CBD for Menopause
CBD has become a popular natural and effective way to manage certain menopausal symptoms. With research showing its potential benefits for reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and promoting relaxation, CBD can help to ease and manage hot flashes, insomnia or sleep disturbances, anxiety, and mood swings, joint and muscular pain, and skin changes experienced as a result of the fluctuation and decline of hormones during the perimenopause and menopause.
Recommended products for menopause
What is the menopause?
The menopause is a natural biological process which means the complete cessation of the menstrual cycle. This stops a woman's reproductive system and means they can no longer get pregnant. Women generally enter the menopause between 40 and 55 with the average age being 51 years old, however early onset can occur before the age of 40, this is known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
The menopause is marked by the first year (12 consecutive months) in which a woman does not have a monthly menstrual period. The transition period prior to the menopause is known as the perimenopause. This can start up to 8 years prior to the menopause and during this transition levels of estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate and gradually decline. This hormonal imbalance can lead to a variety of symptoms, some of which include; anxiety, insomnia, hot flushes, night sweats, joint and muscle pain, mood changes, vaginal dryness and low libido.
Owning your menopause
The individual nature of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms and the different options available to manage symptoms mean that you should be free to manage your menopause in a way that suits you best. From HRT to supplementation, yoga to running, meditation to talk therapy and CBD to nutrition it's important to find the best possible way or combination of ways to ease and support your symptoms for your lifestyle and with your own set of circumstances.
Why CBD oil for the menopause?
Menopause is a natural and inevitable phase of life for all women, but the symptoms that accompany it can be uncomfortable and disruptive. From hot flashes to mood swings, menopausal symptoms can take a toll on a woman's physical and emotional wellbeing. Fortunately, many women have found relief from their symptoms with the help of CBD.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound extracted from the hemp plant. It is non-intoxicating, legal, has no psychoactive effects and has a variety of potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and promoting relaxation.
When it comes to menopause, research shows that CBD may be particularly beneficial for managing symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and mood swings. Through its interaction with the body's endocannabinoid system, CBD may help regulate a variety of physiological processes that can be disrupted during menopause.
Taking CBD for the menopause
Depending on the symptom(s) you're looking to manage will depend on which CBD product is best. For anxiety, mood changes or sleep issues we'd recommend using a CBD oil as they are easily absorbed into the body, fast acting and easy to dose. Find out your personalised recommended dose with our CBD dosage calculator.
For muscle and joint pain or skin conditions you may benefit from using a CBD cream or balm alongside taking a CBD oil.
Q&A on CBD and the menopause...
Does CBD help menopausal symptoms?
There is evidence to suggest that CBD may help alleviate certain menopausal symptoms. However, more research is welcomed to fully understand the potential benefits of CBD for menopause. Some of the symptoms of menopause that CBD may potentially help with include:
- Sleep disturbances: CBD may help promote relaxation and reduce stress levels, which could be beneficial for women who experience insomnia or disrupted sleep during menopause.
- Hot flashes: One small study published in the journal Menopause in 2020 found that CBD reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women.
- Mood swings and anxiety: CBD has been found to have potential anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects, which may be helpful for women who experience mood swings and anxiety during menopause.
- Pain and inflammation: CBD has been found to have potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, which may be helpful for women who experience joint pain, headaches, or other types of pain during menopause.
We always recommend women consult with their GP before using CBD if they are using any other medication to manage menopausal symptoms.
Can I take CBD oil for the menopause?
Yes, CBD oil can be taken to help manage menopausal symptoms. It's important to use an individualised dose and use high-quality, lab-tested CBD oil products.
What's the best CBD for menopause?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best CBD product for menopause symptoms will depend on several factors, including the severity and type of symptoms experienced, individual medical history, and personal preferences.
Some women prefer to use CBD oil as this offers a more precise dosage, is faster acting and absorbed most effectively. Other women may prefer to use CBD capsules or gummies, as these products offer a convenient and discreet way to take CBD.
There are a few things to look for when selecting a CBD product for menopause:
- Quality: Look for a high-quality CBD product that is made from organically grown hemp, and that has been third-party tested for purity and potency.
- Type of CBD: Choose a product that contains a full spectrum or broad spectrum of cannabinoids, as these products may offer more comprehensive benefits compared to products that only contain isolated CBD.
- Delivery method: CBD products come in a variety of forms, including oils, capsules, gummies, topicals, and more. Different delivery methods may be more effective for different symptoms.
- Dosage: The appropriate dosage of CBD may vary depending on the individual and the severity of their symptoms. It's important to start with a low dosage and gradually increase until the desired effect is achieved.
Can I use CBD for menopause sleep issues?
Sleep disturbances are a common symptom of menopause, and can include difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up frequently during the night, and waking up feeling unrefreshed. These sleep issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal changes, hot flashes, and anxiety.
CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating a variety of physiological processes, including sleep. CBD has been found to have potential benefits for reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, which may help improve sleep quality.
CBD may also affect the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are involved in sleep, such as serotonin and GABA. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating mood and sleep, and low levels of serotonin have been linked to sleep disturbances. CBD has been found to potentially increase levels of serotonin in the brain, which may help improve sleep.
GABA is another neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating sleep, and low levels of GABA have been linked to insomnia. CBD has been found to potentially increase levels of GABA in the brain, which may also help improve sleep.
Additionally, CBD may have potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, which may be beneficial for women who experience joint pain, headaches, or other types of pain that may contribute to sleep disturbances during menopause.
Can I use CBD for menopause hot flushes?
Hot flushes or hot flashes are one of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms experienced by menopausal women. They are typically described as sudden feelings of intense heat that spread throughout the body, accompanied by sweating, palpitations, and sometimes even dizziness or nausea.
CBD has been suggested to potentially help with hot flushes through its interaction with the body's endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for regulating various physiological processes, including temperature regulation, hormone balance, and mood.
CBD may help to alleviate hot flushes by regulating the body's temperature and promoting a sense of relaxation. It has also been suggested that CBD may help to balance hormone levels, which can contribute to hot flushes during menopause.
While more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of CBD for hot flushes, many women have reported experiencing relief from their symptoms after using CBD products.
Can I use CBD for menopause mood swings?
Mood swings are a common symptom of menopause and can be caused by fluctuating hormone levels, which can affect neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for mood regulation. CBD has been suggested to potentially help with menopausal mood swings through its interaction with the body's endocannabinoid system, which is involved in regulating various physiological processes, including mood.
CBD has been found to have potential anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and antidepressant properties, which may help to alleviate mood swings during menopause. Additionally, CBD may help to reduce inflammation, which has been linked to mood disorders such as depression.
While more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of CBD for menopausal mood swings, many women have reported experiencing relief from their symptoms after using CBD products such as CBD oil.
Can I take CBD oil with HRT?
CBD is used by many in conjunction with HRT and while there is currently limited research on the potential interactions between CBD and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) we always recommend speaking with your GP or pharmacist before taking CBD with HRT or any other medication.
If CBD and HRT do both form part of your menopause symptom management we recommend that they are taken at different times of the day, leaving at least 4 hours between the two, giving each one the time to work in the body.
Can I use CBD as a natural alternative to HRT?
CBD oil is not a substitute for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). While CBD may offer some potential benefits for menopausal symptoms, it cannot replace the hormone levels that are lost during menopause.
HRT is a medical treatment that replaces the hormones that are no longer being produced by the body during menopause. HRT can help alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, and can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other health problems associated with menopause.
CBD, on the other hand, is a natural supplement that may help to alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. However, CBD is not a replacement for HRT and should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment.
