How to Use CBD for Period Pain
The cannabis plant produces cannabinoids that provide effects by interacting with the body. Two of the most researched cannabinoids are Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol. CBD is known to provide potential benefits and therapeutic effects without causing the high, whereas THC is the main active ingredient of marijuana more well-known for its psychoactive effects.
CBD products have become so popular these days due to the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of cannabis. CBD is also known to treat chronic pain and other types of pain, including severe period pain and cramps. Here’s more information about using CBD for period pain.
What causes menstrual pain?
Painful menstruation or dysmenorrhea is common in women. A hormone called prostaglandin triggers muscle contractions that expel the lining of the uterus. These contractions cause inflammation and pain in women. Sometimes, a warm bath or using a heating pad can help relieve the pain but they don’t always work.
It’s not always possible to identify the causes of menstrual pain. Some people just have a higher risk of having painful periods and these risks include family history, smoking, heavy bleeding, or irregular period, among other things.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the tissue lining in the uterus, or the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus. This disorder commonly involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining your pelvis. In some cases, the tissue may also be found beyond the area where the pelvic organs are located. Common symptoms of endometriosis include bladder pain and pelvic pain.
The exact cause of endometriosis is not yet certain. However, some doctors think that it is caused by retrograde menstruation. This is when the menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity, where the cells stick to the organs, where they grow, thicken, and bleed during the menstrual cycle.
Common treatments for women with endometriosis include hormone therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, or acupuncture.
How can CBD help menstrual cramps?
Research on CBD has proved that it has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. CBD, unlike THC, does not bind to the CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor found in the endocannabinoid system which explains its lack of psychotropic effects. Currently, there is no research on the effects of CBD specifically on menstrual pain, but there is evidence that suggests it can help with pain-related cramps during your period, including headaches. Below are some studies that support these claims.
In 2016, an animal study was conducted wherein rats with pain-related behaviours such as arthritis were given CBD. The study concluded that the application of CBD gel reduced the animal models’ joint inflammation and pain-related symptoms with no adverse effects.
A 2019 study was conducted on Australian women with endometriosis and found that cannabis or CBD oil is effective at relieving pain compared to physical activities like stretching and yoga. However, the study did not evaluate which of the two, cannabis and CBD oil, was more effective than the other.
Can CBD help endometriosis?
Yes. CBD without the presence of THC can help treat endometriosis symptoms. CBD is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect and analgesic properties which are important for reducing the pain that comes along with the disorder. Additionally, CBD won’t cause any adverse effects like THC that you can get from using marijuana.
THC also has the same properties as CBD as well as antispasmodic and antiemetic properties. Some studies suggest that using CBD with THC is more effective for endometriosis symptoms than using CBD alone.
Products that contain both CBD and THC are classified as full-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD is a CBD type that includes all components of the cannabis plant, as well as the legal amount of THC which is 0.3%.
How to use CBD for Period Pain
Many women who experience painful cramps have said that they benefited from CBD for pain relief. Here are some methods you can use CBD for period pain.
Menstrual cramps
Using CBD oils and tinctures, CBD topical products (creams and balms) and CBD edibles products (gummies and capsules) can be used to help with menstrual cramps.
CBD oil can be used sublingually by placing a few drops of the oil under the tongue. If you don’t like the bitter taste of hemp, you can try CBD edibles like CBD capsules and gummies. However, the effects would take a bit longer to be felt as they need to pass through the digestive tract before reaching the bloodstream. Another way is by using CBD topicals like CBD balms and creams. Just apply the CBD product directly to the affected area then feel relief in just a few minutes.
Endometriosis
Other than medical treatment as well as hormonal treatment, using CBD sublingually, topically, and by ingestion, can also help with endometriosis.
To use sublingually, place a few drops of the CBD oil product under the tongue and wait for a few seconds before swallowing to get the maximum effect. To use topically, apply the product directly to the affected area. If you prefer ingestion, you can try CBD edibles to mask the bitter taste of hemp. Make sure to start with the lowest possible dose and gradually increase depending on your desired effects. However, it would take longer for you to feel the effects.
CBD Shopy Products for Period Pain
According to Dr Amy Gajjat from the Wholistic Medical Centre in Australia, the best way to start taking cannabis is by using CBD oils which are usually taken orally.
CBD Shopy offers very good and high-quality CBD oil products. Below are some of our products that can help you start your CBD journey.
All these CBD oil products are made with organically grown hemp and third-party lab tested to ensure that they meet the standards of the company. If you want to check our other CBD products, click here.
