Is CBD Effective at Treating Period Pain?

Period pain is a nightmare for most women. This article will discuss using CBD for period pain and buying the best CBD for period pain.

Period pains, also known as Dysmenorrhea, emanate from cramps and are experienced by most women during or around the days leading to menstruation. Other symptoms accompanying the period pain are vomiting, distress, irritability, diarrhea, headaches, etc. The range of pain differed from one woman to the next, as some suffered mild pain while others experienced unbearable pain. Most women will use over-the-counter painkillers to manage the period of pain. Others may consider natural methods of coping with the pain, such as using a hot water bottle to ease the pain, while others might consider alternative medicine. This article will discuss how CBD can be effective in treating period pain. Read on;

What Is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a chemical component in hemp and marijuana (cannabis). CBD is not the only element in cannabis. Within cannabis are various chemical elements, and CBD belongs to the type known as cannabinoids. The other famous cannabinoid is THC(tetrahydrocannabinol) which determines the difference between hemp and marijuana. Not all cannabis can make the user euphoric, as it depends on the THC level. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis. Hemp has low levels of THC and therefore lacks psychoactive properties. Brave (2019) stated that CBD does not change a person's mind. Marijuana has high THC levels and will make the user feel high. The THC levels also determine the legality of cannabis in most nations. Hemp is allowed in some jurisdictions where marijuana is forbidden because of the THC levels.

Is CBD Effective at Treating Period Pain?

Period pain is a common problem among women. Acheampong et al. (2018), referring to period pain as "the most common gynecological problem," stated that over 80 % of women worldwide are affected by period pain. Armour et al.(2019) noted that CBD was among the strategies a woman can use to manage period pain. CBD has therapeutic properties treating period pain in the following ways;

As a Pain -Reliever

The human body has numerous receptors(endocannabinoids) placed in every part to form the endocannabinoid system. Cannabis plants also have a system known as phytocannabinoids. When you consume CBD, the phytocannabinoids find the endocannabinoids for an interaction, interfering with the transmission of signals, eventually manifesting as less pain.

For Relaxation

During the period of pain, emotional and mental distress may be among the symptoms as the hormones rage, and the pain becomes unbearable. Serotonin, a hormone responsible for moods, fluctuates during stress, anxiety, depression, and panic. CBD helps in boosting the person's moods by increasing serotonin levels. Maggio et al. (2018) stated that CBD causes the release of serotonin.

For Sleeplessness

Patients undergoing period pain will have adequate sleep. It is expected that the period pain will disrupt the sleeping pattern. Kleckner et al. (2019) showed that CBD helps with sleeplessness by alleviating the symptoms that make sleep elusive such as pain and distress.

How To Use CBD For Period Pain

Poli –Neto (2022) noted that CBD could be useful for helping with period pain because it is not addictive and is tolerant. The legalization of hemp had a ripple effect on other factors, such as producing CBD products in the desired form. Below are some methods available for using CBD to treat period pain;

As a Sublingual

Sublingual use of CBD involves placing it under the tongue, upon which it diffuses into the blood vessels and gets into the bloodstream. It is the perfect method for the user who wants fast relief.

As an Edible

Taking CBD as an edible includes any method that involves ingestion of the CBD. It gets into the digestive system and passes through the liver for metabolism. The process takes longer than other methods and might not be the best for the user who wants fast relief.

As Vape (an Inhalant)

The CBD for vaping is purchased as a special CBD vape known as CBD juice. The user inhales the vapor produced by the vape, which heats the vape juice. CBD vaping is the ideal method for the person who wants the effect of CBD to kick in fast.

How to Buy The Best CBD for Period Pain

Buying the best CBD for period pain will be a challenge for a first-time user because the CBD market is not regulated. The following are some tips that the user can follow to buy the best CBD product;

Seek the Doctor's Opinion

Seeking the doctor's opinion or buying CBD with the doctor's prescription will not be a requirement in a jurisdiction where CBD use is legal. However, seeking the doctor's advice is a necessary step for the first time user because of the following reasons;

• The doctor will check your health status to confirm that you are healthy enough to use CBD.
• You may be on other medication for the period pain, and the doctor will advise you on if you can replace them with CBD, whether to continue using them or use your CBD as a supplement. The medication may be for a different ailment, and the doctor can check them to ensure that they will not interact with CBD.
• A doctor can help you look for any contaminants or allergens in your CBD product.
• Knowing the dosage is confusing as there is no standard amount. The doctor will guide you on how to dose your CBD based on age, body mass tolerance, etc.
• Finding the best CBD products is not easy, and the doctor may recommend the best places to buy CBD.

Buy the CBD From a Reputable Company

The effectiveness of your CBD product is always as good as the quality. Buying from a reputable company will be a shortcut for most users because they are unlikely to produce or sell substandard products as they intend to retain and woo more customers. CBD products from reputable companies are usually labeled and tested by third-party companies and have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to confirm that the nutritional list is accurate.

Avoid Unlabeled CBD Products

Unlabeled CBD products are available in the CBD markets and are tempting to users because they are cheaper. However, they are most likely to have contaminants, including excess THC. Some may have allergens. The downside is that the products do not have an address you can use to reach the company if you complain about the product.

Read Customer Reviews

Read customer reviews to base your decision on purchasing or avoiding the product based on other people's opinions.

Side Effects of CBD

CBD is safe and tolerated by most people, but side effects are expected during improper use through over-dosing and using the CBD while on other medication. Users should also seek a doctor's opinion before using CBD to manage an ailment. The user should also seek medical attention if the symptoms persist.

Conclusion

Period pain may be unbearable for some women, and CBD can come in handy to help them cope with the discomfort. There are several methods of CBD use depending on the buyer's preference. Before using CBD to treat period pain, the user should consult a doctor. Buying CBD from a reputable company is a useful tip for a first-time buyer who may be tempted to purchase substandard products that can be harmful. The side effects a user may experience can be avoided by appropriate CBD use and seeking a doctor's opinion before buying the CBD product.

References

Acheampong, K., Baffour-Awuah, D., Ganu, D., Appiah, S., Pan, X., Kaminga, A., &Liu, A. (2019). Prevalence And Predictors Of Dysmenorrhea, Its Effect, And Coping Mechanisms Among Adolescents In Shai Osudoku District, Ghana. Obstetrics And Gynecology International, 2019

Armour, M., Sinclair, J., Chalmers, K. J., &Smith, C. A. (2019). Self-Management Strategies AmongstAustralian Women With Endometriosis: A National Online Survey. BMC Complementary And Alternative Medicine, 19(1), 1-8.

Poli-Neto, O. B., Hallak, J. E. C., Rosa-E-Silva, J. C., &Crippa, J. A. D. S. (2022). Is It The Ideal Time To Start Prescribing Cannabis Derivatives To Treat Endometriosis-Associated Pain?.RevistaBrasileiraDe GinecologiaE Obstetrícia, 44, 449-451.

Brave, L. (2019). CBD TheSkin, Mind,And Body. J Altern Complement Integr Med, 5, 060.

Maggio, N., Shavit Stein, E., &Segal, M. (2018). CannabidiolRegulates Long-Term Potentiation Following Status Epilepticus: Mediation By Calcium Stores And Serotonin. Frontiers In Molecular Neuroscience, 32.