Can CBD Help Relieve PMS & Menopause Symptoms?

Welcome, goddess! You've stumbled upon a source of revealing secrets, sharing holistic tips, and squashing stigmas associated with women's health. In this chapter, we're taking on every woman's two least favorite reproductive words: PMS & Menopause—and if you're one of the 95% of women who experience premenstrual syndrome, then you're in the right place.

WHO INVITED AUNT FLO?

Almost every woman has had the unfortunate opportunity to deal with the backlash served by our mutual frenemy, the menstrual cycle. From the day we receive our first visit from Aunt Flo to when our body's chemistry decides to cancel its monthly visitor subscription, we as women have had to adapt to survive. Now, I'm not talking about survival as in if we don't shove a tampon up our hoo-has, we'll bleed out and die, but more so in the shut-up and look pretty kind of way that society has shaped us to know.

For so long, we've heard from the public, educators, and even doctors that hormone imbalances, pains, and sleep disturbances were typical during a premenstrual cycle when the reality is they're not. Far From, yet here we are, having to tend to the pain, acne, bloating, and other fun surprises that come with having a uterus. Then having to turn to prescription pills in hopes that one will work and take all of this negative crap away. Unfortunately, the reality is our current medical systems lack support for female health, and why would they when men are still the default subjects in most major medical research? It's no wonder so many women are waking up and turning towards natural and holistic alternatives such as CBD for self and collective healing.

PMS & MENOPAUSE – THE YIN & YANG OF OUR YONIS

If you're reading up to this point and thinking, can the same be applied during menopause? The answer is yes. In fact, the premenstrual cycle shares many symptoms similar to menopause, and many clinicians often have difficulty distinguishing between the two. As a matter of fact, the two may even be more connected than we may have known. According to research by Doctor Freeman, E W., women who experienced premenstrual syndrome early on in adolescence were at greater risk of menopausal hot flashes, depressed mood, poor sleep, and, sad to say it, decreased libido. The same results showed for those who regularly experienced severe cramps.

PMS and menopause both have a wide range of symptoms and involve the unpredictability of two reproductive hormones — estrogen and progesterone. During both PMS and menopause, the body will experience lower estrogen levels, often resulting in an offset of hormones. Our estrogen levels play a prominent role in maintaining balance in our body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). So, when levels of estrogen drop, it affects the ECS resulting in uncomfortable and unwanted symptoms such as the ones listed above. 

Whether it be PMS or menopause, when those symptoms strike, we turn towards drugs, attempted hormone therapy, acupuncture, the good ol' fashioned hot pack, supplements, and need I list more? When, in reality, the answer could've been under our noses all along, or should I say under the soil?

ECS & CANNABINOID RECEPTORS

Along with our body’s endocannabinoid system, we also have our own cannabis receptors within us. Yup, you read that right! The ECS was named after the plant, hence why they share such similarities. This is because the endocannabinoid system can be activated by naturally occurring cannabinoids throughout the body or by those found in the cannabis plant. We find cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, from our brain to the central nervous system, gut, connective tissues, and even our nerves! 

These cannabinoid receptors work with the ECS to maintain balance within the body. So, it makes sense that when estrogen levels drop, doses of cannabinoids, such as CBD, will help to maintain that balance…. In fact, research suggests that those who have endometriosis have fewer cannabinoid receptors. When the endocannabinoid system can’t function properly, it has been suggested to lead to the growth of endometriosis tissue and a more severe pain experience. That’s why women, especially those suffering from this condition, might suggest trying CBD to help bring stability to the body and achieve anandamide, the Sanskrit word for ‘bliss’ and also the scientifically coined term for how the body should feel when all cells are as they should, at peace.

CBD TAKES ON THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Odds are, if you’re reading this article, you need a CBD that directly targets PMS and menopausal symptoms. Even if you’re one of the lucky 5% who doesn’t experience the repercussions of having a uterus, this knowledge might be helpful to pass on to a woman who does. CBD can offer redemption for years of pain, feeling bloated and broken out in acne, for the lost nights of sleep, and all the prescription pills we had to take because we were told that menstrual pain was something that women were “gifted” with and left to handle. I can happily reassure you that it is false, and CBD may be your answer.  

If you’re looking for a CBD made to diminish PMS and menopause symptoms, then look no further. At Goddess Well, we create CBD for women by women to complement and add to your already existing self-power. We’ve dreamt up a formula that would be designed to help target and relieve PMS and menopausal ailments, and with a lot of hard work, dedication, and girl power, we’ve brought that to life in our product Radiance. Radiance was created to take on the annoying feminine-cycles-related symptoms and show them who’s boss! Uniquely formulated, Radiance tends to your reproductive zones, your body, and your mind, while the CBD gets cozy with your CB1 receptors, helping to create peace within you. A unique blend of highly absorbable nano-CBD (2x more potent than most CBD products), nano-CBG (a close cousin to CBD, also non-psychoactive), and an exuberant list of botanicals including evening primrose, turmeric, resveratrol, clove, and ginger! A real life PMS potion!