What Is CBD Oil? | Is CBD Oil Legal? | CBD Oil For Menstrual Pain Relief
CBD Products For Menstrual Cramps | Side Effects Of CBD Oil
CBD Oil Dosage For Menstrual Cramps | Can You Get High From Using CBD Oil?
Can CBD Oil Stop My Menstruation? | Conclusion | FAQs
About 80% of women experience cramps, also known as Dysmenorrhoea, during their period. This causes discomfort and pain during menstruation and is often accompanied by bloating, tenderness of the breast, mood swings, tiredness, and other premenstrual symptoms.
How Long Do Period Cramps Last?
These cramps can last between 48 to 72 hours and would be at their peak when the bleeding is the heaviest. There are different methods to cope with period pain that women commonly use.
Some take over-the-counter medicines, while others prefer hot compresses and massage. It is typically recommended to take NSAIDs for menstrual cramps however, the side effects of such medicines sometimes outweigh the benefits.
One uncommon, and somewhat controversial way to manage the symptoms is the use of CBD oil. It is currently becoming a popular choice of medication for pain and inflammation control. A lot of women are now using CBD-infused products to help them cope with their menstrual cramps.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD or Cannabidiol is the product naturally extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant and other relative species. There are more than 80 active compounds in cannabis, called cannabinoids. It can be made by extracting CBD into a thick paste and mixing it with a carrier oil.
It should not be confused with THC, which is the mind-altering component of cannabis. CBD is considered an effective treatment for people suffering from seizures.
Products containing CBD oil are rising in popularity due to its many uses which include anxiety relief, treating insomnia, and management of Dysmenorrhoea. It also comes in various forms from which people can choose.
These products can be taken in different methods as listed below:
Ingested CBD – CBD oil is ingested and metabolized by the liver to distribute its active compounds over several hours. It can come in the form of a liquid tincture that can be added to drinks or CBD-infused foods such as brownies, cookies, and gummies. This is the most popular form of product that contains CBD oil.
Sublingual CBD – This type of CBD oil is dropped under the tongue and held for several seconds. Mucus membranes help in distributing the active ingredients through the bloodstream. It only takes a few dosages for the oil to take effect.
Topical CBD – These CBD-infused products are applied and absorbed through the skin. It includes creams, salves, suppositories, bath salts, cosmetics, and patches. These products activate the cannabinoid receptors present in the area where it is applied.
Inhalable CBD – As the name implies, this kind of CBD oil is consumed by breathing fumes or smoke that are formed when the substance is burned, much like tobacco smoking or vaping. The chemicals bypass the digestive system and are taken in by the lungs. This type of substance needs to be used with extreme caution because improper use could result in lung injury.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that Epidulex is the only FDA-approved medicine that contains CBD, treats diseases, or has many other therapeutic purposes.
The Agricultural Improvement Act, which was passed in 2018, essentially removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substance Act, leading to the legalization of CBD oil derived from hemp.
While the majority of states have removed hemp from their lists of restricted substances, some still haven’t, making CBD products only legal in those regions where hemp is still on the list.
CBD Oil For Menstrual Pain Relief
Dysmenorrhea may have several causes, one of which is pelvic inflammation. During this time, headaches and migraines can also be brought on by infection-related inflammation. The highest concentration of cannabinoid receptors is in the pelvis. Utilizing CBD stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which aid in tissue healing.
Using CBD oil to treat pain has been around for a long time now. It can be traced back as far as 5000 years ago during the Egyptian period when they use it to treat neuralgia, headaches, and toothaches.
Using CBD to provide relief specifically for menstrual cramps has been rising in popularity. It has been a proven alternative to over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other pain relief drugs. It is also an effective anti-seizure medicine often prescribed to patients suffering from such ailments.
CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that help to manage discomforts brought on by several ailments.
According to a 2016 study on rats, CBD reduced the subjects’ joint inflammation and pain without adverse effects. A study made in 2019 shows the viability of CBD oil as a treatment to reduce the chronic and acute pain experienced during the menstrual period. According to users of the product, it offered the best results as compared with other methods such as yoga, stretching, and other physical remedies.
It is also observed that CBD is a viable anxiolytic. PMS is not limited to physical pains but also includes mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Subjective data studies are comparing CBD with other medications of similar effect in reducing anxiety, pointing out that the compound decreased 79.2% of the subjects’ anxiety scores during the first month of use and maintained a relatively low score throughout the study.
Though deemed effective in alleviating Dysmenorrhoea, it should be noted that there is not enough evidence pointing out that CBD is the sole cause of pain relief since most of the products used during studies also contained THC which is the psychoactive compound found in Cannabis plants.
CBD Products For Menstrual Cramps
As mentioned earlier, there are several ways in which you can take CBD into your body. It can come in different forms such as ingestible substances or topical ointments. It is very versatile in terms of usage, giving users a lot of options on how to take it.
Listed below are the most common methods in which you can use the substance to help you relieve pain.
1. Tinctures
Adding a few drops of CBD oil to your favorite drinks or directly dropping it on the back of the tongue can help reduce pain experienced during period cramps.
Some brands of tinctures even include flavors in their oils to help consumers who are sensitive to the off-flavor of CBD. Only a few drops of oil are needed for it to take effect.
2. Topical Products
This method is for those who are having difficulty using oral CBD oil. Topical products include the use of ointments, creams, and patches.
Users can directly apply the oil to the achy area during the menstrual period for relief. It activates the cannabinoid receptors present on the surface when it is applied.
3. CBD Infused Baths
Warm baths alone effectively help in relieving menstrual cramps. Women can infuse their baths with CBD along with their favorite essential oils.
This allows the compound to be absorbed through the skin and relaxes the body to reduce spasms.
4. Edibles
This is a very popular method of taking CBD amongst users. Certain food products, mostly pastries such as brownies or gummies are infused with CBD oil allowing it to be ingested and processed by the liver. This makes the compound slowly released and distributed in hours, providing comfort and relief during menstrual cramps.
5. Suppository
The pelvic region contains the highest amount of cannabinoid receptors. It is only logical that CBD in the form of a suppository would be the fastest way of introducing it to the body.
It can be inserted into the vagina where it would dissolve and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream avoiding the gastrointestinal tract first.
6. Vaping
Inhaling CBD into your lungs is also one of the faster and more efficient methods to take CBD oil. This makes the CBD compound absorbed through the lungs and distributed faster throughout the body since it’s directly absorbed into the bloodstream.
7. Tampon
There are CBD-infused tampons commercially available in the market nowadays. This product works similarly to suppositories.
Once inserted inside the vagina, it releases and activates cannabinoid receptors in the vaginal wall, which reduces the swelling and inflammation causing the pain.
8. Lubricants
Some women are still engaging in sexual activities even when they are on their menstrual cycle. CBD-infused lubricants can be used during intercourse to increase pleasure.
Additional benefits of using these products include relaxation of the pelvic floor, relaxation, and reduced pain from cramps or penetration. Some also report stronger orgasms when using CBD-infused lubricants.
CBD Oil Dosage For Menstrual Cramps
There are no official guidelines on what dosage of CBD should be taken for menstrual pain. Intake should be dependent on the tolerance of the user.
They can start from a lower dosage and increase it to see the perfect amount that would provide the most relief for their pain.
There are few recorded over-dosing incidents of CBD but it is important to always consult a physician before use.
Side Effects Of CBD Oil
Much like any other medication, CBD oil also has its share of side effects when used. The side-effect varies depending on the tolerance of the user.
After using CBD products many people experience problems like:
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Abusive use of CBD can also lead to organ damage and failure
CBD oil can also interact with any medications that the user is taking such as blood thinners so it is recommended to consult a physician before using any CBD products.
Some women also reported that usage of CBD has altered the length, duration, and intensity of their cycles.
Can You Get High From Using CBD Oil?
The short answer to this is “No”. Out of more than 80 cannabinoid compounds found in Cannabis plants, only THC is responsible for the high associated with marijuana usage.
Considering this, users need to take into consideration the type of CBD oil that they will use. The purity of CBD oil products also comes into play in whether it can cause a high sensation or not.
Marijuana Derived Oil
This type of CBD oil comes from high-THC cannabis plants. If the product contains more than 0.3 percent of THC, it would be considered a controlled substance and can induce a high sensation in users. These products would only be available for purchase in states where marijuana is legal.
Hemp Derived Oil
This CBD oil is extracted from low-THC cannabis plants. This is the type of product that is available over the counter and would not be intoxicating. This is the more popular kind of CBD oil due to its availability.
Can CBD Oil Stop My Menstruation?
CBD has no recorded effect on stopping the menstrual cycle. Menstruation is affected by hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. The changing levels of these hormones dictate the menstrual cycle of a person. CBD does not affect the behavior of such hormones.
Conclusion on Effects Of CBD Oil On Period Cramps
Most women experience premenstrual symptoms during the menstrual cycle. They endure menstrual cramps, mood swings, and headaches among other discomforts. Managing these symptoms can be quite difficult for many, especially for those who have low pain tolerance.
There have been a lot of home remedies for period cramps like warm compress, hot beverages, and massages that helped relieve most of the pain. Over-the-counter drugs are also available as an immediate treatment to manage the pain.
Due to its proven effects, CBD is rising in popularity as an option to treat PMS symptoms and help alleviate painful cramps during the menstrual cycle. Although proven to be effective, it should be mentioned that CBD oil usage has a few concrete studies showing evidence that the compound is responsible for the relief.
Since it has been derived from Cannabis plants, some U.S. states still treat it as a controlled substance. Even there is a single FDA-approved product that contains CBD. Usage of such substances must be done with a lot of care and be monitored by a professional and licensed physician.
FAQs
Sublingual consumption is the most common and possibly most effective way to use
CBD oil. Due to its rapid absorption into the bloodstream, you feel the effects faster
than with edibles.
Benefits of using CBD oil include: Decreased anxiety, Better sleep, decreased
pain and reduced nicotine and opioid addiction.
CBD does “NOT” make you high. Since CBD is derived from low-THC hemp plants.
And so on it does not contain THC more than 0.3%, which causes the high condition.
There are different types of hemp seed oil and CBD oil. The leaves, stems and flower of the hemp plant are used for CBD oil. On the other hand, the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant are used to make hemp seed oil.
Research shows that CBD interacts with anti-epileptic drugs, antidepressants, opioid analgesics, and THC. Also, observations have found that it indulges other common medications like acetaminophen and substances like alcohol.
