For many years, people have used marijuana for all sorts of conditions, including those related to fertility and the reproductive system. With the increases in cannabis legalization taking place across the USA and in other countries around the world, scientists are making even more discoveries about the importance of the endocannabinoid system in the reproductive process. Here we will explore the latest findings on whether or not cannabis affects the menstrual cycle and a woman’s period.
Marijuana And Period Cramps
In cultures around the globe, for generations, people have used cannabis as a component of the herbal medicines that have been administered to women suffering from painful menstrual cramping. In fact, it’s even been noted that Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom was given marijuana to soothe her period cramps.
In more current times, women have continued to use cannabis to help deal with their period cramps, and, in many cases, have reported feeling relief. However, there haven’t been any formal studies done that would indicate that these findings are scientifically proven. What we do know is that THC can act as a painkiller as well as antinociceptive, which basically stops nerves from sensing pain in the body.
And, since CBD, as well as THC, has been proven to reduce inflammation, it’s likely that women using cannabis to treat menstrual cramps are indeed feeling a reduction in their levels of discomfort. Some women may find that CBD alone is enough to reduce their cramp symptoms while menstruating.
Marijuana and PMS
Ask any woman who has suffered from PMS and they’ll tell you that their symptoms can be quite an inconvenience. Due to fluctuations in hormone levels, for many women the premenstrual phase can mean they are in for several days of uncomfortable symptoms simply because progesterone and other hormones significantly increase during this phase while others decrease.
PMS, which is the abbreviation for “premenstrual syndrome” refers to a group of symptoms that can show up a few days before a woman’s menstruation begins. Some of the most common symptoms that women who experience PMS have reported include:
- Bloating
- Cramps
- Pain in breasts
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Fatigue
In the past, doctors may have prescribed additional progesterone to women suffering from especially bad PMS symptoms, but more recent research has shown that doing so was largely ineffective.
Migraine relief from cannabis
It’s been well documented that marijuana can be helpful in treating both headaches and migraines. And, with as many as nearly fifty percent of women who suffer from PMS reporting headaches as one of their major symptoms, marijuana might be considered a prime treatment for period-related headaches. It has been noted that rather than smoking cannabis to treat migraines, individuals might instead consider edibles or vaporizers as an appropriate method for treatment.
Marijuana to treat sleeping issues
In addition to the plethora of other PMS symptoms that women can experience, many report having issues with sleeping during both the premenstrual and menstrual periods. Certain marijuana strains are frequently cited as useful sleep aids. CBD, as well as THC, have both shown positive results in treating sleeping disorders.
Moodiness and marijuana
During the menstrual cycle, women experience a huge fluctuation in the production of hormones which can lead to frequent mood changes. This emotional roller coaster of imbalances in hormones can leave women feeling stressed out, depressed, or anxious. Luckily, cannabis has been shown to compensate for mood changes like these, helping women deal with these side effects with much more ease.
Should marijuana be considered for treating PMS?
Overall, there are not any conclusive studies that point to cannabis as a solid treatment option for PMS as a whole. However, depending on the symptoms of an individual woman, she may find that the CBD or THC in cannabis can alleviate some of her symptoms, particularly those that may be related to headaches, sleeplessness, or poor mood. As always, please consult with a medical professional before utilizing cannabis to treat any medical issue, including PMS or other menstruation-related issues.
More marijuana while menstruating
If you are a regular user of cannabis, you may notice that you require more marijuana than usual during your period of menstruation. This is due to fluctuating estrogen levels during the time just before and during your period. Estrogen is at its highest during ovulation, and then it dips lower during PMS and the menstrual cycle. When there is less estrogen in the body, it takes more work to break down THC, resulting in higher levels being required to reach the desired effect.
The best marijuana for relief from period symptoms
If you’re looking for a great source of marijuana seeds that can potentially aid you with dealing with the symptoms of PMS and menstruation, be sure to check out Pacific Seed Bank’s huge selection of feminized cannabis seeds. Let us know which strains work best for you!