How to relieve menstrual pain?

 

Thousands of women suffer from menstrual pain every day. Whether in the form of cramps, nausea or mood swings, many women dread this time of the month. Several solutions exist today to reduce and relieve these pains. CBD is one of them thanks to its numerous therapeutic properties.  

 

 

Menstrual pain

 

Menstrual pain and its accompanying symptoms are referred to as dysmenorrhoea. 

This problem affects an average of one in four women and can appear as early as the first menstruation for young women.

The pains appear a few days before the period and are often located in the lower abdomen, the lower back or even in the legs for some. They are often accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, fatigue, mood swings and sometimes even intestinal problems. 

 

Not very glamorous, but it's a reality and SOWÉ is not going to hide it.

 

Why does it hurt during my period?

 

Let's first review the biological process of these periods. During menstruation, the uterus contracts in order to evacuate blood and possible residual mucus. Why does this happen?  Because, in the absence of fertilization, the ovaries no longer produce estrogen and progesterone. 

However, for some women, these contractions are more intense than for others. 

 

Scientists distinguish between 2 categories: 

 

If the pain occurs during the first menstrual period, it is referred to as primary dysmenorrhoea.

 

When they occur in women who previously did not suffer from them, they are called secondary dysmenorrhoea, and there is very often an underlying gynecological cause for the pain such as:

 

• Endometriosis: the presence of uterine lining outside the uterus. During menstruation, the lining swells and causes pain. This disease now affects one in ten women.

 

• Adenomyosis: infiltration of the uterine muscle by the uterine lining. This is a particular form of endometriosis, which is characterized by the development of the endometrium inside the muscle of the uterus.

 

Times are changing and so are customs. There is more and more awareness on this subject and less taboo. It is important to know that there are now many solutions to help you through these difficult moments for some women. 

There are more and more products sold in pharmacies to remedy the situation, from menstrual underwear to food supplements, and some employers will even allow women to "work from home" during this period. But there are still other solutions to be explored.

 

Does CBD relieve menstrual pain?

 

How does CBD affect our system?

 

Cannabidiol, one of the many cannabinoids from the Cannabis plant, influences the endocannabinoid system. To learn more about the effect of CBD on the endocannabinoid system click here

 

This system is part of our metabolism and ensures the proper functioning of the body and its homeostasis. 

CBD may be able to interact with the transmitters of this system and thus act on our psychological and physiological activity. 

CBD can have beneficial effects on health! Indeed, its effectiveness in reducing inflammation and acting on the transmitters responsible for pain are one of the main reasons why many women adopt CBD-infused oils to help relieve them during their menstruation.

 

How does it reduce pain?

 

Various studies have been conducted to find out more about the effects of CBD on menstrual pain. A study conducted by the provincial head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada revealed the presence of cannabinoid receptors in the female reproductive system. This suggests that cannabinoids may be effective in relieving pelvic pain. However, it should be taken into account that the study was limited and does not contain information on the dose-response relationship. 

Another study from the University of Arkansas in the US highlights the use of CBD as a viable solution to reduce pelvic pain. Indeed, the study shows that CBD is a remedy used to alleviate the symptoms of chronic pain but also inflammation, insomnia and depression. These symptoms are also those experienced by some women during menstruation. CBD, therefore, seems to be an appropriate solution to calm the pain that women may experience each month.

 

The endocannabinoid system, ECS, is the subject of much research with promising expectations. Although there are still many studies to be conducted in order to better understand the effects, many women are taking up this new remedy: CBD. 

 

Fun Fact: In the 19th century, the famous Queen Victoria was prescribed cannabis to relieve her menstrual pains. Her doctor even wrote in the Lancet Journal in 1890 that "when pure and carefully administered, cannabis is one of the most valuable medicines we possess".  

 

How to use it? 

To benefit from CBD anti-inflammatory and relaxing effects, you can :

 

• Apply a few drops of any SOWÉ CBD Oil  of your choice under your tongue. Find out which CBD oil you can use here
• Apply Huile Preciéuse or SOWÉ Massage Oil (which contains CBD) or any CBD Oil topically and enjoy a relaxing moment while you relieve your pain. We advise you to massage the area in order to facilitate the penetration of the active ingredients into the epidermis and to obtain a better result (lower abdomen, lower back...)
• Put CBD oil in a hot drink before going to sleep and make sure it is oil based to get a better mix (milk, yoghurt…)

You can also use Sowé CBD Oil to get rid of the discomfort caused by your menstruation, such as loss of good quality sleep or mood swings. Applying a few drops under your tongue will help you relax and unwind.  Do your test here. 

We would like to make it clear that although it is common to feel some discomfort it is not "normal" to feel severe pain during your period! Pain during this period should be relieved by taking extra care of yourself with a warm bath, hot water bottle, massages and time to relax and listen to your body. If you feel severe pain during your time of the month, we strongly suggest that you seek medical help! 

 

In the meantime, SOWÉ is here to relieve you

 

Take care of yourself ;)

 

Sources

• Castel, P., Simon, P., Barbier, M., Sunyach, C., Tassistro, V., Manzoni, O., Pelissier, A.-L., & Courbiere, B. (2020). Focus on the endocannabinoid system and the reproductive toxicity of cannabis in women amid a debate on its decriminalization in France. Gynecology Obstetrics Fertility & Senology, 48(4), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gofs.2020.01.024
• Cavner, J. P., Smith, F., & Gray, B. (2019). Is CBD a viable option for menstrual symptoms? Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2(5), 1–3. Retrieved from https://irispublishers.com/ojcam/fulltext/is-cbd-a-viable-option-for-menstrual-symptoms.ID.000548.php
• IA. (2022, February 13). CBD oil: What do we know about its virtues in relieving pain related to endometriosis? Futura. Retrieved from https://www.futura-sciences.com/sante/questions-reponses/femme-huile-cbd-sait-on-vertus-soulager-douleurs-liees-endometriose-16639/
• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea): Everything you need to know about this condition. (2012, December 20). PasseportSanté. Retrieved from https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Maux/Problemes/Fiche.aspx?doc=dysmenorree_pm
• Prison de Amélie. (2019). Cannabis sativa: What future in therapy? Life Sciences [q-bio]. Retrieved from https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas-02329168/document
• Robert, M., Graves, L. E., Allen, V. M., Dama, S., Gabrys, R. L., Tanguay, R. L., Turner, S. D., Green, C. R., & Cook, J. L. (2022). Guideline No. 425a: Cannabis in women's lives at various times – Part 1: Fertility, contraception, menopause, and pelvic pain. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada, 44(4), 420-435.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2022.02.013
• Soraia Tomas, & Soraia Tomas. (2021, February 6). The therapeutic potential of cannabis in endometriosis. CannaReporter. Retrieved from https://cannareporter.eu/fr/2021/02/06/Le-potentiel-th%C3%A9rapeutique-du-cannabis-dans-l%27endom%C3%A9triose/