Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabis for Women’s Health

The benefits of cannabis for women’s health are growing. Historically, women have felt more insecure to embrace cannabis due to the lingering stigma around its use. However, there’s a list of legitimate medical reasons why they might want to include this powerful plant in their healthcare routine.  

Several studies support the health benefits of cannabis for women’s health. Cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant can boost the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in your body. This can have numerous benefits for your health.

The female reproductive system has the second highest concentration of endocannabinoid receptors in the human body, second only to the human brain. This makes women especially responsive to the therapeutic properties of cannabis.

History of Cannabis Use by Women

There’s a long history of the use of cannabis by women for various gynaecological health issues. The earliest references can be found in ancient Mesopotamian history when women would mix cannabis with mint leaves and saffron to form Azallu – a botanical agent used in the treatment of menstrual pain.

The use of cannabis for menstrual cramps, bloating, abnormal bleeding, and even urinary tract infections can be traced from ancient Chinese, Syrian, Persian, and Israeli texts.  

Women in ancient Europe used cannabis to relieve labour contractions by administering a honey and cannabis blend into their vaginas.

Doctors from the Victorian era such as Fleetwood Churchill, in 1949, promoted cannabis tinctures as a way to help relieve the discomfort of menstrual cramps, excessive bleeding, and other PMS symptoms. According to evidence, Queen Victoria was also a regular user of a cannabis-based tincture to alleviate menstrual pain.  

The Benefits of Cannabis for Women’s Health

Cannabis for Menstrual Symptoms

About 80% of women suffer from period pain, medically referred to as dysmenorrhoea.  In 5-10% of women, the pain is so severe that it can disrupt their normal life. And it doesn’t just end there. For most women, period pain is associated with a whole other set of symptoms including bloating, swollen stomach, back pain, nausea, diarrhoea, tender breasts, mood swings, tiredness, and more.

There’s a lot of evidence available on the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis. This makes it a useful therapy for relieving the pain related to the inflammation of the uterus.

The cannabinoids found in the plant interact with the endocannabinoid system. Researchers have found that there are plenty of cannabinoid receptors located on many uterine cells. This suggests that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in the management of dysmenorrhoea-related pain.

Cannabis is also effective in suppressing nausea and vomiting. Both of these symptoms are commonly experienced by menstruating women.

Therefore, an increasing number of women are turning to cannabis to address painful menstruation, and other menstrual symptoms as these can be debilitating and hinder their daily lives.

Image Text: Cannabis for endometriosis

Alt Text: Woman’s uterus inflicted with a painful condition called endometriosis

Image Description: Cannabis can be possible treatment for endometriosis

Cannabis for Endometriosis

Clinical trials are underway to find out the effectiveness of cannabis as a possible treatment for endometriosis. Endometriosis is a painful condition whereby uterine tissue starts growing outside of the uterus.  It affects more than 180 million women worldwide, negatively impacting their quality of life.

Some studies that aimed to examine the benefits of cannabis for women’s health have already revealed that it can be useful in lowering the disabling pain associated with endometriosis. This is again linked with its pain killing action.

Cannabis for PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a health issue that affects every 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It involves hormonal imbalance and metabolic irregularities, which elevate the levels of androgens. High androgen levels affect the ovaries and cause problems in them such as irregular periods, development of fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries (called cysts) and fertility issues.

Currently, there’s no known cure for PCOS. However, research suggests that there’s an association of the endocannabinoid system in the development of PCOS. There’s also some evidence that links the endocannabinoid system to high insulin levels in PCOS. This could mean that cannabis-derived cannabinoids may be useful in the prevention and treatment of PCOS.

Cannabis is also useful in managing the symptoms associated with PCOS such as abdominal pains, depression, and mood swings.

Cannabis for Menopause

Going through menopause is a difficult experience for many women. With it comes a plethora of problems such as pain, fatigue, osteoporosis, arthritis, insomnia, mood swings, hot flashes, depression and more.

Cannabis can help women who are suffering from insomnia associated with menopause. There’s strong evidence available that establishes the effectiveness of cannabis in improving both the quality and duration of sleep.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is a cannabis-derived cannabinoid that has shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, and it also promotes quality sleep. Moreover, it has a cooling effect on the body that can be useful for managing hot flashes.

A well functioning endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps in suppressing mood swings and reduces the risk of depression or anxiety. Furthermore, ECS supports better bone regulation. This can reduce the risk of osteoporosis, which is very common in postmenopausal women.  

Cannabis for Sexual Wellness

Cannabis can also give a boost to women’s sexual health. A recent study suggests that the use of cannabis prior to sex increased the sex drive in 60% of women and also resulted in more than half of them experiencing satisfying orgasms.  

With high concentrations of cannabinoids in their system, women also experience heightened arousal and sexual behaviour.

These were some of the ways that cannabis can play a role in improving women’s health and wellbeing. However, it’s also important to remember that medical cannabis should be taken only after consultation with a doctor.

The best way to fully reap the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for women’s health is to consult a skilled health professional who’s an expert on medical cannabis. In this way, you reduce the risk of experiencing side effects and will also follow proper dosage guidelines.

If you’re on the lookout for a medical cannabis pharmacy, head straight to Budget Greens. We have the best quality cannabis strains available at highly reasonable prices. Visit us and treat your health issues the natural way.