11 Best Heating Pads for Cramps 2022 That'll Ease Menstrual Cycle

By Jennifer Hussein

Anyone who menstruates knows that the painful cramps that often coincide with your period can be agonizing. Yes, you can always take a painkiller, but heating pads for cramps are also extremely useful for easing lower abdomen and back pain related to menstruation.

According to Ana G. Cepin, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University in New York, these wraps, pads, and pillows utilize heat therapy to relax the uterine muscle and provide menstrual pain relief within minutes. "Heating pads definitely help with period cramps just like they help soothe other muscular pains," she says.

Your period — and the cramps that tend to come with it — can surprise you at any moment, so we found the best heating pads and wraps for just about any scenario. Staying at home? Then treat yourself to an extra-large heating pad that you can lay your entire body on or a wearable option for walking around your space with little to no pain. If you're on the go, there are also plenty of single-use stick-on pads that'll fit in any small bag or purse, too. Below, take a look at the 11 best menstrual heating pads for cramp relief no matter where you are.

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We're firm believers in the aromatherapeutic properties of lavender, which is one of the reasons why we'd gladly cuddle up with the Uncommon Goods Calming Lavender Heat Pillow. This floral-patterned pillow is filled with microwavable barley and lavender for warmth and to relax your olfactory senses. Just two minutes in the microwave is all this pillow needs to be warm and toasty.

If you're looking for an affordable, simple-to-use option, Attmu's Rubber Hot Water Bottle is your best bet. It's made of thermoplastic for long-lasting heat and comes with an adorable sweater-knit cover to protect your skin from burning. Not to mention, this reusable water bottle can also be used for cold therapy, too.

Say bye to bulky heat pads by switching over to the ultra-thin Cora The Simply Soothing Heat Patch. Each box comes with three of the brand's activated carbon-powered heat patches, which are 7.5-inches long and contoured to deliver heat across your abdomen or lower back for up to eight hours. Simply stick it onto your underwear or clothing and you're all set — Considering how paper-thin these patches are, no one will ever know you're wearing one.

Rael's Heating Patch for Menstrual Cramps is here to soothe your most painful period scenarios, no matter where you are. Each box comes with eight thin, contoured patches that stick right onto clothing and provide instant heat relief for up to eight hours. These heat pads are also infused with aromatic rose, lemon, and jasmine oils, but sensitive skin types may want to opt for an unscented option.

In need of more coverage? ThermaCare's Portable Lower Back and Hip Heating Pad literally has your back covered. This extra-large heat wrap is air-activated to instantly warm up and provide soothing heat for up to 16 hours. The wrap covers large areas of your body, yet, they're thin enough to wear under a T-shirt without anyone noticing.

Those who would rather have one reusable heating pad instead of restocking on single-use options should give the Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL Heating Pad a try. This cozy 12-inch by 24-inch pad has a machine-washable microfiber cover and six heat settings, ranging from warm to high, to suit your comfort levels. With its nine-foot power cord, you can roam about your space freely while easing your cramps.

As its name suggests, you won't be tethered to your wall's outlet with the Sunbeam GoHeat Cordless Heating Pad. This rechargeable heat wrap provides up to four hours of heat in a single charge (albeit on its lowest setting) and has three heat levels for easing muscle pain. This wearable heat pad has an adjustable strap that fits up to 55 inches around for hands-free heat therapy.

The Ostrichpillow Heatbag is a multifunctional pick that can be used hot or cold, thanks to its inner clay core that quickly heats up or chills muscles. This microwavable heating pad also comes with a heather gray smart foam case that retains its temperature.

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UTK's extra-large Jade Far Infrared Heating Pad may look like something out of a swanky spa, and it feels just as luxuriously soothing as it looks. This heating pad swaps gel and water cores for 126 jade stones, which heat up faster and retain heat longer. This 21-inch by 31-inch pad also has an auto shut-off feature that's enabled after four hours of use and comes with an attached remote control to set heat levels anywhere between 103 to 159 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Geniani Extra Large Electric Heating Pad is as good as it gets when it comes to heating pads. This 12-inch by 24-inch pad is made from a soft, machine-washable microfiber material that feels warm and cozy as it immediately provides much-needed heat. It only takes 30 seconds to heat up and has three temperature levels: low (104 degrees Fahrenheit), medium (122 degrees Fahrenheit), and high (140 degrees Fahrenheit).

We love Lola's Menstrual Cramp Heating Patches, and that's not just because one three-count box is less than $10. Each of the brand's stick-on, single-use patches provides up to 11 hours of relaxing heat at 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

By Angela Trakoshis

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