If you’re wondering how this differs from a hot water bottle, Dr. Hannah Schroeder, who specializes in Naturopathic Medicine explains: “Heating pads are usually electric, so unlike a hot water bottle, a heating pad doesn’t need to be filled with hot water every time you want to use it — you can just plug it into any outlet near you”. They can also be a more effective option for women who have more intense menstrual cramps, or endometriosis which can cause more debilitating uterine cramping. “Just plug the cord into an electric outlet, turn the pad on, and you’re good to go,” she adds. The Flyhorse USB Heating Belt is completely portable once you charge it fully, and we especially like that it has 4 heat settings and 4 vibration massage levels to choose from– to best fit your needs. Ensure all grilling / browning facilities are turned off and do not place near a direct heat source. Adrienne Ton, APRN-CNP, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Director of Clinical Operations at TBD Health. She hopes to create more positive experiences for those who’ve traditionally had bad (even traumatizing) experiences with their sexual health in the medical settings.

It can also vasodilate blood vessels, which increases blood flow and circulation “to reduce stiffness and pain,” according to Karena Wu, PT, DPT, physical therapist and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy. This is a form of heat therapy that uses heat to increase the blood flow to the affected area. You can experience similar relief when taking a hot, soothing bath.

Okay, are heating pads safe?

Heat often soothes muscles in pain by increasing circulation and helping muscles stretch,” explains Clearing chief medical officer and pain specialist, Dr. Jacob Hascalovici. Clearing is a digital healthcare platform for those with chronic pain. Adrienne Ton, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and Director of Clinical Operations at TBD Health says that the best place to put the pad is typically on the lower abdomen, over where the uterus causing the cramping is. “Basically, below the belly button but above the mons pubis.” She suggests making sure there’s a towel between your body and the heated source to avoid burns or sensitive skin. Be aware of whether the heating pad will turn off automatically. “Some heating pads are programmed to shut themselves off after a certain amount of time or if they don’t detect motion to help prevent burns to the skin,” says Hascalovici.

When deciding what heating setting to use, it’s important to understand the different types: dry heat and moist heat. Electric heating pads produce dry heat, Dr. Raineri says. An electric heating pad can be convenient because it offers a wide range of temperatures. Battery-operated heat pads can last up to 6 hours per charge, depending on the battery capacity, gel heat pads stay warm for up to 30 minutes, and electric hot water bottles stay warm for about 5-6 hours, though you can not control the temperature. We recommend adding a non-portable, larger infrared heating pad you can sleep on or use while you relax at home.One major perk is how portable they are. You can take your heating pad with you almost anywhere — to the bedroom, the couch, when traveling, and even in the car. Chiropractor Dr. Blessen Abraham likes that most heating pads are flexible, giving you the ability to wrap them around a joint.

This results in restricted blood circulation, which sends pain signals to the brain. Can You Use a Cordless Heating Pads While Sleeping? Plus, heat decreases stiffness as well as injury and increases flexibility and overall feeling of comfort.

With a chemical filling (often activated charcoal) and adhesive application, these have more of a deep, artificial heat feeling. That said, lots of buyers of these patches have attested to their effectiveness, so they're not to be overlooked. While there are lots of ways to soothe them, one common tactic is to use a heating pad. It not only feels comforting, but it can also help relieve pain. To select the best heating pads for menstrual cramps and muscle aches, one reporter interviewed three medical professionals for their input on how heating pads work and what to look out for in the best options. Using our expert’s advice, we combed through offerings from multiple retailers to find top-rated heating pads. We included a mix of portable heating pads, microwavable heating pads, and cordless heating pads. Learn more about us here.