Livia

Livia Review: A Detailed Look

By Lydia Noyes

HighYa Staff

Updated on: Mar 27, 2020

Medically Reviewed by Anthony Dugarte, M.D., C.S.C.S

Millions of women combat the monthly pain of menstrual cramps by taking over the counter medications, but many wonder if there’s a better way to manage their symptoms.

Livia claims to be a drug-free, hormone-free solution to period pain. This subtle device should be worn against your skin, and by pushing a button, you can make it stimulate your nerves to block pain.

The company claims that using Livia is safe for all users and capable of providing immediate relief.

Can using Livia really help you feel like yourself again amid period pain? In this analysis, we’ll investigate whether Livia will work as described and whether it’s worth the investment.

How Does Livia Work?

Livia’s underlying technology is based on what’s known as the Gate Control Theory. Doctor Anthony Dugarte, HighYa’s medical content writer, tells us that this theory was first developed in the 60s by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall.

The theory’s premise is that pain sensations associated with injuries are transmitted to the brain from the peripheral nerves through the spinal cord. Along the way, the pain signal encounters “gates” it must go through to continue passing on the message. If these gates are closed, your brain can’t sense the pain.

“The interplay between the central and peripheral nervous systems is complex and not completely understood, says Dugarte. “Nonetheless, it seems as though a number of factors can affect whether the nerve gates are open or closed.”

Products like Livia work to close these gates by stimulating your nerves so that you don’t feel pain in real-time. This device uses the company’s patented “SmartWave” technology to send out electric micro-pulses to prevent you from feeling menstrual pain.

Once you start using the device, you should experience some level of pain relief within a minute.

Livia utilizes similar mechanisms of action to TENS units (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), as both provide pain relief through stimulatory impulses.

They will differ in their pulse frequency and the specific waveforms they send out. The company claims that Livia is the only TENS-style product optimized explicitly for period pain.

Clinical Studies

Livia has undergone three clinical trials since its creation in 2016. Below is a summary of the results from these studies:

• Study 1: 61 women were assessed for menstrual pain over four cycles. 90% experienced pain relief when using a Livia prototype, 31% reported complete relief, and 32% found that it delivered relief faster than drugs.

• Study 2: 102 women monitored their menstrual pain for four cycles, using an improved prototype. 86% reported pain relief, 57% experienced complete pain relief, and 72.5% stated it worked faster than drugs.

• Study 3: 65 women monitored period pain for two cycles. Half used a Livia prototype, and half used a sham device that created tingling sensations for the first cycle, and then both groups switched. The study found a statistically significant difference between the prototype and sham device, and participants reported general improvements in their quality of life after using it.

Though these findings seem promising for Livia’s effectiveness, it’s essential to keep them in context.

“While the independent testing does add some merit to their claims, they have yet to be published,” Dugarte shares. “This means they have not gone through a rigorous peer-review process to determine if their methods were sound.”

Likewise, the sample sizes are small and might not be indicative of the general population’s response to the device. Saying that, it seems that Livia and similar products do show promise for managing period pain for some users.

Side Effects

Livia works externally, which means that it doesn’t have any impact on your menstrual cycle, hormone balance, or other functions.

Likewise, there are no known side effects associated with using the device as described. The one exception is if you have a heart pacemaker, as the device’s electrical impulses may interfere with it. Don’t use Livia if you have one.

How to Use Livia

Livia comes as a small colored device (about the size of an MP3 player) with two connected electrode pads that come pre-coated with gel.

You are meant to stick onto your skin at the site of the pain, usually your lower stomach or back. Secure the device in your pocket or by clipping It to your pants and turn it on.

It’s designed to be inconspicuous to wear throughout daily life or even while exercising – though keep it from getting wet.

The device can be recharged through a micro USB cable, and a single charge should last up to 14 hours.

A small LED indicator above the power button shows you what level the device is set on and how to adjust it from high to low intensity. There are 16 settings total, and tapping the button four times will increase it by one.

Pricing and Refund Information

It’s possible to purchase Livia off the company website in two different packages.

You can also purchase a six-month supply of gel pods from the company website for $29.

With the subscription plan, you will have paid the cost of purchasing Livia outright after about 15 months. Note that you must sign up for a minimum of four months. You can return your Livia and cancel your subscription at any time after.

It’s also possible to purchase Livia “skins” to change the color and texture of your device. Each costs $12.

All one-time Livia purchases come with a 120-day money-back guarantee. If you aren’t happy with your purchase, message the company to initiate a refund. The device must be in good physical condition, and you are responsible for all taxes and return shipping costs.

Analysis of Customer Reviews

There are more than 90 reviews for Livia here on HighYa, averaging 3.2 stars. Here’s are the most common trends:

Compliments:

• Easy to take out in public when necessary
• Reduces period pain as well as painkillers or a heating pad
• Period relief without side effects

Complaints:

• Slow refund process or refund not honored
• Didn’t relieve period pain as promised
• Might not be big enough for plus-sized users

Popular Alternatives to Livia

There are several options for those looking for medication-free period relief besides Livia. Two options you might consider include the LILAS pain relief patch and the Careboo device.

Both Livia and Careboo operate similarly by tapping into neural impulse blocking through the Gate Control Theory. Both act as TENS devices to prevent pain sensations from reaching your brain.

The Careboo device costs close to half of what you’ll pay for Livia, though the battery only lasts a third as long. This may be a problem for some users, as it means that you can only wear the Careboo for a few hours each day.

Another potential concern is the lack of reviews for Careboo, which makes it harder to know if you’re making a smart purchase. Likewise, Careboo doesn’t offer a lifetime subscription option like Livia, which may be a deciding factor for some people.

The LILAS pain relief patch operates differently. Rather than working through electrical impulses, it provides a solution of menthol and essential oils for natural pain reliefs.

Topical menthol is a common pain-relief strategy that one study found more effective than ice for alleviating muscle pain.

These patches are single-use, but they are more discrete than Livia and Careboo, and you won’t have to worry about charging them. Assuming that the average woman uses five per cycle, they will cost $9 per period, which is $1 more per month than a Livia subscription.

The Bottom Line: Is Livia Worth It?

Livia claims to offer women with painful periods a drug-free way to get their lives back with minimal inconvenience for their daily lives. The existing clinical trials are small, but they indicate this electrical stimulus device could be effective for many people.

“I do like that Livia is non-invasive, drug-free, and FDA approved,” says Dugarte. “Independent clinical testing shared by Livia demonstrated safety and efficacy when this product is used as directed.”

However, it’s important to acknowledge that there are multiple causes of menstrual pain, and a device like Livia merely works to cover up the symptoms rather than addressing the problem.

Dugarte is concerned that using the device might cause you to delay seeking medical treatment for your pain that could potentially lead to the diagnosis of a serious health issue.

If you deal with chronic, debilitating menstrual pain, it’s best to talk with your doctor about your symptoms. They might suggest you use a device like Livia to make the pain more manageable, but it’s crucial to rule out other health problems first.