CBD and the Menopause
I am so menopausal! It is one crazy time in my life. CBD was a happy discovery. When I started this project I decided to up my CBD dose to 18% to help with my levels of anxiety and stress that I accepted would be part of the following 3 months, until things settled down. Whilst it did that job admirably, I discovered my menopausal symptoms reduced drastically and then disappeared. ​
I’d love to say they stayed away, but as we menopausal women know, it can come in waves like PMT, but longer! However, they did come back, but not with the same impact, especially the mood swings. The hot flashes and night sweats are not as often and are less extreme. I’ll take that!
CBD can ease the menopause suffering
So to the women women coming in asking if CBD will help with their menopausal symptoms. Very simply YES! Women are coming in embarrassed about talking about their symptoms, thinking they are the only ones suffering and not really understanding what is going on with their bodies. Menopause is a subject often joked about and belittled, by women as well as men, but it really is no joking matter. HRT, hormone replacement therapy often comes with scary side effects and elevated breast cancer risks. So what can we do?
Firstly, lets talk about it! You are not the only one who wakes up in the night, drenched in sweat. Yes many women suffer from vaginal dryness and pain when having sex, that is if you even desire sex in the first place! Headaches, hot flashes, tiredness, stress, heart palpitations, weight gain – all symptoms of menopause.
The three phases of the menopause
Actually there are three distinct phases of menopause. They are perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause.
Perimenopause is the time before the end of menstruation during which the body slows down oestrogen production. Oestrogen is one of two primary sex hormones that trigger ovulation and menstruation. This ”slow-down” happens several years before menopause hits, with symptoms showing up 1 to 2 years before menopause proper. During ovulation, oestrogen levels peak. Yet, once menopause rolls around, ovulation stops entirely. This means that the body is no longer producing high levels of oestrogen.
You are judged to be in the menopause if you have not menstruated in a year.
Post menopause is the period after menopause is over. Most menopausal symptoms ease once women enter the post menopause phase, although night sweats and hot flushes can hang around long after menopause.
CDB can help and here is why!
The ECS, the endocannabinoid system controls the homoeostasis of the body. Homoeostasis is the optimum biochemical balance in the body and so of course it has a major part to play in menopause. It helps regulate body temperature, immune function, moods, sleep, pain, appetite and energy metabolism, and reproductive cycles.
Endocannabinoids, the naturally occurring cannabinoids in your body (phytocannabinoid) and oestrogen go hand in hand. When oestrogen peaks, so do your levels of endocannabinoids. In fact, prior to menopause, women are most sensitive to psychoactive THC right before ovulation,when oestrogen levels are highest. Oestrogen directly engages these endocannabinoids in your body. As oestrogen levels begin to drop, endocannabinoid levels change. At this time the implications of these changes are under-researched, however a handful of early studies suggest that by increasing the number of cannabinoids in your body (such as using CBD whole plant products) it will help support the body when the oestrogen is no longer present. Also animal research has shown that oestrogen recruits endocannabinoids to help regulate emotional response and mood. As oestrogen levels decline, disruptions in the way the body handles endocannabinoids may contribute to menopause-associated mood swings. In fact an endocannabinoid deficiency may contribute to early menopause as well as a range of other health problems.
Good quality, whole plant, organic CBD products will help
So good quality, whole plant, organic CBD products will help with all stages of menopause. It is important that a whole plant product is used as these contain a range of cannabinoids which work to create the entourage effect.
CBD helps ease hot flushes
Hot flushes (hot flashes) are the most common, or most reported, symptom of menopause. These hot flushes can sometimes come with heart palpitations and are infrequent and manageable. Hot flushes are sudden feeling of intense heat that can occur night or day. Night sweats are periods of heavy sweating, associated with hot flashes that occur at night. CBD products will help in a number of ways; First, it will help to regulate your body temperature therefore diminishing the number and severity of hot flushes. Second, it will help to ease anxiety and regulate blood pressure. Third, it will help for a more restful nights sleep.
CBD helps with mood swings
CBD will help boost your mood and reduce anxiety. It will also help to give more energy during the day and as mentioned better quality sleep.
CBD increases your libido and vaginal lubrication
A subject even less talked about but actually loss of libido and trouble with lubrication are two major side effects of menopause. CBD can help with both of these things! In fact women who are using the CBD balm/cream as a lubricant are having profound effects, talking about how natural the cream felt and increased the comfort and enjoyment of sex. Some have even mention a tingling effect of the cream which actually enhanced their pleasure!
CBD helps you control your weight
On average, women gain 5 lbs (2.2 kg) during menopause. Some women gain as much as 15 to 25 lbs (7 to11 kg). CBD will help you to control your weight. In an earlier blog we detailed why CBD products can help with weight control, to read more click here http://www.thehealingconnection.eu/blog/cbd-weight-control
CBD can relieve insomnia
Maintaining a good sleep schedule is vital for energy levels, a healthy body and general well being. CBD, as already mentioned, will help induce a better of quality sleep, reducing night sweats and anxiety.
CBD can prevent osteoporosis and increase bone density
There are number of research programmes investigating the effects of CBD on bone density and osteoporosis. Early indications suggest that CBD can actually help to prevent osteoporosis and increase bone density.
CBD eases pain
CBD offers an incredibly natural way to ease pain. It is a strong anti-inflammatory and helps promote more rapid healing.
CBD reduces the side effects of HRT
If you do decide to take some form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), increasing researches shows that taking CBD products can help protect against many of the major side effects such as breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, strokes and heart attack.