Five reasons to take CBD during the menopause

Increasing numbers of women are reporting that CBD can help relieve some of the symptoms commonly associated with the menopause.

Most women will experience some symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, although the range and severity varies greatly.

Symptoms often start a few months or years before a woman’s periods stop altogether and can persist for some time afterwards – up to 12 years for one in 10 women.

Some such symptoms include hot flushes, headaches, insomnia and joint pain, and the main form of treatment is hormone replacement therapy – which is not without its own issues.

As such, it is not surprising that many women are now looking for a more natural alternative to ease their uncomfortable symptoms – with CBD becoming increasingly popular.  

A study published in 2020 by the North American Menopause Society found that a growing number of women were either already using cannabis or were considering using it to help manage symptoms of the menopause.

Here are just some of the ways it could help…

Insomnia

Many women going through menopause find their sleep is disturbed and here, CBD oil can be a useful tool to help you drift off.

A few drops under the tongue before bed, combined with some deep breathing, can settle the mind and body, ready for a peaceful night.

Research also suggests that CBD can help improve sleep quality; a paper published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that systemic acute administration of CBD appears to increase total sleep time.

Pain relief

Another common symptom of menopause – and ageing in general – is joint stiffness. CBD has long been known for it’s pain-relieving properties, and is a more natural alternative to over-the-counter medication – especially if the pain is chronic.

CBD works as an analgesic through the interaction between it and the body’s endocannabinoid system, which boosts the signalling of anandamide – the body’s natural mood enhancer which also regulates pain.

It can be taken orally or applied topically, making it a valuable resource for people looking to manage pain in a more natural way.

Concentration

Brain fog and forgetfulness often go hand-in-hand with menopause symptoms, but can be difficult to deal with and treat.

While cannabis – which contains high levels of the psychoactive THC – has been associated with impaired cognitive function, studies have found that the use of CBD oil can actually help improve cognition.

Low mood

Unsurprisingly, with troubling symptoms and fluctuating hormones, many women going through the menopause also report low mood.

Happily, CBD can offer some relief; in fact, mental health is one of the most common reasons cited for its use. Research has found that CBD almost certainly has both anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties, believed to be related to its positive effect on serotonin receptors in the brain.

Loss of bone density

As women go through menopause, they may begin to lose bone density leading to osteoporosis, which can increase the risk of fractures. 

A 2008 animal study found that CBD interacts with a cannabinoid receptor that may play a role in bone density loss, signalling that it may be able to reduce the rate of bone density loss. However, this research has not yet been replicated in humans.

Menopause symptoms can have a debilitating effect on women’s lives, and so, for those who do not wish to rely on hormone replacement therapy or a cocktail of prescription medication, CBD could be the natural solution they are looking for.