Menstrual pain? That's over now!

Cannabidiol can have many positive effects on the body. Among other things, it can be an important helper for menstrual pain. Even though PMS and the associated complaints are very versatile, CBD is almost predestined for it. Because the active ingredient from the hemp plant can alleviate and combat several complaints at once, as has been proven in numerous studies. But how exactly can CBD help with menstrual pain and how should it be used?

What exactly is premenstrual syndrome?

Premenstrual syndrome, also called PMS for short, includes the days before the start of the period when many women experience discomfort. But it is not only PMS that troubles women, but also the discomfort during the period. While some women hardly or rarely have problems with PMS, others suffer a lot. This also leads, among other things, to women being granted menstrual leave in some countries, including South Korea, Indonesia and Spain.
Premenstrual syndrome can cause various complaints. These affect not only the body but also the psyche. The physical symptoms include, for example:

• Loss of appetite
• Cravings
• Headaches and migraines
• Circulatory problems
• Tension in the breasts
• Nausea
• Lower abdominal pain
• Water retention

Psychological symptoms include:

• Aggression
• Anxiety
• Listlessness
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Decreased self-esteem

Scientists have found out that PMS is a multifactorial disorder in which several causes can be responsible for its development. Magnesium and calcium deficiency as well as serotonin deficiency can be the cause of PMS. But a genetic predisposition can also be the trigger for menstrual cramps. 

What therapy can be used for PMS and menstrual cramps? 

There are various treatment methods that can be used for PMS and menstrual cramps. The focus is not only on conventional medical treatment. Traditional European medicine as well as micronutrient medicine can also be consulted. While orthodox medicine mainly focuses on 

• Antidepressants
• Draining agents
• Luteal hormones and progestogens
• Ovulation inhibitors

micronutrient medicine offers various plants that can alleviate the symptoms. For example:

• Lady's mantle
• St. John's wort
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Monk's pepper
• vitamin B6

are used. However, gynaecologists are increasingly recommending CBD. Even though this is not yet very widespread, there are now many gynaecologists who have studied the active ingredient cannabidiol and have recognised the advantages of treatment with cannabidiol.

How can cannabidiol help with menstrual cramps? 

Studies have shown that cannabidiol has analgesic [1, 2], anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. This means that CBD drops or CBD capsules can help relieve menstrual cramps. At the same time, the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome can also be alleviated. In addition, the active ingredient from the hemp plant also shows neuroprotective properties, which is why CBD can have a positive effect on mood swings.

The calming and relaxing properties of CBD are also important to cushion the ups and downs of mood. Thus, those affected are clearly more relaxed and their well-being can be improved. Because it is precisely the serotonin level, which drops before and during the period, that can make mood lows sometimes unbearable. It is not uncommon for women to fall into a depressive mood. But CBD can help here, as cannabidiol has an anxiety-relieving effect [3] and effectively combats depression and anxiety. [4]

Relieve abdominal pain and cramps with CBD

CBD oil is known primarily for its pain-relieving effect. But the antispasmodic effect is also extremely helpful for menstrual cramps. By taking CBD oil, not only migraines and headaches can be reduced, but also abdominal cramps associated with menstruation. 

Abdominal pain can also be reduced by applying CBD muscle balm.

Sleep better with cannabidiol

Those who are in pain often cannot sleep well. At the same time, mood swings, anxiety and depressive moods contribute to sleep disturbances during the period. In order for the body to recover during the night, CBD is an important helper. [4] 

Skin blemishes before and during ovulation or menstruation

Blemishes are a problem that many women suffer from. During ovulation and menstruation, the pimples sprout and those affected feel uncomfortable. However, the active ingredient of the hemp plant can also be a true miracle cure here. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD not only helps to alleviate internal inflammation but also to reduce the formation of pimples. [5] CBD oil should not only be used internally, but also externally. It regulates the sebum balance, supplies the skin with important nutrients and thus ensures that the skin is rosy and supple.

Use of CBD oil for menstrual pain and discomfort

Most women use CBD oil to relieve discomfort during menstruation. This is mainly because CBD oil works very quickly on menstrual cramps. The oil is dripped under the tongue with the pipette and should remain there for about 1 minute. This way, the active ingredient can be absorbed directly through the oral mucosa and take effect within 30 minutes.

If you take the drops directly before a meal, you can increase the effect even more, as CBD oil is fat-soluble and can be better absorbed by the body through food.

Dosage of CBD oil for menstrual cramps

The dosage is not always easy, as everyone reacts individually to CBD. As a rule, however, it should be sufficient to take two to three drops two to three times a day. In the case of particularly severe symptoms, the dosage can also be higher. In this case, however, you should follow the dosage recommendation of the product.

It is very good to start taking the drops shortly before the second half of the cycle. At the beginning, the dosage of CBD oil for menstrual cramps should be low so that the body can slowly get used to the CBD oil. 

Sources:

[1] Liang AL, Gingher EL, Coleman JS. Medical Cannabis for Gynecologic Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review. Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Feb 1;139(2):287-296. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004656. PMID: 35104069.

[2] Russo EB. Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008 Feb;4(1):245-59. doi: 10.2147/tcrm.s1928. PMID: 18728714; PMCID: PMC2503660.

[3] Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, Marmar CR. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2015 Oct;12(4):825-36. doi: 10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1. PMID: 26341731; PMCID: PMC4604171.

[4] Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi: 10.7812/TPP/18-041. PMID: 30624194; PMCID: PMC6326553.

[5] Palmieri B, Laurino C, Vadalà M. A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars. Clin Ter. 2019 Mar-Apr;170(2):e93-e99. doi: 10.7417/CT.2019.2116. PMID: 30993303.