CBD for women. PMS, PMDD and menstruation - CBD oil for female ailments

Most women have experienced premenstrual symptoms such as cramps, headaches and irritability at least once in their lives. Medical statistics say that up to 90% of Polish women suffer from symptoms characteristic of PMS. The most troublesome occur in women in the age range of 25 - 35 years [1].

In some countries, such as Japan, there is a right to "menstrual leave", when women can take a day off from work in peace to survive painful menstrual cramps, migraines and mood swings. During PMS or menstruation, ladies reach for the simplest over-the-counter painkillers, which, contrary to appearances, have many side effects and can be highly harmful to health.

Do you suffer from bothersome symptoms that accompany PMS, PMDD or menstruation? Are you looking for natural solutions? This time we will unravel the relationship between PMS, PMDD, menstrual pain and CBD. Welcome!

What are PMS and PMDD?

PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome, which is a combination of symptoms that many women experience about 3 to 10 days before menstruation. These complaints usually disappear after the onset of menstrual bleeding and most often include physical symptoms such as fatigue, headache, drowsiness, nausea, swelling, skin problems, cramps in the lower abdomen, pain in the lower back.

Some women experience frustration, anxiety, loss of concentration or emotional fluctuations. It would be difficult to list all the changes that accompany PMS, as there are up to 150 to 200 different types of ailments [2]. PmDD, on the other hand, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is a much more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that can interfere with daily functioning.

PMS and PMDD - why does the body and mind suffer?

Many women suffer from PMS, the cause of which is not entirely clear. However, it is believed that this is due to changes in the levels of female hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, secreted in the luteal phase, following ovulation. Symptoms associated with PMS, PMDD or menstruation may vary depending on age, birth history, the presence of other hormonal disorders, stress, eating habits and even physical fitness, among others. There are big differences depending on many variables. Interestingly, it is women over 30 and around 40 years of age who have a particular tendency to experience peak symptoms of PMS and PMDD [3].

CBD for PMS and PMDD symptoms

CBD can give a glimmer of hope to those suffering from severe PMS and PMDD. CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is one of more than 100 types of different cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant. Although this cannabinoid acts on receptors in the human body, it is important to know that the body also has its own neurotransmitters that act similarly to cannabinoids and we call them endocannabinoids.

The endocannabinoid system, which includes the brain, organs and immune cells, is said to be the most important system that maintains a person's physiological balance. When this balance is lost, various diseases can occur. On the other hand, it is assumed that there is a possibility of treating many disease entities with a well-used endocannabinoid system and hemp cannabinoids.

Of course, research on CBD is still ongoing, but it is already known that it alleviates some of the symptoms of PMS. Below are some of the most relevant examples of symptoms that can be treated with CBD oil.

1. Depression and anxiety

Loss of interest, depression, lack of self-affirmation and loss of self-esteem are just some of the problems experienced by people suffering from PMS and PMDD. Depression is said to occur when the balance of serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that carries signals between nerve cells throughout the body, is disturbed. Reducing progesterone, in turn, reduces the amount of serotonin secreted, and still the level of this hormone drops significantly just before menstruation.

CBD oil acts on serotonin receptors and has antidepressant-like effects [4]. What's more, CBD oil is also useful in controlling anxiety and anxiety.

2. Irritability

According to a survey conducted by a well-known pharmaceutical company, more than half of women experiencing PMS struggle with feelings of frustration and irritability, which are the main symptoms of PMS and PMDD. During this time, ladies can get angry at trivial things, it is extremely easy to go from joy to crying and experience anger mixed with deep sadness.

Because it's something that just can't be controlled, women feel even worse. CBD is believed to relieve mood swings [5] by providing a calm state of mind.

3. Insomnia

CBD is also recommended for people who experience insomnia during PMS and menstruation [6]. If you have trouble sleeping at night, try taking 2 drops of CBD oil under your tongue before going to bed.

4. Nausea vomiting

CBD is also known to suppress nausea. There is scientific evidence that indicates that CBD oil may be clinically effective in treating both nausea and vomiting caused not only by hormonal changes, but also by the result of chemotherapy or the use of other pharmacological agents. The American Cancer Society also mentioned that cannabinoids are helpful even when pharmacological agents don't work. Behind CBD's antiemetic and nausea-reducing effects is its ability to modulate serotonin receptors [7].

5. Acne and other skin problems

Before menstruation, the amount of progesterone secreted first increases sharply, which of course then decreases just as quickly. However, progesterone can activate the secretion of excessive amounts of sebum clogging pores, thereby causing acne and skin irritation.

So, CBD:

● regulates the secretion of sebum, thanks to the effect on sebocytes, i.e. cells of the sebaceous gland [8],

● it also has anti-inflammatory properties, limiting the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms [9].

6. Loss of concentration

Some other symptoms of PMS include a lack of motivation and difficulty concentrating. Common causes of lack of concentration are also associated with stress and sleep deprivation. A recent 2021 study clearly shows [10] that cannabidiol reduces stress, as 38% of respondents reported using it to reduce stress levels. Interestingly, as many as 92% of CBD users reported positive effects in the form of reduced stress, which promotes better mental performance.

7. Pain

PMS, PMDD and menstruation can be causes that cause headaches, muscle ailments or painful cramps in the lower abdomen. CBD has scientifically proven efficacy in the treatment of neuropathic pain [11] and inflammatory pain [12]. Additionally, it is believed to relieve all sorts of pains, including migraines.

CBD oil for PMS and menstrual cramps?

CBD may be effective in treating some of the symptoms of PMS and PMDD, but is it also effective in treating severe menstrual pain? During menstruation, the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) exfoliates and is excreted from the body along with menstrual blood.

During this time, a compound called prostaglandin, which constricts the uterus, is secreted in large quantities and plays an important role in exfoliating the endometrium. Cramps caused by the action of prostaglandin are one of the causes of bothersome menstrual pain. Interestingly, CBD can inhibit the production of prostaglandins and thus relieve the pain associated with menstruation [13].

Bibliography:

[1] Treatment of premenstrual syndrome | Forum of Gynecology https://www.forumginekologii.pl/

[2] Premenstrual Syndrome | Clinical Key https://www.clinicalkey.com/

[3] Pizzorno J.E., T. Murray M.T., Joiner-Bey H., The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine, Elsevier Health Sciences 2015

[4] Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol: a chemical compound of Cannabis sativa | PubMed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[5] Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Molecular Targets and Epigenetic Insights from Preclinical Research | PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[6] Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature | PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[7] Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids | PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[8] Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes | PubMed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[9] Cannabis sativa: The Plant of the Thousand and One Molecules | PubMed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[10] Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self- perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems | Journal of Cannabis Research https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/

[11] Selective Cannabinoids for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis | PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[12] A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain | NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[13] Cannabidiolic acid as a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory component in cannabis | PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/