CONTENTS
1. Women, Health, and CBD
2. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Beauty Products
2.1 CBD for PMS
2.2 CBD for Beauty Products
3. CBD and Hormone Imbalance
4. CBD and Sex
5. CBD and Menopause
5.1 Cannabidiol for Bone Health
5.2 Insomnia and Anxiety in the Later Years
6. Conclusion
Women, Health, and CBD
Yes, we're complex creatures. Even our physiology is more complex than the male physiology. After all, we have organs and structures designed to conceive and grow life inside of us.
For this reason, it's obvious that women's health and bodies need to be treated somewhat differently than men's. Cannabidiol (CBD), our favorite cannabinoid from hemp Cannabis sativa L., is a partner without parallel in this regard. The compound can support women of all ages in different ways.
But before counting the ways, it would be prudent to note that very little clinical research has been done on this topic specifically. There's just not much scientific data available yet.
Yet, the available evidence of its usefulness is encouraging.
CBD is, in addition, generally considered safe to use, even in large and chronic doses. As one recent article from the Trends in Pharmacological Sciences concludes: [1]
Also:
...it is incumbent upon the scientific and medical communities to (better understand) the mechanisms of action of CBD, its limitations, and particularly the myths and misconceptions that its meteoric rise in popularity have engendered.
So, feel encouraged to debunk your own myths by experimenting with CBD in all its preparations. And be prepared to fall in love with it as you do.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Beauty Products
Mme de Beauvoir was an existential philosopher, so in this quote, "woman" is an abstract concept. But as every teen girl knows–at some point, it feels like you inhabit the body of an alien.
Hormones rage, your body changes shape, and well, the world becomes a lot more demanding of you, it feels.
1. CBD for PMS
Which woman doesn't know the woes of menstrual periods? For some, it is a very stressful time of the month, mostly because of the changes in mood and sometimes abdominal bloating and pain. Especially if the latter symptoms are very severe, it could potentially indicate endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition driven by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Scar tissue forms outside of the uterus, which causes blood flow issues and other symptoms, according to a publication by the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh.[2]
Cannabidiol for inflammation, stress, and anxiety are some of the best-researched fields of study in cannabis medicine. CBD has been shown to alleviate chronic inflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis. So, it takes no stretch of the imagination to see how it could assist with alleviating PMS and related conditions, too. [3][4]
Full-spectrum CBD—with a measure of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—could alleviate period pain. Pain is often associated with higher levels of estrogen, which means that premenopausal women could benefit from THC's well-known analgesic properties.
2. CBD Beauty Products
The many near-magical properties of CBD translate beautifully to—well, beauty products. We love the glow and softness it can add to the skin.
CBD has also demonstrated action treating acne, but this still needs to be thoroughly investigated. Obviously, acne skin tends to be inflamed. Smoothing a light CBD lotion over the infected areas could bring improvement.
Because of this demonstrated anti-inflammatory action, CBD has also shown activity against skin conditions such as rashes and psoriasis.
RELATED: CBD Oil for Acne: Benefits That Will Blow Your Mind
CBD and Hormone Imbalance
As noted, the scientific data pertaining to CBD's action on the hormonal system is limited, and more longitudinal, clinical study is needed. Most research in this regard focused on cannabis, which contained other cannabinoids and cannabis compounds such as THC and terpenes.
However, we already understand that CBD is mediated through the endocannabinoid system. This system comprises a large number of different receptors spread throughout the body, including the endocrine system.
Again, it doesn't take much imagination or logic to conclude that CBD must, in some important way, affect women's hormones, too.
RELATED: A Surprising Natural Remedy for Thyroid Disorders
CBD and Sex
Sex life going down the tubes?
Consider massaging one another with a CBD balm. Not only will it soothe achy muscles (think a shoulder massage after a hectic day), but it could also set the mood for some love action. This intimate moment could be all the two of you need to ignite the fire of passion again.
Sometimes more is needed, though. Could cannabidiol be the answer?
The modern working woman is often too tired or stressed to even think of sex, let alone enjoy it. CBD's anxiolytic effects could soothe tension away with even a small dose and put a couple much more in the mood for love.
Most older women experience lowering of libido as the years advance. This is, among other factors, also due to hormonal changes. For this, full-spectrum CBD could be a good remedy.
One review of the literature, which was published in Sexual Medicine Reviews, looked into the effects of cannabinoids on female sexual function. The authors concluded that the evidence was interesting: [5]
A total of 12 human studies and 8 animal studies that evaluated the relationship between cannabinoids and female sexual function were included. Study types in animals were blinded, prospective, placebo-controlled trials. Human studies were based primarily on questionnaire data. The data indicate dose-dependent effects on female sexual desire and receptivity, such that low doses generally facilitate or have no effect but high doses inhibit.
The most prominent takeaway from this is the importance of correct dosing. Less sometimes seems to result in higher levels of sexual desire and willingness to engage in intercourse, while very high doses seem to inhibit the same. The necessity of experimenting with what works for you is also stressed.
Cannabis might have mixed effects on your sex life, an informal survey seems to suggest. Writing for Psychology Today, Michael Castleman (M.A.) notes: [6]
In the literature, those who call weed sex-inhibiting typically say that when stoned, they withdraw into themselves and lose the connection to their partner. Those who call pot sex-enhancing usually say that it boosts desire, increases arousal, enhances sensuality, and helps them feel closer to their partner.
He goes on to describe the survey he conducted a while ago in which he asked readers this question: "How does marijuana affect your sex life?"
The replies were self-selected, not random, he says, and not demographically representative.
Nonetheless, they're intriguing, largely because beyond saying that marijuana either improves or detracts from sex, quite a few respondents said something that has so far not turned up in the literature, "It depends."
The numbers, with sample user comments:
67% of respondents said marijuana enhances sex.
I'm not a frequent smoker, but when I have smoked and then had sex, it's been the most amazing sex of my life.
2% said marijuana destroys sex.
My boyfriend and I have smoked (fairly heavily) for the past year and I would say that it 100% has a terrible effect on our sex life. It's been a huge libido killer for our relationship.
20% said marijuana's sexual effect depends on the dose, strain, and the smoker's mood.
The effects of marijuana strongly relate to how a person is feeling prior to smoking. If I'm in a bad mood and smoke, sex is completely out of the question because, as you said, I withdraw into myself and just can't connect with anyone else. On the other hand, if my beau and I have had a great night out and top it off with a bowl, it's definitely got its merits.
For experimenting, make sure to buy a whole-plant CBD product, which contains some other cannabis components too. It won't cause the high marijuana is associated with (too little THC), but it could add that magic you need to ignite the fires of passion again.
CBD and Menopause
Menopause is sometimes associated with age-related diseases and niggling issues such as insomnia and increased anxiety. Can CBD help?
1. Cannabidiol for Bone Health
Menopausal women are especially vulnerable to loss of bone density—i.e., osteoporosis. Surprisingly, CBD has been shown to have exciting potential for bone health in general.
From an article on a 2014 study at Tel Aviv University, Israel: [7]
According to the research, the administration of the non-psychotropic component cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) significantly helps heal bone fractures. The study, conducted on rats with mid-femoral fractures, found that CBD—even when isolated from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of cannabis—markedly enhanced the healing process of the femora after just eight weeks.
While these results are preclinical, the cannabinoid's therapeutic potential is very promising.
In addition, an older review of the data concluded that "the endocannabinoid pathway could be of value as a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases." [8]
As exciting as these findings are, a lot more clinical study is necessary to figure out the exact mechanics of this effect. However, the current evidence (plus CBD's good safety profile) is enough reason for women to start on a CBD regimen from a young age.
2. Insomnia and Anxiety in the Later Years
Menopausal women sometimes find that they don't sleep as well as they used to. The reasons for this are complex and probably hormone-related, but stress and anxiety due to life changes could be contributing factors.
Research indicates that CBD may have an answer for this.
In one recent large, retrospective case series at a psychiatric clinic, the clinical application of CBD for anxiety and sleep complaints was investigated. This was done in seventy-two adults presenting with either anxiety or insomnia, and CBD was taken concurrently with their prescription medicine. [9]
RELATED: How to Use CBD for Better Quality Sleep
The results:
Anxiety scores decreased within the first month in 57 patients (79.2%) and remained decreased during the study duration. Sleep scores improved within the first month in 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated over time. In this chart review, CBD was well tolerated in all but 3 patients.
RELATED: How to Use CBD Hemp Oil for Anxiety Relief
Conclusion
There's no panacea for all women-related health or beauty issues, but CBD is a good health companion. Be sure to invest in a quality CBD product. If you're on chronic medication, inform your prescribing doctor of this addition.
Sources:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312223731_Cannabidiol_Claims_and_Misconceptions
- https://www.ed.ac.uk/centre-reproductive-health/exppect-pelvic-pain/information-for-patients/conditions/endometriosis
- http://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/20809/1/mBCN_2019_WoltersAT.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
- https://www.smr.jsexmed.org/article/S2050-0521(19)30077-0/fulltext
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-sex/201105/marijuana-and-sex-surprising-results-blogger-s-informal-survey
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150716124359.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499879/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30624194
