Cannabis and menopause
Source: Cannapause- Cannabis for Menopause | CannaLance
This article by Ashley Priest originally appeared on CannaLance and is being featured on our site for the fourth issue of The Burgundy Zine.
It is without a doubt that women can benefit from cannabis consumption in many ways.
It is also undeniable that many things women endure during their lives, – such as menstrual cycles, PMS, and cramps, to name a few – the herb can play a large factor in providing relief from.
There is one time in every woman’s life that cannabis can be very beneficial: menopause.
Menopause
It’s More Than Just Physical Changes and Side Effects
During menopause, many things change, and many side effects are experienced.
Many people believe these changes and side effects are only physical. However, there are a lot of mental and psychological aspects that are also involved with menopause.
To truly be able to understand how cannabis can help a woman during menopause you must first understand what menopause is.
Not only must you know what it is, you must know the key things that change within the woman’s anatomy during this time, as well as the side effects that occur.
What is Menopause?
Menopause can best be defined as the time in a woman’s life in which her reproductive cycle changes and she is no longer able to bare children. This is a result of a reduction in estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries.
During menopause, a woman’s menstrual cycles also come to an end. Essentially, it is the end of a woman’s fertility.
Menopause typically occurs in a woman between the ages of 40 and 61. The average age in which women will have her last menstrual cycle is 51-years old.
This is not something that happens overnight. In fact, menopause can last for several years. There are also a few different stages of that occur during this window of time.
Causes of Early Onset Menopause and Common Side Effects
Early onset menopause refers to the cycle, which still occurs naturally, but there are other factors that may cause it to happen prematurely.
Some of these factors include:
- Surgically induced menopause (bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy)
- Chemotherapy treatment
- Genetics
- Autoimmune diseases
- Genetics.
Regardless of how menopause comes about, it will bring upon side effects that are not experienced when a woman is having her menstrual cycle on a regular basis.
Side Effects of Menopause
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Lack of sex drive
- Discomfort during sex
These are just a few of the most common side effects associated with menopause. There are still a variety of others that could be experienced, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Cannabis and Menopause
Sending Symptoms Up in Smoke
Now that we have a general idea of what menopause is, let’s look at how cannabis can help during this inevitable time in a woman’s life
Mood Swings
Let’s face it, weed makes people happy!
It only makes sense that it would be a great medication for women suffering from mood swings or irritability during menopause.
Weight Gain
Science has proven that cannabis consumers maintain a lower average body mass index (BMI), in comparison to those who do not consume cannabis on a regular basis.
There is also a brand of cannabis launching soon in major markets with products that are specially formulated NOT to give you the munchies, unlike most strains on the market today.
This brand will be known as Skinny Girl Weed, and it will be brought to you by Bethenny Frankel, the same woman we have to thank for Skinny Girl Cocktails!
Night Sweats and Hot Flashes
Studies have shown that cannabis consumption will naturally boost the serotonin levels within the human body. It will also cause the endocannabinoid system to work more efficiently.
Both of these factors can reduce hot flashes and their severity.
The boosted levels of serotonin and efficiency of the endocannabinoid system can also reduce the anxiety that is commonly experienced during menopause.
Decreased Sex Drive
Many cannabis consumers claim their use increases their sex drives.
There are even specific cannabis products available that are formulated to increase the libido in women. These cannabis strains have the perfect brand name – Sexxpot!
Discomfort During Sex
Aside from cannabis flowers for vaping or oils, there are many other products on the market today, including cannabis-based sexual lubricants.
Cannabis-based sexual lubricants can help relieve the primary cause of discomfort during sex: dryness.
A Healthy Endocannabinoid System is Key
Based on the research we do have, we know that Anandamide plays a large role in egg maturity and the release that happens during a menstrual cycle.
As a result, a deficient endocannabinoid system could cause early onset of menopause.
Anxiety and depression are very common in women who are going through menopause. Ironically, the endocannabinoid system comes into play yet again.
The regulation of emotional response, as well as relief from depression and anxiety, occurs when estrogen signals the endocannabinoid system to function optimally.
During menopause, estrogen levels are lowered naturally within the body.
These lower levels of estrogen lead to a less stimulated endocannabinoid system, which leads to a weakened ability to elevate mood and respond to stress triggers.
Consuming cannabis helps to keep the endocannabinoid system functioning at an optimal level.
Personally, it is only sensible to think that you should nurture this system even more during menopause. Choosing cannabis during menopause has helped thousands of women for hundreds of years, and chances are it can also help you!
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