It starts with a nervous laugh. You’ve probably seen the videos on TikTok or Instagram: a man sits in a chair, electrodes are strapped to his lower abdomen, and a machine—often a TENS unit—is dialed up from a level one to a level ten. Within seconds, the bravado vanishes. He’s doubled over. He’s clutching his knees. He’s wondering how on earth half the population functions while feeling like a literal jackhammer is recalibrating their internal organs. This is the world of the period simulator for men, a device that has transitioned from a niche medical tool to a viral cultural phenomenon.
But honestly, is it just for the "clout," or is there something deeper happening here?
For decades, the experience of menstrual pain—specifically primary dysmenorrhea—has been dismissed, downplayed, or outright ignored in clinical settings. When men strap into these machines, they aren't just getting a shock; they are getting a 30-second crash course in a biological reality they’ve spent their lives viewing from the sidelines. It’s a simulation of the involuntary muscle contractions that occur when the uterus sheds its lining, and for many, the "lightbulb moment" is painful in more ways than one.
How a Period Simulator for Men Actually Mimics Pain
To understand if these machines are "accurate," we have to look at the tech. Most period simulators are essentially Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machines. In a clinical setting, TENS is used to reduce pain by sending low-voltage electrical currents to the skin to scramble pain signals. However, when you flip the settings and place the pads specifically over the abdominal muscles, you can induce involuntary muscle contractions that mimic the cramping of the uterus.
The uterus is a muscle. During a period, it contracts to help expel its lining. These contractions are triggered by hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. High levels of prostaglandins are linked to more severe menstrual cramps. When the period simulator for men is cranked up, it forces the abdominal wall to contract in a way that feels strikingly similar to those internal uterine spasms.
It isn't a perfect 1:1 match. Obviously.
Men lack a uterus, so the "referred pain" that many women feel in their lower back, thighs, and even their rectum isn't always perfectly replicated by a couple of sticky pads on the stomach. Furthermore, a simulator cannot replicate the "period flu," the exhaustion, the bloating, or the hormonal emotional shifts that accompany the physical pain. It is a localized experience of acute cramping. Yet, for the person wearing the pads, that distinction feels pretty academic once the machine hits level seven.
The Somax and the Rise of "Period Pain Challenges"
The most famous iterations of this tech come from companies like Somatic (often associated with the Somax brand) or various "Period Cramp Simulator" booths at health fairs. These booths have become hotspots for empathy building. At the Calgary Stampede a few years back, a booth went viral for showing men trying to perform basic tasks—like picking up a pen—while the machine was active. They couldn't do it.
The humor in these videos is the hook, but the retention is the realization. You see a guy realize that his partner isn't "exaggerating" when she says she needs to lie down.
The Science of Dysmenorrhea and Why Men Struggle
Why does it seem to hit men so much harder?
Part of it is psychological. If you grew up knowing that every 28 days your body would undergo a localized trauma, you’d develop a certain level of pain management and mental bracing. Men have no such conditioning. When the period simulator for men starts pulsing, their nervous system reacts with pure, unadulterated shock.
- Primary Dysmenorrhea: This is common cramping caused by the period itself.
- Secondary Dysmenorrhea: This is pain caused by a disorder in the reproductive organs, such as endometriosis or fibroids.
Most simulators aim for the "primary" level. But imagine if the machine had a setting for endometriosis—a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Patients often describe that pain as feeling like their organs are being glued together or stabbed with hot knives. Current simulator tech barely scratches the surface of that level of agony.
According to Dr. Jen Gunter, an OB/GYN and author of The Vagina Bible, menstrual pain has historically been undertreated. When men use these simulators, they are stepping into a gap in medical empathy that has existed for centuries. It’s not just about the "ouch" factor; it’s about acknowledging that this pain is a physiological event, not a "mood" or a "complaint."
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Misconceptions About the Simulator Experience
We need to be real about what the simulator doesn't do.
Some critics argue that the period simulator for men turns female pain into a "carnival act." There is a risk of that. If the takeaway is just "look at this guy screaming," we’ve missed the point. The simulation is also missing the duration. A man wears the pads for two minutes. A period lasts anywhere from three to seven days.
Imagine that level four cramp. Now imagine it while you are trying to finish a spreadsheet at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday. Imagine it while you are driving in traffic. Imagine it while you are trying to sleep, but every time you move, the "stabbing" starts again. The simulator provides the intensity but fails to provide the exhaustion of chronic, recurring discomfort.
Also, the simulator focuses on the "cramp." It doesn't simulate the:
- Hormonal migraines that feel like a spike through the eye.
- Digestive "disturbances" (the dreaded period poops).
- The heavy, dragging sensation in the pelvis known as pelvic congestion.
The Empathy Gap: Why This Matters for Relationships
If you’re a man considering trying a period simulator for men, or if you're a woman wanting your partner to try one, the goal should be communication.
I’ve seen dozens of cases where a guy tries the machine and his entire demeanor changes. He stops asking "Are you sure you can't go to the party?" and starts asking "Do you need the heating pad or the ibuprofen?" That shift is massive. It moves the conversation from "I believe you" to "I understand why you're struggling."
In a professional setting, some companies in countries like Japan and India have experimented with period leave. In the West, the idea is often met with skepticism. Simulators are starting to chip away at that skepticism by proving that "period pain" isn't just a minor nuisance. It’s a physical taxing of the body’s resources.
The Limitations of TENS Tech
Technically, anyone can buy a TENS unit on Amazon for $30 and try this at home. But be careful. These devices aren't toys. Placing electrodes near the heart or on the neck is incredibly dangerous. The commercial period simulators used in viral videos are often calibrated to stay within safe ranges for muscle stimulation while maximizing the "cramp" sensation.
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If you're using a DIY setup, you’re mostly just shocking your abs. The professional ones use specific wave patterns to mimic the "rolling" nature of a uterine contraction.
Practical Next Steps for Using This Information
If you want to use the concept of a period simulator for men to actually improve your life or relationship, don't just stop at the video.
For Men:
If you’ve watched these videos and felt skeptical, try to listen more when the women in your life talk about their cycles. You don't necessarily need to strap on a machine to believe that a biological process can be debilitating. If you do end up trying one, pay attention to how your body tries to "guard" against the pain—that's the tension many women carry for a week every single month.
For Partners:
Use the popularity of these simulators as a conversation starter. You might say, "I saw this guy try a period simulator today, and it looked brutal. Is that what yours feels like, or is it different?" It’s a low-pressure way to open up about health.
For Educators:
Bringing a simulator into a health class or a workplace (with consent and proper medical supervision) can be a powerful tool for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. It’s hard to harbor biases against "hormonal" behavior when you realize the person is functioning while their body is essentially tasing itself.
The period simulator for men is more than a gimmick. It’s a bridge. It’s a way to turn an invisible, internal experience into something visible and visceral. While it can’t capture the full complexity of a menstrual cycle, it’s a damn good start at closing the empathy gap.
If you're looking to buy one or try one at an event, look for brands like Somax or check for local health expos that feature "empathy booths." Just remember: when the machine turns off for you, it doesn't turn off for millions of others. Use that knowledge to be a better, more informed human.
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Check the settings. Start low. Brace yourself. You’re about to learn a lot more than you thought you would.
Actionable Insight: If you want to experience the closest thing to a period cramp without a simulator, look up "TENS unit placement for menstrual cramps" and see how it's used to block pain. To simulate it, the pads are usually placed on the lower rectus abdominis. However, the most effective "next step" is simply reading the clinical descriptions of dysmenorrhea on sites like the Mayo Clinic or ACOG to understand the systemic effects of the cycle beyond just the pain. Knowledge is the ultimate simulator.