CBD, endometriosis, and painful periods

Before understanding theimpact of cannabidiol (CBD) on endometriosis and menstrual pain, some definitions are necessary:

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic , usually recurring disease that affects 6 to 10% of the female population . The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. When this lining grows elsewhere by migrating abnormally to the fallopian tubes, cervix, ligaments, ovaries, peritoneum, or even to non-genital organs such as the bladder and colon, it is referred to as endometriosis.

 

Despite the fact that the endometrium develops elsewhere than in the uterus, which is its normal place, it will follow the hormonal logic of the 28-day cycle and will break down, causing bleeding.

The causes of endometriosis

The causes of endometriosis can be multiple. Thus, a history of gynecological surgery, early and painful periods with short cycles or in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol [1] are all plausible explanations.

 

Symptoms include heavy periods around the third day of the cycle and constant pain. Several medical examinations, including ultrasound, MRI, or other radiological techniques, can diagnose this condition.

 

Although it generally disappears at menopause [2], medical treatments are often sufficient to regulate the disease, but endometriosis retains a psychological impact due to the pain. Alternative medicine and a healthy lifestyle can provide relief for patients. In this context, we will see below that theusaof CBD oil can help relieve pain and the adverse effects of the disease.

 

 

Painful periods / menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea:

Menstrual pain affects 50 to 80% of women of reproductive age. Among them, 5 to 15% of women have to change their daily routine during the 2 or 3 days of intense pain. In general, this period is particularly painful during adolescence and just before menopause due to greater hormonal fluctuations [3].

 

These pains are explained by uterine contractions linked to the cessation of estrogen and progesterone production after ovulation and in the absence of fertilization. Indeed, the endometrium produces too much prostaglandin responsible for these painful uterine contractions [4] and sometimes affecting other organs, explaining nausea, diarrhea or headaches [5].

 

Cases of primary dysmenorrhea are also often linked to inflammation whose causes are not yet well known, due to a lack of medical research in the field [6].

 

Similarly, traditional treatments such as taking the contraceptive pill or ibuprofen do not work in all cases.

 

 

The benefits of taking CBD for patients:

Dr. John Thiel, provincial head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Saskatchewan in Regina, Canada, suggests the existence of cannabinoid receptors in the female reproductive system. CBD, by directly interacting with these receptors, which in turn reduce pelvic pain, may play a positive role in pain management [7]. One scientific study conducted on 134 patients with chronic pelvic pain who took CBD concluded that it had a positive effect in 60% of cases.

 

In the specific case of endometriosis, when the endometrium outside the uterus causes bleeding, this bleeding releases inflammatory mediators responsible for pain and syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia. Thus, CBD, with its potential anti-inflammatory properties, could act where traditional treatments are ineffective [8].

 

Furthermore, studies have reportedly shown that CBD acts directly on the nervous and inflammatory systems, resulting in pain relief. In this regard, the Foria laboratory has created CBD-based vaginal suppositories to alleviate pain, and the Swiss association S-Endo recommends taking CBD when traditional drug treatments are ineffective.

 

However, as a precautionary measure, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) does not recommend theusaof CBD for pregnant women.

 

One of the most effective ways to take CBD is in oil form.