Cannabis & Women’s Health - Exploring the use of cannabis to treat medical conditions that affect women

"Women's health" covers a myriad of physiological systems and bodily functions unique to their biology. Addressing women’s health means treating medical conditions and challenges unique to this half of the world’s population – like maternal mortality and the menopausal transition. Cannabis is increasingly being considered part of the women’s health and well-being arsenal by the medical community. While a federal ban makes broad scientific and medical research difficult, there is some indication of potential therapeutic benefits for women. Some of the medical conditions for which cannabis may be a beneficial part of treatment are on the list of qualifying conditions for the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program.

Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea, commonly called menstrual cramps, is an issue experienced by women during their menstrual cycle. These cramps can range from mild to extremely severe and may interfere with daily activities. Some women have reported finding relief from menstrual cramps by using cannabis products that contain cannabidiol (CBD). These products, which include topicals and edibles, can help relax muscles and alleviate pain without causing psychoactive effects that are associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Research:

• Seifalian A, Kenyon J, Khullar V. Dysmenorrhoea: Can Medicinal Cannabis Bring New Hope for a Collective Group of Women Suffering in Pain, Globally??International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23(24):16201. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232416201?
• Aakriti R. Carrubba, Jon O. Ebbert, Aaron C. Spaulding, David DeStephano, and Christopher C. DeStephano.Use of Cannabis for Self-Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain.Journal of Women's Health.Sep 2021.1344-1351.https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8737

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a prevalent form of cancer that affects women around the world. According to the CDC, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, with approximately one in eight women expected to develop breast cancer in their lifetime.? That is approximately 13% of the country's female population who will go through cancer treatment. Recent studies have shown that cannabis may help reduce some of the chemotherapy treatment side effects like nausea, nerve pain, and severe weight loss. Research also suggests that CBD may be toxic to certain types of cancer cells when tested in vitro (tested outside the living organism, typically in a laboratory). CBD may also inhibit the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to other parts of the body.

Research:

• Ashutosh Shrivastava,?Paula M. Kuzontkoski,?Jerome E. Groopman,?Anil Prasad; Cannabidiol Induces Programmed Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells by Coordinating the Cross-talk between Apoptosis and Autophagy.?Mol Cancer Ther?1 July 2011; 10 (7): 1161–1172.?https://doi.org/10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-10-1100

Anxiety

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), approximately 31% of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Research also shows that anxiety disorders are diagnosed more frequently in women than men, possibly due to hormonal differences and social factors. Cannabis is believed to have calming effects that make it a potential treatment for anxiety. Many women have reported experiencing relief from symptoms, such as racing thoughts and tension, when using cannabis products. Studies have suggested that certain compounds in cannabis, especially CBD, may have anxiolytic (prevent or treat anxiety symptoms or disorders)?properties that could benefit women dealing with anxiety.

Research:

• Any Anxiety Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (nih.gov)
• ?Asnaani, Brett T. Litz, Stefan G. Hofmann, Gender differences in anxiety disorders: Prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness,Journal of Psychiatric Research,Volume 45, Issue 8,2011,Pages 1027-1035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006.

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Women also report finding relief from other conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary symptoms (PCOS) with cannabis use. In addition, women who experience premenstrual syndrome, and those going through perimenopause and menopause, have also reported significant alleviation in some of the often-debilitating symptoms from using cannabis. During menopause, the levels of estrogen and progesterone decline, which can cause several symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Cannabis products have been found helpful by some women to manage these symptoms as they can help regulate mood, improve sleep quality, and alleviate discomfort.

Research:

• Dahlgren, M. Kathryn PhD; El-Abboud, Celine BA; Lambros, Ashley M. BS; Sagar, Kelly A. PhD; Smith, Rosemary T. BS; Gruber, Staci A. PhD. A survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause. Menopause 29(9):p 1028-1036, September 2022. (lww.com)
• Ferretti, Morgan L., "The effects of cannabidiol isolate on menstrual-related symptoms" (2022).?Masters Theses, 2020-current. 145. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/masters202029/145?

As cannabis becomes more widely available through legal channels, more women are exploring it as a treatment option for various health conditions, even as we understand the therapeutic benefits and potential risks require further research. We urge everyone to consult with their healthcare professionals before incorporating cannabis into their treatment regimen.?