Medical Cannabis for Women’s Health

Over 75% of women experience menopause symptoms, often lasting for an average of seven years. Common challenges include:

• Low mood, anxiety, and depression

• Insomnia and fatigue

• Hot flushes and night sweats

Studies and patient reports indicate that high-CBD cannabis formulations during the day and small doses of THC at night can help regulate hormones, improve sleep, and reduce mood disturbances associated with perimenopause and menopause.

Medical Cannabis for Period Pain and PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects both mood and physical wellbeing. Key symptoms include cramps, headaches, irritability, and anxiety.

Medical cannabis can help by:

• Interacting with serotonin receptors, boosting mood and reducing irritability

• Acting as an anti-inflammatory, easing cramping and abdominal pain

• Supporting better sleep and relaxation during the menstrual cycle

This makes cannabis a potential alternative to traditional painkillers and hormonal interventions.

Medical Cannabis for Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK, causing severe pelvic pain, fatigue, and in some cases, infertility.

Emerging research suggests women with endometriosis may have fewer cannabinoid receptors, meaning they may benefit from targeted cannabinoid therapy. THC and CBD could help by:

• Reducing inflammation

• Inhibiting abnormal cell growth and migration

• Relieving chronic pain and improving quality of life

While more clinical trials are needed, many women report significant improvements with medical cannabis as part of their treatment plan.

Medical Cannabis for Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can be chronic and debilitating, with conventional treatments often involving pain medication, hormonal therapy, or surgery.

Patients in the UK have reported that medical cannabis helps to:

• Reduce pelvic and gastrointestinal pain

• Improve sleep quality

• Ease depression and anxiety linked to chronic pain

• Lower reliance on opioid painkillers and other medications

Medical cannabis has emerged as a promising alternative for women seeking relief from various physical and mental health conditions that traditional healthcare systems may have overlooked. Some of these women’s health conditions include:

• Endometriosis
• Menopause
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Period Pain and PMS
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Depending on the specific type of women’s health condition, they may suffer from:
Abdominal pain, pelvic or back pain during your period or in between periods

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Breast tenderness
• Changes in mood
• Difficulty in urination
• Fever and chills
• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
• Heavier, unpredictable, or irregular periods
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Infertility (difficulty becoming pregnant)
• Migraine pattern change
• Pain during intercourse
• Painful bowel movements or menstrual cramps
• Sleep problems
• Slowed metabolism
• Thinning hair
• Vaginal discharge or dryness
• Weight gain

These symptoms can come and go in periods known as relapses and flare-ups. Relapses refer to a loss of treatment gains or a regression to pre-treatment baselines whereas flare-ups refer to when symptoms are particularly severe.

Treatment for women’s health conditions will largely depend on the root cause of the condition or the underlying condition it’s related to. The most common treatment plans often include combinations of the following treatment options:

• Over-the-counter medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Prescription medications are often used to manage pain. However, for many people, a combination of treatments is most effective.
• Physical therapy
• Exercise
• Acupuncture
• Relaxation techniques
• Psychological counselling