Medical Cannabis & Women’s Health: Exploring the Connection
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A strong focus on women’s health has dramatically evolved over the years. New therapeutic approaches are emerging to promote and regulate women’s health, and medical cannabis is leading the way.
Strainprint is collecting and disseminating information from tens of thousands patients across the country. More than half of Strainprint users are women, and it’s clear that they’re using medical cannabis in ways that healthcare professionals may not be fully aware of. Aside from more typical uses, the data shows these patients are also using cannabis for treating menopausal symptoms, sexual health, reproductive health issues, PMS, including mood disorders, often associated with hormone fluctuations.
Providing Pain Relief for Reproductive Health
It’s rare to find a woman who hasn’t experienced mild to severe menstrual pain. For some women, their menstrual cycles represent a complete physical and emotional nightmare. Healthcare practitioners who prescribe cannabis are now looking at it to help treat specialized conditions such as a dysmenorrhea and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Both cause extreme, debilitating cramping. Cannabis is providing an alternative to pharmaceutical pain relievers with very high levels of patient efficacy. Patients are not only using traditional dried cannabis and oils but also next generation products such as THC-infused topical creams, transdermal patches and rectal/vaginal suppositories. Many patients have been making these products on their own! (As many are not yet available in Canada through Licensed Producers or are only available in select States like California and Colorado).
Mojo-ing with Cannabis
One of the big, emerging uses for cannabis, is undoubtedly giving a growing number of women (and their partners) a restored hope for their sex lives. A mid-range THC strain that has higher levels of the terpene Myrcene, is ideal for relaxing the body and calming the mind. With the relatively quick onset of effects, vaping can be an effective way of helping women change gears and get in the mood. But that’s not all. Infused topical oils, and lubricants are becoming available, and talked about, and they’re helping women experience heightened levels of sensation and pleasure.
A recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, provided compelling research findings. The study found that women who use cannabis had the most sexual encounters compared to non users with 7.1 encounters over a 4 weeks period compared to 6 encounters by their non-cannabis using women in the study.
Help For All Stages
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) affects all women within their lifetime, the severity of symptoms and duration of symptoms will differ based on age, physiology and other genetic factors. Some women experience severe mood swings or feelings of depression in the days leading up to their menstrual cycle, and cannabis is showing to help stabilize these moods.
Then comes Menopause. During this stage of life women often experience a number of physiological, hormonal and emotional issues that are uncomfortable to deal with. Some women enter menopause as early as 40 years old with the average onset age being 51. During this time, women’s estrogen levels go through a dramatic decline. This disruption affects sleep, body temperature regulation, appetite, energy levels and once again, mood. Fortunately, the endocannabinoid system (which is what processes cannabis in our bodies), also helps regulate these things. So in theory, introducing cannabis into the body, can provide relief from all these new life-stage discomforts.
Adding Something Extra to the Cosmetic Bag
Cannabis topicals are on the rise in legal cannabis markets across the globe because of their potential for promoting beauty and a healthy glow. Analysts at Goldman Sachs estimate the global beauty industry to be worth $24 billion dollars, and you can bet that cannabis companies are very invested in getting in on that action. As the legalized market advances, we’ll be able to see new products emerge that are designed to connect cannabis with beauty and overall well-being. Infused balms, salves, soaps, oils, perfumes, shaving creams, and bath soaks, are poised to become must-haves for the cannabis enthusiast who believes in the various uses of cannabis for beauty.
Looking Ahead
In Canada, we’re at an exciting time and place, as new products will become available and accessible in the coming years. This is just the beginning. As we continue to learn from our users, and those users start sharing with their girlfriends, sisters, moms and daughters, women will be reaping the benefits of cannabis in ways they would have never considered a few years ago.
If you use cannabis for any women’s health issues, we’d love you to expand on your experiences, anonymously if you wish, by emailing us at info@strainprint.ca. The more we learn from one another, the more we can inform others!
