If you’re one of many women who experience heavy PMS symptoms, including menstrual cramps, we hear you! Taking painkillers or NSAIDs are always an option, but maybe they don’t work for you, or you experience side effects you don’t like.
What if we told you that there may be another option with fewer side effects? In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about CBD for menstrual cramps, including benefits, how to use it, and which CBD products are the best for your monthly cycle.
CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is a cannabis ingredient that’s derived directly from the hemp plant. Most people use it to relax, but because CBD is so versatile, it can aid in management of tons of issues (such as anxiety, difficulty sleeping, low appetite, or pain).
The power of CBD lies in how it interacts with our Endocannabinoid system (ECS). ECS has receptors that react with CBD when a person consumes it. These receptors are like switches, and they influence tons of processes in our body, like appetite, inflammation, and stress responses.
It’s important to note that CBD doesn’t get you high; it can just relax your muscles and ease your mind without any psychoactive effects.
Besides using CBD for sleep, can it also help with menstrual-related symptoms?
Approximately 90% of women experience PMS symptoms that range from mild to serious. It can be anything from irritability, headaches, and mood swings to severe period cramps and vomiting. Some women can do everyday activities, while some can’t get up from bed. There are many remedies, but the truth is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to menstrual-related symptoms.
If you’ve tried painkillers and other ways to ease your period cramps and you’re not quite satisfied with the results, it’s time to try CBD for menstrual cramps and PMS.
CBD is already known for its anti-inflammatory properties and pain relief, so why wouldn’t it work for menstrual cramps? Let’s start with why we get period cramps in the first place.
Prostaglandin chemicals are the main culprit for period cramps. Our body produces it to help the womb tighten in order to shed the uterus lining. The more prostaglandin there is, the greater the severity of period cramps.
CBD products can help manage the severity of period cramps and help your mind & body relax. A recent study shows that CBD helps with both psychological symptoms of PMS (Solowij et al., 2018) and physical such as menstrual cramps (Reiman et al., 2017).
Now that we know that CBD can potentially help you with cramps, let’s see the main benefits of using it instead of other remedies.
Let’s talk about how to use CBD for menstrual cramps. You can use CBD for menstrual cramps in different forms. What’s available?
Our top recommendations to have on hand would be a Topical and Gummies (Edibles). CBD Topicals are great to rub directly on an area that’s hurting you, and you can use them again after a few hours if you need more. CBD gummies for menstrual cramps are edible CBD products that you can consume directly. Edibles tend to last longer, so they are perfect for lasting during a long work shift or through the night. You can learn more about how topicals work here, and more about edibles here.
With most products, you can choose the dosage and see what works best for you. The way you consume it, whether it’s CBD isolate or CBD distillate, and the dosage, influences how fast you’ll experience the effect and its strength. If you’re already consuming cannabis products, you probably already have a preference. If not, it’s time to explore different options and see which product will help you with menstrual cramps and PMS.
When old ways of doing things just don’t cut it anymore, it’s time to try something new! Why not try CBD for PMS symptoms and explore how it could calm down your body and ease your mind? If you’re just starting with CBD products, it’s important to take it slowly and work your way up with the dosage.
There is a wide variety of products, from CBD gummies to topicals, and you’ll easily find something that works best for you. CBD products could help you relieve both physical and psychological symptoms of PMS, with fewer side effects than most well-known remedies. Give it a try, and maybe you can forget about carrying painkillers and NSAIDs in your handbag!