Many people use CBD for health reasons, but women, especially, can benefit from CBD, as it’s often used to soothe symptoms of menstruation, PMS, menopause, and more. But how exactly can CBD help women, and what does the research say about the link between CBD and women’s health*?
CBD is a non-intoxicating chemical that naturally occurs in cannabis and hemp plants. Cannabis has actually been used in gynecology for millennia, according to a review in the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics. In ancient medicine, cannabis was used to soothe painful periods, remedy morning sickness, and even help ease pain during childbirth.
Nowadays, modern technology has made it possible for us to extract CBD from cannabis and hemp plants. Research shows that CBD could have a range of health benefits, but it has the added bonus of not making us feel high. What’s more is that it’s considered a non-addictive substance.
So how exactly does this health product help women? Here’s what you need to know about using CBD for women’s health.
CBD for menstrual cramps
Menstrual cramps have an important job. They’re caused by prostaglandins, hormones that cause the uterus to contract. These contractions help the uterus shed its lining. While this is an important job, these cramps can also be extremely painful.
If you have bad menstrual cramps, CBD might be able to help you. While the effects of CBD on menstrual cramps have not been confirmed by research, many studies show that CBD might be able to help with pain in general. For example, an extensive 2018 review found that CBD could be effective at reducing pain.
Although it needs to be studied further, many people believe that CBD is especially good at soothing menstrual pain.
CBD for autoimmune conditions
Women are more likely to have autoimmune disorders, which include conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS). A key characteristic of autoimmune conditions is inflammation – something CBD seems to reduce – which is why many experts are hopeful that CBD could help.
The above-mentioned 2018 review on CBD and pain especially looked at fibromyalgia as well as cancer-related pain and neuropathic pain. It concluded that CBD could effectively help with fibromyalgia-related pain. Another 2018 study concluded that CBD could improve mobility in people with MS.
While CBD and autoimmune conditions must be studied further, many people swear by using CBD to manage their symptoms. We advise you to talk to your doctor if you want to use CBD to help with your symptoms, especially if you’re taking any other medication.
CBD for depression and anxiety
Of course, women are not the only people who struggle with depression and anxiety: anyone can have these conditions, no matter their gender. However, depression and anxiety can often be exacerbated by PMS, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.
This is where CBD comes in handy. CBD is often used to boost mood and soothe stress, although the link between CBD and mood needs to be studied more.
A 2011 study concluded that CBD could reduce the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. A promising 2018 review looked at multiple studies and concluded that CBD could reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, another anxiety disorder. Lastly, one 2018 review of studies showed that CBD could reduce stress.
Some animal studies suggest that CBD can also help with depression. For example, a 2010 study and a 2014 study concluded that CBD could soothe both anxiety and depression. A 2019 study also noted that CBD seemed to reduce depression in animal models. However, this needs to be studied further before we know for sure.
Incorporating CBD into your self-care routine can be a great way to relax, unwind, and self-soothe.
CBD for menopause
Menopause comes with a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including joint pain, inflammation, mood swings, and more. As mentioned above, CBD could help with these issues. Many people massage CBD topicals onto their joints or take an extra dosage when they’re struggling with mood swings.
Additionally, CBD could help with bone density, according to some research. This is helpful, because bone density tends to decrease with age and especially after menopause. And, while it hasn’t been studied in detail, many women claim that CBD soothes hot flashes.
Another common symptom of menopause is insomnia. CBD has been associated with better sleep. One 2017 review noted that CBD could help soothe insomnia, REM sleep disorders, and daytime sleepiness. More recently, a 2019 study found CBD to be helpful for participants who had anxiety and insomnia.
Plenty of perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women use CBD to manage their symptoms naturally. Speak to your doctor if you’re interested in using CBD for menopause.
Is CBD safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Unfortunately, we don’t know. CBD hasn’t been tested on pregnant women, which means that we don’t know if it’s safe. No studies suggest that it is dangerous, but it’s strongly advised that you err on the side of caution. Rather avoid CBD if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to use CBD for women’s health
Most experts suggest taking a consistent dose of CBD every day will yield the best results. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before using any new health product, especially if you’re currently taking medications. Chat with a CBD-friendly doctor in your area if you’d like to use it for health reasons.
CBD has a range of potential benefits for women, from soothing menstrual cramps to helping with the symptoms of menopause. Many women benefit from using CBD in their daily routines. If you’d like to purchase high-quality CBD products, shop our range here.
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*This article is for education only and is not to be taken as medical advice nor is it meant to treat, diagnose or cure any medical condition,.