiny for their long-term side effects on physiological and neurological wellbeing. Hormonal contraceptives, for example, have been associated with an elevated risk of cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. Similarly, OTC painkillers, although supposedly harmless in infrequent doses, can lead to gastrointestinal issues and kidney damage when used frequently or in excess, which is often the case for many women dealing with chronic menstrual symptoms.
Women deserve better treatment options
This is exactly why Samphire Neuroscience was co-founded by Harvard- and Oxford-educated neuroscientist Emilė Radytė and Oxford-educated lawyer Alex Cook. Samphire is the product of their combined extensive experience in the lab, the clinic, the public health and policy sector, and the tech sphere. Through research, innovation, and a dedication to understanding the intricacies of the female brain, they are determined to offer solutions that are effective, safe, and tailored specifically to women's needs without hefty compromises.
Their first solution, Nettle, comes in the form of a medical-grade neurostimulation wearable, similar to Flow Neuroscience’s device which in 2023 was clinically proven to be 2 times more effective than the 21 most common antidepressants. However, unlike Flow, which only targets the prefrontal cortex known for playing a role in mood regulation, Nettle will also target the motor cortex, which plays a role in pain perception. By targeting these two brain regions, Nettle is also the first at-home brain stimulation device that is designed to manage both chronic pain and mood symptoms. It’s also worth noting similar in-clinic neurostimulation treatments for depression and chronic pain can cost up to £8,000 in the UK, making them unaffordable for many. Nettle aims to democratise access to this safe and effective technology, bringing it into the homes of those often overlooked by medical advancements.
How does Nettle work?
The device itself uses a low electrical current in what is known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to alter neuronal activity. This stimulation increases neuroplasticity, meaning the brain’s ability to change and adapt by forming and reorganising synaptic connections. The brain-cycle connection is surprisingly linear. Changes in hormone levels affect brain structure and activity. This means each phase of a menstrual cycle enacts changes in the brain itself, which affect mood, energy, sensitivity and more. This is especially pronounced during the luteal phase, when hormone levels tend to become imbalanced.
In terms of use, Nettle is designed to be used at-home for 20 minutes a day for the 5 days before a period. The headband reprograms how the brain perceives mood and pain symptoms by targeted delivery of low-intensity electrical pulses to two specific brain regions: the prefrontal cortex for mood regulation and the motor cortex (M1) for pain perception.
Is Nettle backed by clinical evidence?
Yes. Running trials is not the norm for many "healthtech/welltech" products, but Nettle completed a clinical trial to provide women with the trust and data they deserve. Results after just 5 sessions showed that:
- 72% of users reported clinically significant pain relief and the average pain symptoms reduced by 53%
- 67% of users reported a clinically significant improvement in low mood and the average low mood symptoms in the PMS period improved by 34%
- 67% of users reported a clinically significant improvement in average functionality, or fitness status, which improved by 11%
It’s also worth noting that 44% of participants had a diagnosis of PMDD, indicating severe mood symptoms. Furthermore, across all trials conducted, participants reported no severe side effects with the most common side effect being mild tingling during sessions that goes away with repeated use.
Is Nettle medically certified?
Yes. With over three years of clinical research behind it and the most advanced hardware engineering, Nettle is certified as a medical device in the form of an EU MDR CE mark - the highest standard in the European Union and United Kingdom. This underlines Nettle as a leader in its field and a pioneer for women’s menstrual health.
Product Design and Fit
As Nettle is worn on the head it will typically have to function through hair. The user needs to spray a saline solution onto conductive sponges on the underside of the band to ensure the current flows properly during the 20-minute treatment session.
Emilė Radytė, CEO and Co-Founder of Samphire Neuroscience, said: "Women's health has been notoriously under-researched and underfunded for decades. As a result, women have been expected to compromise when it comes to taking care of their minds and bodies. What we are doing is approaching things differently – with the brain as the nexus of health. A number of scientific studies have highlighted the potential of brain-based therapies. Mental and physical well-being are essential components of a complex system governed by the brain and unlocking that system’s capabilities will lead to breakthroughs beyond our current understanding, and Samphire is going to help forge that path.”
A non-invasive hormone and drug free solution to period pain and PMS, Nettle will bring countless women the solution they have been looking for. A groundbreaking leap for women’s health, Nettleis just the beginning of Samphire Neuroscience's mission to create effective, safe, and science-backed solutions for women’s wellbeing.
