Benefits of Using CBD to Relieve Menopausal Symptoms

As we get older, our bodies go through changes. For women, one of these changes is menopause. Menopause usually occurs between ages 45 and 55 and is a byproduct of the body ending the reproductive cycle, causing a woman to no longer experience periods. During menopause, the ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can cause side effects like sleep disturbances, mood swings, hot flashes, and even osteoporosis. 

Treatment options for menopausal women

While symptoms of menopause can be bothersome, there are some treatment options. One is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT helps balance your hormones, making side effects from menopause like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and urinary problems less severe. Some women also choose to see their medical provider to evaluate if anti-depressants would help with mood changes. Women are also seeing health benefits from utilizing cannabidiol (CBD) to minimize symptoms from menopause. 

How do CBD products help reduce menopausal symptoms?

CBD is one of the more than 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, but does not produce a high like the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When it comes to menopause, the body’s endocannabinoid system plays an important role. This system is a collection of cell receptors (cannabinoid receptors) in the brain, organs, and tissues throughout the body. CBD can affect how this system works, which means it could influence effects of menopause on the body.

Cannabinoid receptors are involved in the following:

• Mood regulation
• Immune system function
• Pain
• Sleep
• Memory
• Fertility and reproduction
• Temperature regulation

The endocannabinoid system uses estrogen to regulate fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down endocannabinoids in your system.

Because there are cannabinoid receptors throughout the female reproductive system and menopause disrupts the endocannabinoid system, CBD could help treat many menopausal symptoms.

The benefits of CBD oil for menopause

CBD can have an effect on many different symptoms of menopause. Let’s take a look at some of the most common symptoms and how CBD may help.

Joint pain

A common side effect of menopause is joint pain, and it’s a result of decreased estrogen levels. Estrogen helps to suppress an inflammatory molecule called, tumor necrosis factor (TNFα). CBD can provide some relief for these aches and pains, as it has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to protect joints from damage and reducing the amount of TNFα in the body.

Mood swings & depression

Anxiety and depression are also noted symptoms of menopause. This is because the hormones estrogen and progesterone help to regulate serotonin levels and affect other neurotransmitters in the brain. So these hormonal changes can cause a change in your neurochemistry. CBD may help. A study in mice showed that CBD can reduce the effects of depression and anxiety, acting similarly to an antidepressant.

Sleep disturbances

As mentioned, menopause can interrupt the way women sleep, causing many to experience poor sleep quality. This is related to both night sweats and anxiety. As you’ve seen, CBD could be helpful in maintaining a sense of calm. Another aspect is the sleep-wake cycle. Endocannabinoids can play a role in this cycle, so CBD may also help to regulate it, leading to better sleep quality. When shopping for a CBD sleep product, try looking for one that also contains CBN. Like our CBN sleep tincture.

Bone density loss

During and after menopause, many women lose bone mass, and osteoporosis can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures. There is some evidence that may suggest that CBD can interact with a cannabinoid receptor that plays a role in bone density loss, although this has not been proven in humans.

Hot flashes

An intense feeling of warmth throughout the body, many women experience hot flashes as a side effect of menopause. While research hasn’t specifically looked at the effects of CBD on hot flashes, it’s possible that its ability to interact with the serotonin system may play a role in helping to alleviate this side effect.

What to consider when buying CBD products to reduce symptoms of menopause

If you’re considering CBD to help with menopausal symptoms, you’ll want to consider a few things. First, you’ll want to verify it’s a high quality CBD product by looking for a Certificate of Analysis, which details the chemical makeup of the CBD product. Then, you'll also want to ensure that the CBD is CO2 extracted, resulting in the purest and most efficacious product. You should also consider if the product is full spectrum or an isolate. Full-spectrum products contain all parts of the cannabis plant, and may contain up to the legal limit of .3% THC, and will include other healthy benefits from the flavonoids and terpenes, while isolate is strictly CBD. You should also consider the type of CBD. Topical CBD can provide more localized relief, while ingestibles like edibles, CBD tinctures, or CBD gummies can provide all-body relief over a longer period of time. Tinctures are also a great choice for relief from insomnia or anxiety. You’ll also want to be cognizant of any medications or supplements you’re currently taking and how they may interact. So, always consult your physician when considering adding a product enriched with cannabinoids to your wellness routine.