Menopause is a normal condition of life in a woman when the reproductive function of a woman stops. Around the time of menopause, many women experience several physical and emotional changes. For many women, these changes may be challenging. As the body readjusts to this transition in hormone levels, hot flashes, mood swings, sleeping disturbances, and vaginal dryness can occur.
Luckily, some other symptomatic treatments of recent times are in the limelight-for example, cannabis. This blog discusses ways through which cannabis could help in the management of symptoms associated with menopause and how it interacts internally in the organism for relief.
Brief Overview of Menopause
Menopause is the normal biological process in which menstruation and fertility end, usually between 45 and 55. It reduces the secretion of various hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, and can cause physical and emotional changes to varying degrees. While some of these symptoms may be similar among most of the female population, the degree and period may differ from woman to woman.
Perimenopause is the period before menopause when most women start developing symptoms. Menopause is diagnosed after a woman has gone a full 12 consecutive months without a period, indicating that her ovaries have stopped releasing eggs.
Common Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause can lead to various types of symptoms and emotional women. The following are some of the most common symptoms of menopause:
- Hot Flashes: A sudden sensation of heat, often accompanied by sweating and redness in the face.
- Night Sweats: Hot flashes at night disrupt rest.
- Sleep Disturbances: This is characterized by poor sleep and an inability to fall or stay asleep.
- Mood Swings: Increased irritability, sadness, or feelings of anxiety. Vaginal Dryness: A decrease in natural lubrication, which may cause discomfort during sex.
- Joint and Muscle Pain: Aches and stiffness, often exacerbated by hormonal changes.
- Memory and Concentration Problems: Inability to focus or feeling “foggy.”
These symptoms, indeed, are considered normal in a woman’s transition into menopause. Still, these symptoms can be debilitating for many and adversely affect their quality of life. This is where cannabis may provide some relief.
How Cannabis Affects the Endocannabinoid System
The ECS is a crucial body system for maintaining various physiological processes, including mood, pain, sleep, and hormone production. It consists of receptors throughout the body that interact with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, which are found in cannabis.
Because it controls the balance or homeostasis in the body, the ECS might associate cannabis with menopause symptoms. Due to menopause, these levels of changing hormones make the ECS unable to work as consistently and regulate some of these features. This could be one point where the cannabinoids within the cannabis plant can intercede and act on behalf of the body.
THC will act on cannabinoid receptors in the brain, thus influencing mood and pain.
While it does not get a person high, CBD is anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and pain relieving-thus its popular application in menopause symptom treatment.
Whereas research is still in course, various women have thus far received mitigation of symptoms of menopause with cannabis use through its possible capability of acting on the ECS to favor homeostasis.
The Relationship between Hormonal Changes and Symptoms of Menopause
The decrease in estrogen and progesterone during menopause may lead to a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. These shifting hormones will also affect the ECS, which maintains a balance over many functions in the human body.
As an example, the decline in estrogen levels is considered to contribute to symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. The hormonal changes also have the power to affect neurotransmitters of the brain, leading to anxiety, depression, and disturbances in sleep.
It might do so by supporting the ECS in balancing such fluctuations. For example, CBD has calming effects that may be helpful in anxiety. At the same time, THC might reduce hot flashes through their action on the body’s receptors. The understanding of the relationship between hormonal changes and ECS will go a long way in understanding how cannabis brings relief to most symptoms of menopause.
Can Cannabis Help with Hot Flashes?
The hot flash is one of the most prevalent and embarrassing symptoms of menopause. It is characterized by a sudden, intense heat, often accompanied by sweating, redness, and a racing heartbeat. Though the exact cause of hot flashes is not well known, they are believed to result from hormonal imbalances due to fluctuating estrogen levels.
THC can also alleviate the symptoms of cannabis and menopause, such as hot flashes. This is somewhat justified because studies have shown that THC helps regulate body temperature and reduces the intensity of the flashes. THC exerts its action by stimulating the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, thus affecting thermoregulation in the hypothalamus, the brain responsible for regulating temperature.
For many women, cannabis can be a natural alternative to conventional treatments like HRT and can help alleviate hot flashes.
How Cannabis Can Help with Mood Swings and Anxiety
Mood swings and anxiety are common emotional symptoms during menopause, possibly due to the fluctuating levels of hormones. Estrogen is considered one of the most essential elements in maintaining mood. At the same time, its fall commonly results in irritability, sadness, or heightened anxiety in many women.
That means, throughout the process, cannabis will more precisely have its role to play in mood swings and anxiety commonly related to menopause. Indeed, CBD has already shown anxiolytic action, inducing relaxation and tranquillity. Apart from that, CBD might cause the release of THC, triggering the release of dopamine, believed to be a “feel-good” molecule, which would lead to improved mood and reduced anxiety.
Cannabis used to manage mood swings and anxiety during menopause is natural and non-addictive compared to other prescription medications that can have side effects.
The Potential of Cannabis for Sleep Disturbances during Menopause
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and night sweats, are common during menopause. The hormonal changes, especially the drop in estrogen, can disrupt sleep patterns and make one experience difficulty falling asleep or sleeping through the night.
Both THC and CBD can help cannabis support menopausal symptoms, including disrupted sleep. Of course, the inherent sedative effects of THC will help a woman initiate and maintain sleep. On one hand, CBD facilitates relaxation and may reduce anxiety, thus allowing an environment conducive to good sleep.
Adding cannabis to one’s bedtime routine can alleviate sleeping problems often associated with menopause for many women.
Cannabis and Vaginal Dryness: What You Need to Know
Vaginal dryness is yet another symptom of menopause, brought about by the lack of estrogen that gives moisture and elasticity to the walls of the vagina. The result is painful sexual intercourse and a predisposition to infections.
Although some women do report symptom relief using cannabis-based topicals and oils, limited research examines the use of cannabis for symptoms such as vaginal dryness. The anti-inflammatory actions of CBD can be pretty helpful in soothing the vaginal tissue, while THC is effective in pain alleviation for the discomfort developed by women. Besides, the relaxing effect of cannabis will contribute to a decrease in stress or anxiety that usually accompanies symptoms such as vaginal dryness and may improve sexual well-being at menopause.
Using Cannabis for Pain Relief During Menopause
Pain, including joint and muscle aches, is another common symptom of menopause, often exacerbated by hormonal changes. Women may experience inflammation and discomfort in their joints and muscles as estrogen levels drop.
Most significantly, cannabis, particularly CBD, contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that are useful in managing pain associated with menopause. This compound acts upon the receptors in the body responsible for regulating pain and inflammation, relieving women in distress during this phase of life.
Whether in oils, creams, or edibles, cannabis provides a natural, non-pharmaceutical method of managing menopausal pain and inflammation.
Cannabis for Reduction of Menopausal Migraines and Headaches: Most women during menopause have migraines or headaches, which are often caused by hormonal fluctuations. These headaches can be debilitating, thus affecting daily activities and the quality of life.
Cannabis, primarily through CBD and THC, can help dull the severity of such migraines and headaches. CBD reduces inflammation, which can be a prevalent cause of headaches. At the same time, THC can alleviate pain and relax tight muscles around your head and neck.
For women whose migraines are directly related to menopause, using cannabis as part of a pain management treatment plan can be incredibly relieving for them.
Which Cannabis Strains Relieve Symptoms of Menopause
Not all cannabis strains are the same, and selecting the appropriate strain can significantly impact its ability to manage menopausal symptoms. Indica strains are known to be very relaxing and sometimes sedative; therefore, they would be invaluable for women plagued by insomnia or anxiety. Sativa strains are uplifting and energizing and may be best for mood swings or fatigue.
Hybrid varieties balance these two and can also be tailored to individual needs. Of course, which to use will depend on the actual symptoms of menopause one is trying to alleviate.
Forms of Cannabis to Consider for Menopause Relief
There are numerous forms of cannabis available, all of them with different advantages concerning the management of the symptoms of menopause. The common forms of cannabis include:
Edibles provide longer-lasting relief and are suitable for chronic symptoms like anxiety or pain. Vapes offer fast action and are suitable for acute symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. Tinctures have very accurate dosing and are easily fit into a daily routine. Topicals are great for vaginal dryness or specific pain points. In this way, by trying the different forms of cannabis, women can find what works best for them in managing symptoms associated with menopause.
Precautions and Considerations of Cannabis Use for Menopause
While cannabis efficiently ameliorates the symptoms of menopause, its use has to be embraced with responsibility. Women must consult their physician before using cannabis, specifically if they take any medication or have pre-existing comorbid conditions.
It’s also essential to start with a low dose and gradually increase it to find the right balance. In addition, it is vital to understand the legal status of cannabis in your area before considering its use.
How to Incorporate Cannabis into Your Menopause Wellness Routine
Cannabis can be holistic as you look to implement it into your menopause wellness routine. Start by pinpointing exactly which symptoms you’re trying to target, then select a cannabis product or strain targeting those symptoms.
Take cannabis regularly in a way that works for your life, whether it be each night as a tincture to sleep or in edible form to stabilize moods. The best routine for you will be tracking symptoms and adjusting dosing accordingly.
Cannabis can help relieve and give a much-needed natural remedy to women in the pain of going through menopause. Whatever the reason for pain, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, or emotional well-being, associated effects and symptoms of menopause can be better manageable through responsible cannabis use.