According to studies conducted, 84% of women have experienced menstrual pain, and 43% reported having pain with every period. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful menstruation. In premenopausal women, a lining builds up in the uterus every month. This lining sheds at the end of the menstrual cycle, unless, of course, pregnancy has occurred during this period.
To shed this lining, muscles begin to constantly contract and relax until the lining flows out of the body. These irregular muscular movements of contraction and relaxation within a woman's lower abdomen often cause cramping and the typical pain associated with it.
HEMP OIL (CBD) FOR RELIEVING MENSTRUAL CRAMP PAIN.
CBD is a strong analgesic with no adverse effects, as demonstrated by multiple scientific studies.
In some cases, the pain from menstrual cramps can be reduced or completely relieved with hormonal birth control pills or anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs, as research has shown.
Almost all women suffering from menstrual pain have tried at least some of these big pharma medications. Although there is no specific research on the effects of CBD or cannabis in relation to menstrual cramps yet, there is a wave of anecdotal evidence flooding the world.
In relation to menstrual cramps, CBD has been scientifically shown to be effective in:
- Relieving pain
- Healing inflammation
- Alleviating spasticity and cramps (muscle relaxant)
- Balancing mood swings
Long-term side effects of birth control pills:
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Mood swings and other emotional issues
- Blood clots
- Facial brown spots
- Reduced sex drive
- Breast tenderness
Side effects of NSAIDs
In addition to the fact that NSAIDs have shown rather weak results in scientific medical research, working with only 31 out of 100 girls and women, there are serious risks associated with the regular use of NSAIDs:
- Allergy
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- Ulcers and other gastrointestinal issues
- Increased risk of heart failure
If you want to know more about CBD, you might be interested in:
What is CBD oil, also known as hemp, cannabidiol, or cannabis, and what is it used for?
Laboratory studies.
There is significant evidence supporting the effectiveness of CBD against pain, inflammation, and cramps.
A study on endometriosis (which occurs when small parts of the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium) grow on other pelvic organs, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes) in rats shows that endocannabinoids could regulate the innervation of abnormal disease growths and that exogenous cannabinoid agents may be effective in reducing endometriosis symptoms. Endometriosis is a disorder with severe menstrual cramps as one of its symptoms.
This study offers hope for CBD as a promising new direction in the development of much-needed new treatments for the pain suffered by women with menstrual cramps.
A laboratory study in 2016 investigated the number of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors in women with endometriosis and compared them to those levels in women without endometriosis. The study draws a parallel between intense pain and cramps during menstruation and an imbalance in the endocannabinoid system in the body.
And as we all know, CBD (or cannabis in general) works to restore the balance of the endocannabinoid system. This would explain why so many women claim that CBD gives them a pain-free period.
Clinical studies.
In 2010, scientists from the New Zealand Gynecology and Obstetrics Group, the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group, conducted a clinical trial on the efficacy of NSAIDs in relation to dysmenorrhea. The study, while concluding that NSAIDs are effective, warned about the "significant risk of adverse effects."
Six years later, this 2010 study was reviewed, revealing that only 31 out of 100 girls or women experienced pain relief with NSAIDs. However, they did note that in some cases, adverse effects were reported during the period of these trials alone. Considering this, it can only be assumed that long-term use would be even worse.
So far, we have not found information on clinical trials for the treatment of menstrual spasms and cramps with CBD or cannabis. But there is a ton of clinical evidence that CBD and cannabis are very effective with spasms and cramps related to multiple sclerosis.
A study on fibromyalgia pain in 2014 showed that medical marijuana was much more effective than the three FDA-approved medications.
Anecdotal studies
Dr. Ethan Russo of the University of Washington wrote a study in 2002 in which he mentions that cannabis was used to mitigate pain in difficult births dating back to 2000 B.C.E. He also writes that there is evidence that cannabis was used as medicine for women since ancient Egyptian pharaonic times of 1534 B.C.
Some evidence suggests this may have happened as early as 3000 BC.
Dr. Russo's historical review even points out that in China, as described in an ancient book (1596) by Li-Shih-Chen, cannabis flowers were used for menstrual disorders.
New York State Assembly bill A00582 is ordered for a third reading. If approved, New York will be the first state to add dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) to the list of covered conditions for the legal medical use of marijuana.
