Menstrual cramps suck. But if you have endometriosis or dysmenorrhea, the pain can be so severe it can be down right debilitating, ruin your whole day and affect your daily routine. Endometriosis is a condition that affects women and girls and manifests when excess endometrial tissue that lines the uterus begins to develop outside of the uterus. Primary dysmenorrhea is common menstrual cramps and secondary dysmenorrhea includes conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, or uterine fibroids. Any of these maladies can result in extreme pain, cramping, and inflammation during the menstrual cycle. Yes, there are several over-the-counter and prescription medications, home remedies and hormone therapies to ease some of the pain, but what works for many women is cannabis.
Women are reportedly turning to marijuana as a wellness product for things like sleeplessness, anxiety, joint pain, and menstrual cramps. According to a 2017 California State of Cannabis data report on consumer trends conducted by Eaze , 45 percent of survey respondents replaced over-the-counter pain medication with marijuana. Women have been using cannabis to treat pain for a very long time, even Queen Victoria is rumored to have been given cannabis as a method for relieving menstrual pain. The Queen most likely wasn’t lighting up but instead used cannabis tinctures, liquid concentrates administered via a dropper under the tongue. Fast forward a hundred years to today and tinctures are experiencing a renaissance in medical cannabis centers and states where marijuana is legal.
But for those who choose not to ingest, topicals are an excellent alternative. Whoopie Goldberg and Maya Elizabeth launched Whoopie & Maya , a signature line of herbal medical cannabis products designed specifically for the relief of endometriosis and menstrual discomfort. Whoopie Goldberg who has suffered from this disease is an outspoken advocate for women who suffer from dysmenorrhea and PMS. Whoopie & Maya feature four key product lines called SOAK, SAVOR, RUB, and RELAX in their medicinal collection. SOAK, is a bath soak combination of Epsom salts, cannabis and essential oils. SAVOR is a raw cacao based edible, which can be eaten straight from the jar or added to a hot beverage. RUB, is an all natural rub that contains beeswax, cannabis oil and other herbs to help alleviate pain quickly. RELAX, is a THC infused tincture blended with oils and herbs that help promote relaxation and pain relief. Read This EndoLife for additional information on endometriosis and a detailed review of Whoopie & Maya products.
The cannabis plant that many of us love to imbibe is female. Maybe that's why this special plant can sooth so many of the ailments that women suffer. Women have used marijuana for centuries to ease the symptoms of PMS, menopause, depression, insomnia, and languishing libidos. Cannama gives the rundown on how cannabis can be used as a substitute for the pharmaceuticals often prescribed to treat the woes of women. Read her article Weed Works Wonders for Women’s Health and learn how cannabis relieves pain and discomfort.
Prior to cannabis prohibition in 1937, the plant was prescribed by physicians to ease menstrual cramps, nausea, and other health issues. Delilah Butterfields talks about the lost history of cannabis in women’s health in Is Cannabis the Long Lost Key to Improving Women’s Health? When imbibing for pain during that time of the month, vaporizing is a great choice for control of PMS symptoms, because it provides quick acting relief without the negatives of smoking. Read Madison Zimmer's article on the Top 5 Marijuana Strains for PMS & Menopause to get an idea of what strains might work best for you.
If you’re wondering why cannabis is such a great medicine for womankind, it’s because estrogen and endocannabinoids go together like a hand-in-glove. Estrogen levels are closely linked to the body's endocannabinoid levels and when these levels are low, cannabis can supplement them. Read Zimmer’s article on how Marijuana Relieves Symptoms of Menopause and learn how supplementing endocannabinoids from cannabis can stimulate the body and delay some of the effects of early menopause. And read Nick Jikomes article, What Is the Endocannabinoid System and What Is Its Role? to learn more about the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Brief Bib
Butterfield, D.(July 27, 2017), Is Cannabis the Long Lost Key to Improving Women’s Health? Herb.com
Cannama (October. 2, 2017), Weed Works Wonders for Women’s Health , Estrohaze.com ,
Jikomes, N. (December 12, 2016) What Is the Endocannabinoid System and What Is Its Role? Leafly.com
Zimmerman, M.(October 31, 2016), Marijuana Relieves Symptoms of Menopause, Hellomd.com
Zimmerman, M.(November 8, 2016), Top 5 Marijuana Strains for PMS & Menopause , Hellomd.com