Research suggests CBD may help with symptoms associated with PCOS and Endometriosis

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of two key molecules in marijuana. THC being the other, THC gets you high, while CBD does not. While a lot more research is still being conducted on CBD and endometriosis specifically, some women say taking CBD helps ease and soothe their pain.

Many women use cannabis and hemp related products to treat symptoms associated with menstrual cramps and other symptoms for many years. In recent years studies have shown THC and CBD have shown to be effective therapies with relatively few side effects for many problems’ woman suffer with such as Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Scientists know that the body’s natural endocannabinoid system is integral to the healthy functioning of the reproductive tract. Imbalances in these neurotransmitters can be linked to many reproductive complications and diseases and it seems that careful use of Phyto cannabidiol based products and treatments could play a huge role in controlling these underlying imbalances.

Brief overview of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“A hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges.”

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems that may affect their overall health and appearance. PCOS is also a common and treatable cause of infertility. Almost one out of every 10 teen girls and young women has polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a dysfunction that impacts female hormone balance. Missed menstrual cycles and irregular excessive discharge, frequent cysts, chronic fatigue, and uterus wall thickening are inward signs. Symptoms include menstrual irregularity, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity.

The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is not very well understood but may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Unhealthy dietary behavior, being overweight, a lack of adequate fitness, and genes can all be possible causes.

Treatments include birth control pills to regularize periods, medication called metformin to prevent diabetes, statins to control high cholesterol, hormones to increase fertility and procedures to remove excess hair.

Brief overview of Endometriosis

Endometriosis – A disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.

Endometriosis, as per available stats, 10% of women world wide have endometriosis – that’s 176 million worldwide. The prevalence of endometriosis in women with infertility being as high as 30–50%, makes Endometriosis the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK.

It develops where the ovarian tissues within the women’s anatomy and is also found in organs other than the uterus mainly around the abdominal section. Endometrial tissue is what makes up the wall of the uterus. This tissue is shed through the menstrual cycle every month from puberty to menopause.

Cells grow and spread (similar to cancer cells) by somehow multiplying and avoiding destruction by the body’s natural security forces. These cells join to blood veins to supply nutrients and remove waste products (also like cancer), and they grow new nerve endings that increase pain perception.

Women, whose bodies are unable to prevent the spread of endometriosis (due to auto-immune diseases, genetics or environmental factors) also have a much higher risk for ovarian cancer. Due to the similarities, some speculate that treatments that stop cancer from developing and spreading might do the same for endometriosis.

Endometrium – Similar to that which normally lines the uterus – The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus, endometriosis is when these tissues grow outside of the uterus by mistake,

With endometriosis, the tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the intestines. The most common symptoms are pain and menstrual irregularities.

How is Endometriosis Usually Treated?

Effective treatments, such as hormones and excision surgery, are available. Doctors typically suggest one or more of the following three treatment options:

• Hormones —hormone therapy – reducing the strength and/or quantity of menstrual cycles.

• Painkillers – Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesic painkillers, extreme pain killers debilitating systemic effects none of which prevent this disease from progressing

• Surgery — A process where doctors surgically remove the endometrial tissue, which can give the patient tremendous relief. Unfortunately though, there are high risks of complications during the surgery and around half the patients will have a relapse of symptoms within a few years.

Ovariectomy — surgical removal of one or both ovaries or going through menopause will end the cycle of endometriosis but pain from the permanent scar damage may persist well beyond menopause on be lifelong.

The healing properties of CBD 

A problem many encounter after endometriotic lesions have been surgically removed, the endometriosis can come back.

Scientists recently discovered that endocannabinoids are involved in regulating cell-migration, the molecules in cannabis like CBD can stop endometriotic cells from migrating by blocking the activation of the GPR18 receptor.

This recent study shows Cannabinoids have been shown to control the cell survival/death decision. Cannabinoids induce growth arrest or apoptosis. Normally, your body has security measures to prevent the growth of unrecognized cells before they become a problem and destroy them known as apoptosis.

Apoptosis seems to be impaired in people who suffer from endometriosis and similar disorders. Scientists are finding very promising results around the endocannabinoid system and its involvement in apoptosis and stopping unusual cell growth. A well-known application of these effects is in the treatments of various cancers. Even though there is no direct evidence of it being used as a cure some research shows that activating these receptors inhibits endometriotic tissue from proliferating in mice.

However, molecules like THC that activate this receptor could potentially increase cell migration. So, those who looking to self-medicate with cannabis, should consider a non-THC based cannabis product and lean towards the use of CBD with very low THC levels or CBD Isolate based products that contain absolutely Zero THC.