Cannabis and Women's Health

Cannabis and Women’s Health

Cannabis has been used since ancient times for a variety of women’s health issues. Even into the 20^th century as cannabis was being outlawed around the world, physicians and medical textbooks were continuing to recommend cannabis to women as a treatment for dysmenorrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, menopausal symptoms, and migraine headaches associated with menstruation.

Cannabis has proven a reliable herbal treatment for medical conditions unique among women across a range of cultures. From mild symptoms or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to conditions such as endometriosis, cannabis medicines and their interaction with the Endocannabinoid System can play a significant role in supporting women’s health. Because endocannabinoids mediate many aspects of reproductive health in women, the informed use of medical cannabis is crucial to avoid potential side effects.

There is a longstanding bias against the study of sex differences, and of females in general, in scientific research. (Beery 2011) An understanding of the sex differences in endocannabinoid system expression and function is important. (Craft 2013) (Wagner 2016)

Within the brain, cannabinoid CB1 receptors are differently expressed between males and females. Researchers have found evidence for sex-dependent differences in the cannabinoid CB1 receptor density in the brain’s prefrontal cortex and amygdala, where the hormone estradiol appears to decrease the number of CB1 receptors expressed. In female rats, estradiol interacts with the endocannabinoid system and modulates emotional behavior. A neural connection exists between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex that responds to emotional events, and the amygdala modulates fear and anxiety responses. These brain regions are also involved in attention and in social behaviors.

There are also sex- and/or hormone- dependent differences related to brain structures responsible for motivation, reward behavior, and motor activity, where cannabinoid CB1 receptors play crucial roles.

As of 2017, preclinical research has been conducted, and recent findings underscore the role played by the endocannabinoid system in women’s health. Receptors and endocannabinoids have been found at high concentrations within a range of tissues throughout the uterus and female reproductive system. (Taylor 2010)

It is currently believed that the endocannabinoids, especially anandamide, play a significant role in regulating fertility and early pregnancy. (El-Talatini 2010)

In self-reported surveys of women, there is a large amount of data supporting the contention that cannabis has a positive influence on female sexual function and receptivity, with lower doses increasing desire and perceived pleasure, and higher doses suppressing them.

Recent preclinical research has found that females’ blood-serum endocannabinoid levels can vary in conditions such as depression. Women with major depression were found to have significantly lass 2-AG in their blood serum. However, the number of circulating endocannabinoids did not vary by the severity of the level of depression experienced by the patient.

It is also important to note that women are much more likely than men to experience side effects from prescribed medications. Since cannabis has a more tolerable side-effects profile, it presents an attractive alternative medicine.

Women appear to be much more sensitive than men to many aspects of phytocannabinoids action.

There is preclinical research underway to examine the potential role of CBD and THC in possible future treatments for specific breast-cancer lines. (McAllister 2011)

Women are using cannabis to relieve some symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, with success. (Gammon 2005)

Polycystic ovary disease may benefit from fish-oil supplements that the body uses to build precursors to fatty amide hydrolase (FAAH), the endocannabinoid enzyme linked to the condition.

The endocannabinoid system regulates many aspects of reproductive function in females

Levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) fluctuate somewhat during the menstrual cycle, peaking near ovulation and plummeting before menstruation. (Scotchie 2015)

At its peak concentration, the uterus contains more anandamide than any other organ in the body. This fluctuation may provide support for the preference of many women to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by supplementing a cyclical AEA deficiency with phytocannabinoids such as THC.

Recently, researchers looked for potential genetic variations in CB1 cannabinoid receptors in women suffering from extreme PMS symptoms, a condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The researchers noted that an endocannabinoid link to PMDD is likely, just not subject to CB receptor variation.

Among the most common conditions for which women have used cannabis, dysmenorrhea may be an inflammatory disorder, and partially mediated by endocannabinoids. (McPartland 2001)

CB1 receptor agonists, such as THC, may decrease endometriosis-associated pain, but caution is advised, since THC may increase cell migration in the disease. (Dmitrieva 2010) (McHugh 2012) 
The cannabinoid receptor, GPR-18 appears responsible for the migration of endometrial tissue in endometriosis and, in cell studies, is activated by THC. It appears to be inhibited by CBD. Women with endometriosis are therefore advised to avoid high-THC cannabis products, in favor of hybrids with both CBD and THC with at least 3:1 (CBD:THC) ratio, until more research is available.

According to preliminary preclinical data, the endocannabinoid system may be dysregulated in endometrial uterine cancer.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down anandamide, is deficient in women with polycystic ovary disease. This could support the use of omega-3 supplements, which the body uses in the process of synthesizing the FAAH enzyme. (Cui 2017)

Low-lymphocyte FAAH expression and high-plasma AEA levels have been associated with lower odds of successful pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and increased risk of miscarriage.

Studies of women with eating disorders found abnormal levels of anandamide (AEA) in women with anorexia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, but not in women with bulimia. The scientists posited that AEA production may be mediating the rewarding and reinforcement aspects of behavior associated with these syndromes. Endocannabinoids appear to play a role in the processes that are regulated by leptin, the peripheral fat hormone involved in body weight and energy balance.

In preclinical research, it has been shown that female animals are more resistant to experimental attempts to interfere with CB1 function, which the researchers believed may be evidence that females are less vulnerable to certain stress disorders, but that this compensation may increase female susceptibility to depressive disorders.

Research has also shown there is sex-specific modulation of how the female hormone estradiol regulates the hippocampus, a key brain structure that is associated with maintaining proper endocannabinoid tone in women related to neurological or psychiatric disorders that differ between the sexes.

It has been known that female mammals are more sensitive than males to cannabinoid-induced behavioral effects. This difference is likely due to ovarian function, as female rats deprived of both ovaries are less responsive to rewarding properties of cannabinoids. This confirms the role of estrogens in THC reward response, but also may increase the risk of women for cannabis dependency.

Dosing with Cannabis for Women’s Health

Effective dose will vary widely, depending on the symptom being treated. High amounts of THC have been shown in a variety of studies to impact hormonal release. Endocannabinoid signaling plays an important role in female reproductive events, including embryo development. Interfering with endocannabinoid signaling through high-dose cannabis may significantly impair these processes.

Doses of THC and CBD between 2.5 and 5 mg are popular for patients looking to relieve discomfort associated with PMS, dysmenorrhea, and menopause.

Women with susceptibility to endometriosis should avoid high-THC cannabis products and select cannabis that contains at least half of its cannabinoid content in CBD. CBD at doses between 5 and 20 mg may help reduce pain associated with endometriosis, though THC on its own should be avoided with this condition.

There is some observational data that the frequency of migraine associated with menstruation may be reduced, and even controlled, through a very small (1 – 2 mg) prophylactic dose of high-THC cannabis a few times a week, taken immediately before and during the woman’s menstrual period.

Low doses of oral cannabis medicines are very popular with female patients for their convenience and the length of their effects. Cannabis teas and tinctures have a long history in effectively treating female medical conditions.

Vaporizing and smoking are the preferred method among female patients; vaporization is recommended since it reduces exposure to combustion toxins, and can be discrete.

Topical cannabis preparations, such as skin creams, are of increasing interest to many women. CBD creams are potent anti-inflammatory agents and can be useful for maintaining skin health and have significant promise in reducing signs of skin aging. 

Cannabis topical formulations designed for vaginal application, developed by women-owned companies, are an emerging trend. Many women have reported these products to be effective and enjoyable for enhancing and improving sexual response, especially after menopause.

Women report that Blueberry and Blue Dream, both high in terpenes Pinene and Myrcene, are effective for the pain associated with menstrual cramping.

Cannabis strains high in Myrcene, Limonene, and Caryophyllene, such as the Kush varieties, are reported by patients to be particularly effective for evening use with dysmenorrhea and PMS.

For daytime use, caryophyllene varieties, such as Cookies, should be effective at low doses.

One of the most legendary of all cannabis strains is Haze, which was developed in Santa Cruz, CA, in the 1970s by a woman.

Women LOVE cannabis. And we are huge advocates for its legitimacy!!

Information about Cannabis and Women’s Health was taken from the amazing book: Cannabis Pharmacy, The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana by Michael Backes, Andrew Weil, M.D., and Jack McCue, M.D.

You can find this incredible book here.
If your looking for a cannabis friendly Doctor near you, go to www.marijuanadoctors.com

If you look for it, on search engines, or social media groups, like Facebook, you may be able to find a local society of cannabis women. If you live in Colorado, I recommend the Denver Women of Cannabis. It is important to gather with other like-minded individuals who understand and support your interest in cannabis wellness. It's also a great place to network and make new friends. A friend with weed is a friend indeed!

More Resources for Women and Cannabis

* Denver Women of Cannabis - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Denver.Women.Of.Cannaibs
* Women Grow - https://womengrow.com/
* Top Women in the Cannabis Industry - https://www.finder.com/women-in-cannabis
* Exploring Cannabis and Women's Health - Leafly.com - also a great place to find cannabis educational information, local dispensaries, and strain specific information - Leafly.com