Menstrual pain

It is very common among people who menstruate to suffer from a multitude of pains and discomforts before, during and even after the menstrual cycle. From pre-menstrual syndrome to the ovulation period , CBD can help relieve period pain. and other symptoms of menstrual cycle-related diseases such as endometriosis . ( 1 )

What is CBD?

CBD is one of the two most abundant active ingredients with the greatest medicinal potential in the Cannabis plant, along with THC. If you want to learn more about CBD and scientific studies about its effect on the human body, we recommend our article: What is CBD?

Symptoms of menstruation

In the body of a person of childbearing age, a process occurs in which the ovaries produce hormones that cause inflammation of the uterus due to an increase in the lining cells . The period or menstruation occurs when these tissues along with blood are eliminated from the uterus through the vagina. When the menstrual cycle begins, our body increases the production of prostaglandins , natural components that increase sensitivity to pain, generate inflammation and strong contractions and even circulation problems. The hormones that control the menstrual cycle cause a series of other changes in the brain that influence psychological functions and emotions. It should be noted that not only during the menstrual period itself but also during the previous stage (what is known as premenstrual syndrome) the following types of symptoms may occur:

• Pain or cramps in the pelvic and abdominal area.
• Pain in the lower back area
• Pain, swelling, and/or tenderness in the breasts.
• Changes in appetite.
• Mood swings and irritability
• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Acne breakouts

It is difficult for menstruating people to lead a normal daily life when they are experiencing these painful periods or other symptoms when they are severe or occur simultaneously , so it is common to take medication to relieve period pain. Approximately more than 84% of people of childbearing age who have periods have experienced some of these discomforts in their last menstrual cycles according to a study conducted in 2012 and every 1 in 4 menstruating people suffer from debilitating pain and seek medication.( 1 )

What about endometriosis?

It is a common mistake to confuse cramps or other pain related to menstruation (primary dysmenorrhea) with the symptoms of endometriosis (secondary dysmenorrhea) due to its relationship with the menstrual cycle. CBD can also be beneficial for this condition due to its common symptoms and the area it affects , but as we have discussed, they are two different things.

Dysmenorrhea, bloating and cramps

According to a 2011 study , CBD can selectively inhibit the production of cyclooxygenase, the enzyme responsible for inflammation. ( 5 )

Irritability

Preclinical evidence shows that CBD has anxiolytic properties . CBD acts on CB1 receptors modulating the activity of the insula and amygdala, areas of the brain involved in basic emotions for survival such as fear, sadness, disgust and also happiness and love. ( 7 )( 8 ) CBD also acts on 5-HT1a receptors that modulate the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. In this way , it could reduce some of the emotional disorders characteristic of the menstrual and premenstrual cycle . ( 9 )

Hormonal acne breakouts

Preclinical evidence points out how CBD acts on our skin ( 11 ) If you want to know more, check out our article: Benefits of CBD for the skin.

Who Should Not Use CBD for Menstrual Pain?

In the clinical study mentioned above (dose and frequency) some criteria are collected for why people should not use CBD :

• Pregnant or breastfeeding people .
• People with allergies to Cannabis or the Cannabaceae plant family.
• People with treatment involving medication. ( 16 )
• People taking contraceptives containing estrogen or Ethinyl Estradiol (synthetic estrogen)

Can CBD affect fertility?

There are not enough studies to draw conclusions about how Cannabidiol affects fertility. It is worth mentioning that, as stated in this study , THC can cause changes in the hypothalamus, inhibiting part of its activity and therefore affecting normal hormonal behavior. ( 17 )

Side effects

Side effects associated with CBD are mild to moderate and include: drowsiness, headache, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness and decreased appetite. However, the lack of clinical studies does not allow us to make statements about whether CBD represents an effective treatment on its own for these ailments. If you are considering trying CBD as a remedy for period pain, you should consult with your doctor or specialist for recommendations and advice on your particular case. We hope that regulatory progress and clinical studies will shed more light on how cannabinoids can reduce these menstrual-related discomforts. Literature

1. Grandi G, Ferrari S, Xholli A, et al. Prevalence of menstrual pain in young women: what is dysmenorrhea? . J Pain Res . (2012)
2. Nida Noreen, et al. Is Cannabidiol a Promising Substance for New Drug Development? A Review of its Potential Therapeutic Applications . Critical Reviews™ in Eukaryotic Gene Expression. (2020)
3. Otrubova K, Ezzili C, Boger DL. The Discovery and Development of Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) . Bioorg Med Chem Lett. (2011)
4. Nagarkatti, P. et al. “ Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs .” Future medicinal chemistry 17 (2009).
5. Ruhaak LR, Felth J, Karlsson PC, Rafter JJ, Verpoorte R, Bohlin L. Evaluation of the cyclooxygenase inhibiting effects of six major cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa. Biol Pharm Bull . (2011)
6. Bohonyi N, Pohóczky K, Szalontai B, et al. Local upregulation of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 ion channels in rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis. Mol Pain . (2017)
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8. Brian C. Shonesy, et al. Genetic Disruption of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Synthesis Reveals a Key Role for Endocannabinoid Signaling in Anxiety Modulation . Cell Reports: Volume 9 , ISSUE 5, P1644-1653, (2014)
9. CBD and the Psychedelic Receptor . Project CBD. (2017)
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11. Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, Sugawara K, Szöllõsi AG, Czifra G, Pál B, Ambrus L, Kloepper J, Camera E, et al. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. J Clin Invest . (2014)
12. Sinclair J, Smith CA, Abbott J, Chalmers KJ, Pate DW, Armor M. Cannabis Use, a Self-Management Strategy Among Australian Women With Endometriosis: Results From a National Online Survey . J Obstet Gynaecol Can . (2020)
13. Sublingual Tablets With Cannabinoid Combinations for the Treatment of Dysmenorrhea. Clinical trial. USA. (2020)
14. Effect of Cannabinoid (THC/CBD 50%) on Hyperalgesia in Patients With Deep Endometriosis (EdomTHC) . Clinical Trial. BCN. (2019)
15. Cannabis and Birth Control: What You Need to Know . Natural Health Services. 2017
16. Chun Guang Li1,* Alsherbiny MA, Li CG. Medicinal Cannabis-Potential Drug Interactions. Medicines (Basel). (2018)
17. The Endocrine Society Marijuana may impair female fertility . ScienceDaily. (2020)