CBD oil for menstrual cramps may be your new go-to, to help relieve PMS symptoms.
CBD Oil for Menstrual Cramps:
Are you one of the many women who struggle with menstrual cramps? It’s normal for all women to feel some level of abdominal discomfort during their period, but for some women, the pain levels become so severe that they’re debilitating. Severe menstrual cramps are called dysmenorrhea, and you’d be surprised by how many women you know actually struggle with this condition. CBD for menstrual cramps may have your back.
As most women will tell you, treating severe menstrual cramps can be a challenge. A lot of tried-and-true methods for other types of pain simply aren’t effective enough against this unique condition. Today, we’ll be talking about an option that more and more women are considering, which is CBD. As you’ll see, CBD may be able to help with not just menstrual cramps, but other common PMS symptoms as well.
If you’re looking for a natural and holistic approach to managing pain that occurs with your menstrual cycle, read on. Not only will we be discussing the unique way in which CBD may be able to supply you with some relief, but we’ll also be touching upon how to use CBD properly for the best possible results.
Menstrual Cramps: What They Are and Why They Occur
Menstrual cramps are the result of the uterus shedding its lining each month. In order to rid itself of this lining which it no longer needs, it contracts, which helps the lining pass through easily. The problem is that for some women, these contractions can be astonishingly painful, and this is due to prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that determine how strong those contractions are, while increasing inflammation to the area as they see fit.
Women with more prostaglandins will have more severe menstrual cramps. Prostaglandin levels can be excessively high due to a number of factors, and are most often elevated in women with hormonal imbalances. This means that everything from stress levels to diet can determine how painful menstrual cramps will be when a woman’s period is ready to arrive.
Other conditions can cause cramps to become unusually severe, including endometriosis, fibroids and other issues that affect the female reproductive system.
CBD, the Endocannabinoid System and the Menstrual Cycle
So, what does CBD have to do with all of this? Well, CBD, as you may know, is a cannabinoid that’s derived from the female hemp plant. Being a cannabinoid, it gives the endocannabinoid system what it needs to perform regulatory actions throughout all of the bodily systems. Within each bodily system lies a series of cannabinoid receptors, and when these cannabinoid receptors receive CBD, they can become regulated in terms of the various functions that they perform.
The regulatory nature of the endocannabinoid system means that cannabinoid intake might be able to help regulate bodily processes that are affected by the menstrual cycle, including the contractions that cause menstrual cramps. When these cannabinoid receptors receive CBD, they can change the way in which the brain receives pain signals, while also helping balance the hormones responsible for the overproduction of prostaglandins, and potential inflammation that can make the pain even worse.
Further, because of the unique way in which the endocannabinoid system works, when we consume CBD internally, this system sends cannabinoids where they’re most needed throughout the body. This means that CBD may be able to help with other common PMS issues as well, which we will be getting into shortly.
CBD for Inflammation
CBD may be able to help with pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Further, CBD seems to have analgesic properties as well, which means that it may disrupt pain signals in the brain. Inflammation seems to play a role in the severity of menstrual cramps and we all know CBD for inflammation can help.
CBD for Bloating
CBD also seems to have unique effects on the digestive tract, also likely due to its anti-inflammatory activity. Bloating is another common PMS symptom, and many women report that bloating makes their cramps even more painful.
CBD for Mood
Mood and PMS symptoms seem to have a close relationship. For one thing, being in a poor mood seems to have the potential to make cramps worse, as cortisol seems to be a progesterone inhibitor, and low progesterone levels are linked to more painful menstrual cramps. Further, when we are struggling with menstrual cramps, our mood is affected, and many women already suffer from mood swings during the beginning of their cycle each month. CBD may be able to help regulate cortisol levels in order to minimize stress during the menstrual cycle.
Using CBD for Menstrual Cramps: What to Know
Now, let’s talk about using CBD for menstrual cramp relief.
Tell Your Doctor if You’re Already Being Treated for Menstrual Cramps
If you’re taking medication for menstrual cramps already, inform your doctor that you plan on adding CBD to the mix and get their take on CBD oil for menstrual cramps.
Take CBD Throughout Your Cycle for the Best Results
While it may seem that the best route is taking CBD only when the cramps become a problem, it’s actually recommended that you take CBD daily throughout your cycle. This way, the endocannabinoid system can manage your hormone levels throughout the month so that by the time PMS arrives, your cramps may be less severe.
Choose a Milligram Strength That Reflects Your Symptoms
Choose a milligram strength based on how severe your pain becomes each month, as well as your body weight.
Consider Throwing in Some Terpenes
Terpenes are plant compounds that offer additional properties to the body. The hemp plant is naturally rich in terpenes, but to be able to use them, you must choose a broad or full spectrum hemp product, as CBD isolate is free of terpenes.
Wait it Out for One Cycle
The potential effects of CBD may not be in full force until the cycle following the start of your hemp routine. So take CBD for menstrual cramps for a few cycles and see how it works for you!
Make Sure You Choose High-Quality CBD
High-quality CBD is imperative because low-quality CBD may be too chemically unstable to offer real help. Look for a company that provides third-party lab reports to consumers on their website.
Consider Two Delivery Methods
You may want to think about doubling up on delivery methods. A topical can be applied directly to the lower stomach area of skin for a more concentrated, targeted approach. Meanwhile, consuming CBD oil for menstrual cramps internally can provide more widespread effects throughout the body that can help with hormone regulation.
What We Now Know
Menstrual cramps can become so severe that they’re crippling to some women. Even more mild cases can be disruptive enough to get in the way of daily responsibilities such as work. If you’re struggling with menstrual cramps, consider giving CBD a try. Use the guide above to make sure that you use CBD in the most potentially effective way for the relief that you deserve.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Due to FDA Regulations, we recommend that you do your own research on CBD products. We also suggest that you read the reviews on our website; where our customers record their real-world results of using our products.
CBD Oil for Menstrual Cramps F.A.Q.
CBD may be able to help with menstrual cramps. It is both an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic according to studies on CBD and hemp properties.
The amount of CBD that you should take for menstrual cramps depends on your body weight and the severity of your cramps.
CBD should not have any major effect on your overall menstrual cycle.