Compare the best CBD for Endometriosis Pain in 2021

How CBD Helps With Endometriosis Pain

Endometriosis is an often painful ailment where the tissue that usually lines the insides of your uterus grows outside⁽¹⁾.   

The pain is sometimes difficult to alleviate without surgery, which often produces intolerable side effects⁽²⁾.   

Based on a study from the Journal of Pain, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may affect uterine function and dysfunction. Thus, the researchers hypothesized that the ECS may be involved in endometriosis and associated pain⁽³⁾. 

The endocannabinoid system is present in almost all parts of the body and functions by maintaining homeostasis⁽⁴⁾. 

Homeostasis is the process where living things maintain stability⁽⁵⁾. 

Cannabidiol (CBD), which is an active element of cannabis⁽⁶⁾, works by interacting with the ECS⁽⁷⁾. 

The ECS is composed of cannabinoid receptors, namely, CB1 and CB2 receptors found on cells throughout your body⁽⁸⁾. 

CB1 receptors play a significant role in pain sensation⁽⁹⁾. They may be expressed on both the somata (body of an organism) and fibers of the sensory and sympathetic neurons that innervate ectopic growths⁽¹⁰⁾.    

The findings suggested that the endocannabinoid system may contribute to mechanisms underlying the pain associated with endometriosis. The ECS may also affect the peripheral innervation of the abnormal growths⁽¹¹⁾. 

Note that the human body naturally produces endocannabinoids that interact with the cannabinoid receptors⁽¹²⁾. 

However, if there is a shortage of endocannabinoids, plant-based cannabinoids like CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may mimic their actions⁽¹³⁾. 

 THC is the primary psychotropic congener in the cannabis plant that produces a euphoric high. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive⁽¹⁴⁾. 

When there is an endocannabinoid deficiency, administering CBD and THC may help the endocannabinoid system maintain its proper function⁽¹⁵⁾. 

However, measuring the number of CB receptors stimulated and how each phytocannabinoid enters the bloodstream is complex⁽¹⁶⁾. 

A national online survey conducted in 2019 focused on self-management strategies of Australian women with endometriosis⁽¹⁷⁾. 

Among the many self-management strategies Australian women used to alleviate their symptoms, hemp or CBD oil displayed one of the highest pain relief scores⁽¹⁸⁾. 

This result may be promising. Still, significant research must be done to understand the impact of the interaction between CB receptors and cannabinoids like CBD.

More studies are necessary to determine CBD’s therapeutic effects and its ability to alleviate endometriosis pain. 

Benefits of Using CBD for Endometriosis Pain

Endometriosis may cause pain and discomfort due to the abnormal growth of the endometrial tissue⁽¹⁹⁾. 

CBD may help with inflammation and pain⁽²⁰⁾. Thus, CBD’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties may be promising for endometriosis. 

A cross-sectional online survey from the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies reported that CBD oil was one of the most highly rated self-management strategies based on the female participants’ personal experience⁽²¹⁾.  

Numerous clinical trials involving cannabidiol’s purported benefits on chronic pain have been conducted since the early 2000s⁽²²⁾. 

A study published in the journal Antioxidant reviewed the main biological effects of cannabidiol and its synthetic derivatives, focusing on CBD’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties⁽²³⁾.

The researchers hypothesized that CBD may help with diseases associated with oxidative stress⁽²⁴⁾.

For this reason, cannabidiol’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties may help women with endometriosis. 

Note that endometriosis not only causes pain. The condition may also lead to infertility⁽²⁵⁾. 

Research from Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity noted the role of oxidative stress, defined as a disproportion between antioxidants and reactive oxygen species (ROS), on endometriosis⁽²⁶⁾. 

ROS plays a significant role in the modulation of cell survival and inflammation-related factors⁽²⁷⁾. 

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in infertility due to the decreased level of antioxidant mechanisms. Meanwhile, excessive ROS may reduce the likelihood of fertilization in IVF or in vitro fertilization because it causes an environment unsuitable for normal female physiological reactions⁽²⁸⁾.

IVF is an assisted reproduction procedure where a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm are combined in a laboratory dish⁽²⁹⁾. 

Aside from CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, this non-euphoriant compound also contains analgesics with a CB1 receptor antagonist and endocannabinoid modulating effect⁽³⁰⁾. 

Thus, CBD’s analgesic properties may help women with endometriosis in terms of pain management. 

These studies are still inconclusive. Therefore, more research is needed to verify the efficacy of CBD on endometriosis. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Endometriosis Pain

Inhaling CBD using vape pens is the quickest way to benefit from the effects of cannabidiol⁽³¹⁾. 

However, vaping should be done with caution as this ingestion method may damage your lungs⁽³²⁾. 

Meanwhile, taking substances under the tongue also ensures prompt delivery of CBD into your system⁽³³⁾. 

Most CBD tinctures or CBD oil products may include a calibrated dropper which you can use to dispense the content straight into your mouth. Usually, cannabidiol’s onset is around 15 to 30 minutes via this method⁽³⁴⁾. 

For CBD topicals, the onset is also relatively quick (10 to 15 minutes), and the effects usually last from two to four hours⁽³⁵⁾. 

How Long Will CBD Help With Endometriosis Pain

Bioavailability is when a substance becomes entirely available to its intended biological destinations⁽³⁶⁾. 

A systematic review published in Frontiers Pharmacology determined that cannabidiol’s bioavailability after smoking is 31%⁽³⁷⁾. 

 The bioavailability is zero for the topical application since it does not allow the compound to enter the bloodstream⁽³⁸⁾.   

Meanwhile, CBD’s half-life is between 1.4 and 10.9 hours after an oromucosal spray, two to five days after chronic oral administration, and 24 hours after intravenous medications (administered through the veins)⁽³⁹⁾. 

A half-life means the estimated time it takes for a drug in your system to be reduced by 50%⁽⁴⁰⁾.

Risk and Side Effects of Using CBD for Endometriosis Pain 

Cannabidiol is relatively safe for use⁽⁴¹⁾. However, it may also have some side effects such as:

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue 

CBD Dosage

Most CBD brands may provide a recommended dosage for every CBD product they have.

Research from Current Drug Safety stated that humans may tolerate chronic use and high doses of CBD up to 1,500mg per day⁽⁴²⁾. 

Still, it is recommended that you speak with a physician before administering any CBD product to manage endometriosis pain. 

Taking CBD Oil for Endometriosis Pain 

CBD products are available in tinctures, vapes, edibles, and topicals, like balms and creams. 

When choosing the best CBD oil for endometriosis pain, below are a few things you need to consider:

1. Make sure to go for high-quality CBD products if you want to maximize the benefits of CBD. Always check the ingredients list and choose either full-spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolates. Remember that for a CBD product to be considered full-spectrum, its THC level must be less than 0.3%. Moreover, it must have all the extracts of cannabis plants. Meanwhile, CBD isolates are a pure form of cannabidiol⁽⁴³⁾.
2. Look for any disclaimers, certificates of analysis (CoAs), and lab test results.  

Legality of CBD 

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the commercial use of industrial hemp on a federal level in the U.S⁽⁴⁴⁾.

The bill noted that Cannabis sativa plants with not more than 0.3% THC are considered industrial hemp⁽⁴⁵⁾.