Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pelvic pain in women: a systematic review
- Journal
- Przeglad menopauzalny = Menopause review (Q2)
- Published
- 11 May 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Gianpaolo Ronconi, Rossella Calciano, Giuseppe Gullo, Antonella Vitale, Eliana Rampulla, Alberto Cutaia, et al.
- PMID
- 42460255
- DOI
- 10.5114/pm.2026.161669
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Obstetrics and Gynecology (top studies of the week, 19 July 2026).
Abstract
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.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.