DOES CBD OIL WORK FOR MENOPAUSE?

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DOES CBD OIL WORK FOR MENOPAUSE?

WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?

Simply put, menopause is when a woman stops having periods. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, and is caused by a decline in oestrogen.

Although rare, some women experience premature menopause before the age of 40.

Originally, periods become less frequent and more spaced out, disrupting your regular cycle. This can continue for months or even years before the periods stop altogether. Unfortunately, menopausal symptoms can actually continue for 4 years or more after your last period.

The persistent nature of menopausal symptoms is what makes it so hard to deal with. Other symptoms include:

  • Hot flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Insomnia
  • Reduced libido
  • Memory and concentration difficulties
  • Headaches
  • Vaginal dryness and pain
  • Mood changes, including low mood or anxiety
  • Heart palpitations
  • Joint stiffness and pain
  • Recurrent UTIs

Research has suggested that CBD may have other health benefits, ranging from relieving pain to treating depression and anxiety, and possibly also reducing the symptoms of menopause.

CBD is one of many substances that occur in marijuana. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid, CBD is not psychoactive.

DOES CBD OIL WORK FOR MENOPAUSE?

CBD may work on the body in a range of ways to help menopause symptoms. Of particular interest is the way that it interacts with cannabinoid receptors.

The endocannabinoid system refers to a collection of cell receptors, called cannabinoid receptors, which are present in the brain, organs, and other tissues throughout the body. The endocannabinoid system works by interacting with chemical messengers, including CBD.

Researchers believe that this system plays an essential role in many bodily functions and other aspects of health, including:

  • mood regulation
  • immune functions
  • pain
  • sleep
  • memory
  • fertility and reproduction
  • temperature regulation

One theory is that a poorly functioning endocannabinoid system can lead to several different health conditions (CECD). Manipulating the chemicals involved in the system, such as CBD, could potentially help to treat such conditions.

Menopause seems to disrupt the endocannabinoid system, and there are cannabinoid receptors throughout the female reproductive system, so it is possible that CBD oil could reduce some of the symptoms relating to menopause.

WHAT MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS CAN CBD TREAT?

While there is no evidence indicating that CBD oil is likely to influence all menopause symptoms, it could be helpful for the following:

MOOD CHANGES

One of the most common symptoms of menopause is mood changes.

2010 study in mice found that CBD operates in a similar way to antidepressant medications in the brain, and reduces symptoms of depression.

It may be that CBD could also help to stabilize mood in humans.

SLEEP DISTURBANCES

CBD oil may help to reduce sleep disturbances and anxiety.

Being unable to sleep properly is a common complaint during menopause, and it can have a significant impact on daily life.A 2016 case study on a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) showed that CBD oil was able to reduce sleep disturbances and anxiety.

It is possible that CBD oil may also be useful in treating the sleep disturbances relating to menopause.

BONE DENSITY LOSS

A low bone density can increase the chance of fractures or bruises, so it is an important symptom to treat.

Some research has found that CBD interacts with a cannabinoid receptor that may play a role in bone density loss. CBD may, therefore, be able to reduce the rate of bone density loss that can occur during menopause.

HOW TO TAKE CBD FOR MENOPAUSE:

There are a number of ways to take CBD, and the method you choose is up to your personal preferences. For example, a topical CBD application could be a great idea if you are looking to target a specific area.

However, it may be best to take a more general CBD supplement that can promote overall wellness. This can be in the form of a sublingual oil, or in the form of capsules. CBD edibles.

Oils are a great option, because they are generally more potent and offer higher bioavailability.