CBD and Menopause

Table of Contents

In the life of every woman, there are certain normal biological processes that occur during their lifetime. Menstrual cycle, ovulation, menopause - every woman goes through these at one point.

Some consider the menstrual cycle to be the hardest one, others have the biggest struggle with ovulation days. However, for many women, menopause it’s one of the most challenging parts of being a woman.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is the normal biological process and it’s a mark for the end of the menstrual cycle. Once a woman reaches a point in time where there has been a 12-month period without a menstrual cycle, it’s considered that her menopause has begun.

For women, this means that the chances for natural pregnancy are nearly impossible, but also, many women are relieved that they no longer have to use menstrual pads, cups, or tampons.

These menstrual changes usually occur between 45 and 55 years of age. They can last from 7 to 14 years and the journey is different for every woman.

There are a lot of changes happening in the woman’s body during menopause, let’s check them out.

What Happens Inside a Woman's Body During Menopause?

Menopause is different for every woman, but what’s certain is that these are not easy changes to go through. For some women, the changes can come as a shock, while for others, they don’t affect their daily life that much.

The overall menopausal transition begins much earlier than the last period. Women usually start to experience symptoms 6 to 7 years prior to the official transition. Their menstrual cycles become shorter and the hot flashes become more common. Also, the mood swings can become a regular thing of the day - some of the first signs of menopause.

This is a normal way for the body to prepare itself for what comes next - and it all begins with the hormones!

Hormonal Changes

Before and during menopause, the levels of estrogen, progesterone, and androgens in your body start to decrease.

As these are the most important hormones in the woman’s reproductive health and regulators of the menstrual cycle, a reduced amount of them will result in major changes, not just in the reproductive organs, but in the entire body.

Symptoms of Menopause

Here are some of the most common symptoms women experience before and during menopause:

Vaginal dryness;
Irregular periods;
Hot or cold flashes;
Mood changes;
Sleep problems;
Weaker bones;
Slower metabolism;
Weight gain and;
Night sweats.

These are the most common ones, but not every woman experiences them. However, irregular periods are usually the first sign of menopause.

If you’re not sure whether you’ve entered this stage of your life, consult your doctor. All you need is a simple blood test to see whether the levels of estrogen and progesterone are reduced or not.

Menopause can be hard for any woman and there are ways to make it easier on yourself. One way is to incorporate CBD into your daily routine.

What Can CBD Do For Your Menopause?

Known for its soothing feeling, CBD can turn out to be just what every woman who goes through menopause needs.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an extract from the cannabis plant, psychoactive-free which makes it an excellent choice for experiencing the benefits of cannabis but without the potential ‘high’ effect.

CBD act as a stress reliever, but it has additional benefits when it comes to women going through menopause.

CBD and Pain

During menopause, women experience greater pain than usual due to weaker bones. When estrogen is not produced, the woman’s body produces more inflammatory molecules, which increases the chances of being diagnosed with arthritis.

So, CBD comes to the rescue with its antiinflammatory properties that can act as a remedy. In order to prevent injuries due to weaker bones, use CBD to decrease the inflammation.

CBD and Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the least talked-about symptoms during menopause, but many women experience it. Not knowing what the future holds for them or how their bodies will transform, can have a major effect on mental health.

Plus, estrogen and progesterone affect the production of serotonin in the brain. With their reduced function, there are less and less ‘happy’ hormones in the woman’s body.

With the overall unbalanced hormonal system, it’s easy to become more stressed than usual.

Luckily, CBD with its positive effect on the endocannabinoid system can help you regulate your increased heart beat, due to the psychological effect of anxiety. Also, if you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD, CBD as a remedy for those as well.

CBD and Hot Flashes

The reduced level of estrogen is the main reason why women experience hot flashes during menopause. CBD can act as a stimulator of anandamide, the endocannabinoid that can help regulate the body temperature.

With a regular consumption of CBD, women can reduce the number of hot flashes and with it, reduce the stress it causes on the body and mind.

CBD And Weight Gain

Without estrogen, it’s harder for women to maintain their regular figures. During menopause, it’s normal for the bodies to start storing body fats in places such as abdominal fat, making it harder to lose it. Even if you stick to your exercise and food routine, because of the lack of hormones, it will be difficult to maintain body weight.

A study done in a period of 5 years, on 4657 men and women about the effect of the cannabis plant on insulin levels, concluded that cannabis lovers have lower insulin levels and lower waist numbers overall. This applies to CBD as well, so women are more than welcome to use it as a way to deal with unwanted body fat.

CBD And Sleep Problems

Sleeping problems are a common thing for women who go through menopause. The hot flashes can happen during the night too, which disturbs the sleep pattern. CBD with its therapeutic characteristics, is excellent at “silencing” the overwhelmed mind of a woman in this stage. It relaxes the nervous system and with it, helps any woman to easily fall asleep.

Conclusion

Although a normal biological process, menopause is not easy to handle. Many women experience chronic symptoms and in order to make it easy on themselves, unconventional measures have to be taken!

Incorporating CBD in our daily routine could have more benefits than we can imagine, helping us manage our anxiety levels, sleep problems, or even insulin!

Nevertheless, be sure to consult with a medical professional before consuming any CBD.