China – A young man in Henan had to be hospitalized and undergo surgery to remove part of his small intestine after experiencing simulated labor pain at his girlfriend’s request.

According to a March 3 report from NetEase News, a woman from Henan, central China, recently took her boyfriend to a local labor pain simulation center to conduct a “love test” before marriage.

The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, said her mother and sister believed it was necessary for the boyfriend to experience the challenges women go through before committing to marriage, to ensure he would treat his future wife well. Initially, the boyfriend refused the idea but eventually gave in under pressure from his girlfriend.

At the center, the man underwent a labor pain simulation using a device that delivers electrical stimulation to the skin and muscles, mimicking uterine contractions during childbirth. The intensity could be manually adjusted during the first 90 minutes, after which it remained at maximum strength.

“He was screaming and writhing in pain at level 8, crying and cursing at level 10. By the end of the session, he was out of breath. My sister and I had to constantly wipe the sweat off him,” the girlfriend said.

Photos of the boyfriend writhing in pain during the simulated labor went viral. (Image: Baidu)

After the session, the man was exhausted, complained of stomach pain, and began vomiting. A week later, the pain had intensified to the point where he had to be hospitalized. Doctors discovered damage to a section of his small intestine, which was beyond recovery and had to be surgically removed.

The young man's mother banned the girlfriend from visiting him in the hospital and announced that the family had called off the engagement and was preparing to sue her.

“I heard he had to have part of his intestine removed. I’m willing to take full responsibility, as long as he recovers,” the girlfriend stated.

The story has sparked intense debate across Chinese social media, with the majority of public opinion siding with the man and criticizing the woman.

“Many women today choose painless childbirth. The girlfriend should face legal consequences,” one commenter wrote.

“The pain of childbirth is a mix of physical and emotional responses—it can’t be fully simulated. True love doesn’t require tests. Time is the real proof,” another user added.