Verywell / Julie Bang
Key Takeaways
Some people are turning to cannabis to ease menopause symptoms.
What’s more, some physicians are recommending it.
She said she’d recommend cannabis to patients who dont want to take first-line treatments likehormonal therapy.
Verywell / Julie Bang
The reality is people are using cannabis.
And based on patients perceptions, it seems to be helping relieve symptoms, Rahman told Verywell.
Cannabis may not be accessible to everyone, especially since it’s still not legalized federally.
And patients might react differently to the various strains of cannabis.
Her overall function has improved.
How Does Cannabis Target Menopause Symptoms?
It can change how the body and brain function, sometimes resulting in painful symptoms.
Estrogen receptors are located everywhere from the brain to skin and beyond, Rahman said.
According to the study, anandamide production might be controlled by estrogen, which drops during perimenopause.
Is It Safe to Use Cannabis for Menopause Symptoms?
Different strains of cannabis can have different impacts on the body.
While low doses of THC may promote a calming effect, higher doses could induce anxiety.
Our medical cannabis patients tend to use products that are higher in CBD than THC, Gruber said.
They are generally very clear about not wanting to be intoxicated or altered, they want to address symptoms.
She also recommendshormone therapy, which is a first-line therapy for menopause, before cannabis.
Ill spend often an hour with a new patient with menopausal symptoms, Rahman said.
Not everyone with menopause benefits from cannabis use, though.
For some people, cannabis can cause unwanted reactions like anxiety or overeating.
Whats Next?
Researchers hope to conduct clinical trials in the future to confirm whether cannabis is effective at managing menopause symptoms.
A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties.J Transl Med.
2015;519(7541):45-50. doi:10.1038/nature14260
