Did you know that according to the NIH around 84.1% of women suffer from menstrual pain, and 43.1% of these women deal with it during every single period!
Therefore, finding sustainable and safe products to ease menstrual cramps becomes necessary.
After all, you don't want to pop pain pills every time and get hit with nasty side effects like addiction when common remedies like hot water bottle or diet/exercise no longer work for you.
Here's where CBD can help!
We have previously written about how people have used CBD for dealing with post-surgery pain, and dental pain.
In this article we shall discuss how CBD can be helpful for if you are suffering from menstrual cramps.
We will also look at the latest research and give you a checklist of things to consider when you are looking for a CBD product.
Table of Contents
How Does CBD Work In Healing Menstrual Cramps?
Women face a lot of pain, stress, and anxiety caused by hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle.
This short video from the Institute of Human Anatomy explains the science behind menstrual cramps.
CBD, either topically like oil or consumed through edibles, reacts with neuroreceptors in your brain and helps it send signals to:
- alleviate your mood,
- regulate your immune system, and
- provide body pain relief through its anti-inflammatory properties.
When using a topical CBD product, massage it directly on the area where you feel cramps. If there is no change, you can apply some more after some hours.
If using a consumable form of CBD, you will have to follow the dosage guidelines given on the product.
Since it can cause side effects and is also a product derived from cannabis, it is essential to take a low dose before increasing the amount.
Again, always consult a doctor before using consumable CBDs.
Benefits of Using CBD For Menstrual Cramps
To date, research is fairly limited on CBD's impact on period cramps. According to a report published in the Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine
CBD’s pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties could contribute to treating specific menstrual discomforts such as low back pain and lower abdominal cramps...
there were no studies found specific to menstrual cramps; however, there are adequate studies to support acute and chronic pain relief ...
the findings of this review conclude that CBD is a viable option for managing menstrual symptoms
So if you are suffering from period cramps and use CBD, you can experience benefits like:
- Instant pain relief
- Upliftment in mood
- Reduction in inflammation
- Reduction in chronic pain
- Relaxation
- Reduction in bloating
With menstruation you can also experience a lot of problems like lower back pain, headaches, sore breasts, and anxiety.
CBD can potentially provide relief from all of them.
Do keep in mind that there are no guarantees with CBD, and different people will experience different outcomes.
Risks of Using CBD for Menstrual Cramps
Despite being a natural chemical, CBD can does have some side effects like
- Dry Mouth
- Diarrhea
- Appetite changes (usually loss of appetite)
- Weight changes
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
Since hormones that regulate one’s menstrual cycle are connected to the human gut, most changes caused are problems related to that region.
How to Choose The Right CBD Product For Menstrual Cramps?
Cannabidiol comes in various forms of products - oils, creams, edibles, capsules - you name it. Keep these factors in mind when selecting the correct CBD product.
1. Type Of Product
While all CBD products bring you relief, the edible ones are much better for period pain relief. As someone having cramps and other menstruation symptoms, you would want full-body relief, which is best provided by something you consume.
Oils and creams can get you relief, but they are not as quick and effective as edibles as they concentrate on the certain patch where they are applied. They would be great if you want relief from physical pain like backaches, migraines, or joint pains.
2. Quality
Quality is an important factor when selecting your CBD product. Experts say that a certain amount of THC mixed in the CBD product works great as they produce the entourage effect.
As per the FDA, the healthy amount of THC in a CBD product is 0.3% or less.
When picking CBD products, focus on products that have pain-relieving properties.
Another way of picking a good CBD product is by ensuring it has hemp (organic) present in the ingredients.
When using a topical product, CBD products with Arnica are also suitable for menstrual cramps as they have warming properties that can help soothe abdominal discomfort.
3. License
The cannabis product you select should also be appropriately licensed.
It should qualify and hold a Drug Establishment License (DEL). Also, note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD products.
So if a product claims to be certified by them: stay away.
4. Testing
The last thing to check for are tests.
Look for a brand that gives evidence of testing - specifically one that supplies third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab.
For instance, at Imaginal we provide lab results for each batch on our website.
How To Use CBD For Menstrual Cramps
Since there are numerous CBD products, here is a brief guide to show how to use a particular type.
1. CBD Oil
Can be added to your drink or applied topically to get instant pain relief. Drops of oil can be added to any beverage or massaged on the area which is cramping.
2. CBD Bath Soaks
CBD baths can be great to improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation, which causes period pain. Bath soaks are used similarly to bath bombs.
3. CBD Capsules
They are the easiest way to consume CBD. You need to take it like any other medical capsule for instant relief. Take it with water or consume it directly.
4. CBD Cream
CBD creams can be applied topically to the area of pain, just like CBD oil. Going for products with Arnica, which has warming properties, is a good option.
5. CBD Gummies
CBD gummies can be taken like candy. Be careful to check for its THC levels and stick to the dosage mentioned on the packet.
6. CBD Tampons
As odd as it may sound, CBD tampons work the best for pain relief as it directly goes into the vulva, which has high cannabinoid receptors. Insert it directly like a regular tampon, and it should get the job done.
7. CBD Chocolates
Like gummies, CBD chocolates need to be taken after checking THC levels and with the correct dosage.
8. CBD Patches
CBD-infused patches target the area where your cramp forms and regulates hormones. Simply place the patch on your lower abdomen where it pains, and most CBD patches allow you to wear it for 10-12 hours.
What Is The Dosage Of CBD You Need To Take For Menstrual Cramps?
Our customers have experienced pain-relief benefits from our gummies like the full spectrum Elderberry Gummies, each of which contains 50mg of CBD and has 0.3% THC.
We recommend taking two gummies per day.
However, CBD is safe to use, and even a very high dosage like 1500mg is handled well by the human body. We do not recommend you to to test your limits, though, as it can cause nausea and other side effects.
Summing Up
CBD is great for pain relief and reducing inflammation, which are symptoms often associated with menstrual cramps.
Full spectrum CBD products with THC within allowable limits are actually better at combating pain because "THC has twenty times the potency of aspirin and twice that of hydrocortisone”.
Besides, according to a review funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine
products with a higher THC-to-CBD ratio may be more potent than products with a higher CBD-to-THC ratio.
That said, there are still no conclusive studies linking CBD to menstrual pain relief, and CBD is not a magic wand that will take your period cramps away
Every person will react to CBD differently, and you (and your doctor) should monitor your reaction as you use CBD products.
(This blog post has been written by Saniya Baxi)
