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Léa | ⏳ 3 min read
What is the male equivalent of period pain? What does it really feel like?
Have you ever wondered what it's like to have your period? If you're a man, the answer is probably no. And that's perfectly normal: this pain is invisible, often minimized, sometimes even mocked. Yet, millions of women experience it every month, for years.
So, is there a male equivalent of period pain? A comparable sensation that would help understand what women feel? That's the question we'll answer together, without taboo and with kindness.
Why period pain is so difficult to explain
An internal and invisible pain
Menstrual pain, called dysmenorrhea, comes from uterine contractions. The uterus contracts to shed its lining, and these contractions can be very intense. The problem? This pain is completely internal. It cannot be seen, it leaves no trace, and it is therefore difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced it.
A pain that has always been trivialized
For a long time, period pain was considered "normal," or even exaggerated. Many women grew up hearing that they had to "deal with it" or "not make a big deal out of it." The result: a real, sometimes debilitating pain, which remains largely misunderstood by those who do not experience it.
What is the male equivalent of period pain?
The most common comparisons
There is no perfect equivalent, as men do not have a uterus. But some male pains are often cited as points of comparison:
Renal colic: an intense pain caused by a kidney stone. It causes violent and sudden abdominal cramps. Some women who have experienced both affirm that painful periods are similar.
Severe abdominal cramps: intense gastroenteritis or food poisoning can cause painful abdominal contractions. This is what comes closest to the sensation of uterine cramping.
A blow to the testicles: often cited, but the comparison is imperfect. This pain is acute and brief, whereas period pain is chronic and can last for several days.
What studies say
A study published in the Journal of Women's Health showed that severe menstrual pain can reach a level comparable to a heart attack in terms of perceived intensity. This is not an exaggeration: it is a documented medical reality.
The problem is that this pain returns every month, for 30 to 40 years. Imagine experiencing renal colic every 28 days. It makes you think, doesn't it?
The period simulator: making the invisible felt
How does it work?
Since it's impossible to transplant a uterus into a man to make him understand, technology has found a solution: the period pain simulator.
This small device uses electrostimulation (EMS) to send electrical impulses to the abdominal muscles. These impulses cause contractions similar to those felt during menstruation. The result? A sensation of cramping, pressure, sometimes sharp pain, which gives an insight into what women experience every month.
An experience that changes perspectives
Videos of the male period simulator have gone viral on social media. You can see men wincing, doubling over, sometimes giving up after a few seconds. And that's not even the maximum level.
This is not a gadget for mockery. It is a true awareness tool that allows for:
- Creating empathy between partners
- Opening dialogue about menstrual pain
- Helping understand why some women can't "just carry on as if nothing happened"
What about labor pain?
If menstrual cramps intrigue you, know that there is also a contraction simulator that reproduces the sensations of childbirth. Same principle, but with different intensities and modes to simulate uterine contractions during labor. An even more intense experience for those who want to fully understand.
Why it's important to talk about it
Breaking the taboo of menstruation
Menstruation affects half of the world's population, yet we still talk about it in hushed tones. By raising awareness among men about this reality, we help break a taboo that no longer has a place in 2026.
Better supporting the women in your life
Understanding pain also means better supporting others. A partner who has felt cramps via a simulator will be more inclined to offer help, not minimize the pain, and show patience during these difficult days.
Recognizing pain as legitimate
Too many women suffer in silence because they've been told "it's normal." By openly discussing the intensity of these pains and allowing men to feel them, we finally legitimize what millions of women experience every month.
Léa | Naturopath specializing in the female cycle
Since 2022, I have been writing content to educate you on all topics related to painful periods (PMS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, simulator, etc.).
