• Studies show that CBD may have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties(1-2), making it a potential remedy for endometriosis symptoms. Endometriosis, a painful inflammatory condition, may lead to infertility(3). 
  • Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in male infertility(4). CBD may help modulate oxidative stress by protecting lipids and proteins against oxidative damage(5). 
  • Research on the effects of cannabis smoking show that smoking marijuana may affect sperm concentration, semen quality, and serum testosterone levels(6). 
  • Most studies about CBD and fertility are done on animals. More longitudinal studies involving humans are needed for the results to be conclusive.

See the Best CBD Oil for Fertility in 2022

How CBD Oil Works to Help with Reproductive Issues

CBD (cannabidiol) is an essential component of medical cannabis. However, most CBD products contain CBD derived from the hemp plant(7). 

CBD, a phytocannabinoid (plant-based cannabinoid), interacts with the ECS or endocannabinoid system(8). The ECS, with the help of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors, may affect fertility and reproduction(9).   

CBD, Endocannabinoids, and Fertility

The ECS consists of natural components, including endocannabinoids, enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors, known as CB1 and CB2 receptors(10).

CB1 plays a prominent role in pain sensation. Meanwhile, CB2 stimulates a response that fights inflammation(11). 

Phytocannabinoids like CBD and THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) bind with cannabinoid receptors(12). 

Research from the British Journal of Pharmacology suggested that CBD may modulate the cannabinoid receptors, thereby helping the body maintain stability(13). 

The cannabinoid receptors are also found in the female reproductive system(14). 

A systematic review from the Journal of Ovarian Research suggested that the ECS may boost ovarian function and follicle maturation (growth)(15).

A follicle is a fluid-filled sac in the ovaries that holds a developing egg. 

Anandamide is an endocannabinoid in the human body(16). Evidence suggests that anandamide is produced in the ovary and plays a role in preovulatory follicle maturation(17). 

While CBD does not activate cannabinoid receptors, the compound may moderately inhibit the degradation of anandamide(18). 

Is There Evidence That Suggests CBD Boosts Fertility?

There is no specific evidence that suggests CBD boosts male and female fertility. However, CBD is known for its pain-relieving properties(19) and anti-inflammatory effects(20). These properties may be beneficial to individuals with fertility issues. 

Ovulation pain may lead to severe conditions like endometriosis(21). Endometriosis, a painful inflammatory disease, affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The condition may also lead to infertility(22). 

A study from Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity indicated the impact of oxidative stress, defined as a disproportion between antioxidants and reactive oxygen species, on endometriosis(23). 

Oxidative stress or OS also plays a substantial role in male infertility. High levels of OS can inflict damage on sperm DNA(24). 

Studies suggest that CBD may reduce oxidative stress(25). The compound may help modulate the level of OS by protecting the lipids and proteins against oxidative damage(26).

Is There Evidence That Suggests CBD Limits Fertility?

CBD and Male Fertility

A literature review published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology using murine models suggested that chronic doses of cannabidiol may cause impaired sexual behavior in mice(27).

The results suggest that CBD may have negative effects on the reproductive system of males.

Another study suggested that chronic exposure to cannabinoids in male rodents may lower sperm count(28).

In addition, a study posted in PubMed suggested that cannabinoids like CBD and THC may affect sperm morphology (size and shape of sperm)(29).

Meanwhile, studies show that smoking marijuana may impact semen quality, sperm concentration, and serum testosterone levels(30).  

The Effect of Mothers’ Exposure to Cannabinoids 

An animal study from the International Journal of Andrology indicated that maternal cannabinoid exposure influenced spermatogenesis (sperm cell development) and fertility in male offspring(31).   

The results suggested that perinatal exposure to non-psychoactive and psychoactive components of marijuana may produce long-term disruption of testicular function(32).  

Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health warns couples that using cannabis while trying to conceive may reduce pregnancy chances(33).   

The Pros and Cons of CBD Oil for Fertility

The Pros 

  • Ovulation pain may lead to a more severe condition like endometriosis, an inflammatory condition affecting the fallopian tubes and ovaries(34). Endometriosis causes pain and infertility(35). 

    Meanwhile, CBD has pain-relieving properties(36). It also has anti-inflammatory effects(37). Hence, CBD may help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation caused by endometriosis. 

  • CBD has a good safety profile(38). According to the WHO (World Health Organization), CBD has no potential for dependence or abuse. 
  • CBD interacts with the ECS(39). With the help of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoid system may impact reproduction and fertility(40). 

The Cons 

  • There is limited scientific data regarding CBD’s ability to improve pregnancy rates and its effect on the male reproductive system.

    Studies are also limited regarding CBD’s effect on the female reproductive tract and ovulation. Furthermore, most of the research available is done on animals. 

  • The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) warns people about CBD use during pregnancy or breastfeeding(41). CBD may be transferred to infants via breast milk(42).
  • Cannabidiol may trigger minor side effects, such as diarrhea and reduced appetite(43).   

CBD Dosage for Fertility

The FDA does not recognize cannabidiol as a medical treatment for fertility issues. Therefore, there is no standard CBD dosage for fertility.

The only approved CBD medication is Epidiolex. The drug is an oral solution used for seizures associated with rare and severe forms of childhood epilepsy(44). 

Still, the general rule is to start low and go slow when taking CBD. For instance, a hemp-derived product with negligible THC content or a cannabis product with a CBD to THC ratio of 20:1 or higher may be taken as little as 10mg per day(45).

How much CBD to take depends on some variables, such as an individual’s endocannabinoid system and the reason for taking CBD(46). Body weight may also be a factor. 

Hence, it is best to ask a healthcare provider for medical advice regarding the use of CBD for fertility and overall reproductive health. 

As much as possible, individuals should consult physicians with expertise in cannabis use. 

What Are the Different Forms of CBD?

CBD products are available in various forms and concentrations, including: 

  • CBD edibles like CBD gummies
  • CBD Oils and tinctures
  • CBD topicals like creams, lotions, and salves
  • CBD vape products 

How to Take CBD Oil for Reproductive Issues

Inhaling CBD using vape pens is the fastest way to benefit from the effects of cannabidiol(47). 

Users who smoke or vape the non-psychoactive compound may feel its effects between 2 to 15 minutes. Usually, the effects of CBD may last from two to four hours(48). 

However, individuals who choose to vape CBD must be extra careful. Vaping has the potential to cause damage to the lungs(49). 

Another way to ensure prompt delivery of CBD into one’s system is through the sublingual route (taking substances under the tongue)(50). 

How CBD Oil Compares to Alternative Treatments for Fertility Issues

Acupuncture is a Chinese alternative medicine in which thin metallic needles are inserted through the skin at strategic points on one’s body. 

A 2018 study from Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences hypothesized that acupuncture may help with infertility in both men and women(51). 

The researchers believe that acupuncture helps by improving sperm quality and ovarian function and balancing hormones and the endocrine system.   

Another alternative fertility treatment is the chasteberry plant(52). Chasterry has been used to treat numerous hormone-related gynecologic conditions(53). 

The results of a small randomized controlled trial involving 96 women with fertility disorders suggested that patients who received chasteberry achieved pregnancy more readily compared to women in the placebo group(54).  

The alternative fertility treatments mentioned have no guaranteed effect on the fertility rate. Therefore, longitudinal research is warranted to prove their efficacy. 

Meanwhile, medicines, surgical procedures, and assisted conception, such as IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and IUI (intrauterine insemination), are also used to boost fertility(55).    

IVF is a type of procedure where a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm cells are joined in a laboratory dish(56). Meanwhile, IUI is a form of artificial insemination to treat infertility(57). 

What Is CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant that holds more than 80 biologically active compounds(58). 

THC produces the euphoric high linked with marijuana use. Marijuana or cannabis is a type of cannabis plant that contains numerous naturally occurring chemical compounds, including THC and CBD(59).

Why Do People Use CBD?

People use CBD for various reasons. Some anecdotal reports regarding CBD’s effect on wellness and overall health are shared on social media platforms. 

Some articles about CBD’s purported health benefits are posted on personal blogs and commercial websites. Studies suggest that CBD may help with anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, addiction, and chronic pain(60). 

A review from Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research gathered anecdotal reports of the use of CBD retrieved on the Internet(61). 

Most selected websites claim various benefits of using CBD to treat viral diseases like colds and flu(62).

What Are the Potential Side Effects and Risks of CBD Use? 

CBD is well tolerated with a good safety profile(63). Still, CBD carries some risks and minor side effects, including(64): 

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

The Legality of CBD 

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp, including CBD products, from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act or CSA(65). 

  1. Research Shows Pain-Relieving Effects of CBD
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210423130221.htm
  2. Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  3. Endometriosis and Infertility: A Review of the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Endometriosis-Associated Infertility
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538128/
  4. Role of Oxidative Stress in Male Infertility: An Updated Review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6472207/
  5. Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  6. Marijuana Smoking and Markers of Testicular Function Among Men From a Fertility Centre
    https://academic.oup.com/DocumentLibrary/humrep/PR_Papers/dez002.pdf
  7. Cannabidiol (CBD)-What We Know and What We Don’t
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
  8. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator
    https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator
  9. Healing With CBD, page 70.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  10. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator
    https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator
  11. Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
  12. Cannabinoids and Cannabinoid Receptors: The Story So Far
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7339067/
  13. Are Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin Negative Modulators of the Endocannabinoid System? A Systematic Review
    https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.12944
  14. The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Female Reproductive Tissues
    https://ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13048-018-0478-9
  15. Ibid.
  16. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator
    https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator
  17. Localisation and Function of the Endocannabinoid System in the Human Ovary
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19238202/
  18. Cannabidiol Enhances Anandamide Signaling and Alleviates Psychotic Symptoms of Schizophrenia
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3316151/
  19. Research Shows Pain-Relieving Effects of CBD
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210423130221.htm
  20. Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  21. Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz)
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9134-ovulation-pain-mittelschmerz
  22. Endometriosis and Infertility: A Review of the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Endometriosis-Associated Infertility
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538128/
  23. Oxidative Stress and Endometriosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5625949/
  24. Role of Oxidative Stress in Male Infertility: An Updated Review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6472207/
  25. From Cannabis sativa to Cannabidiol: Promising Therapeutic Candidate for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.00124/full
  26. Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  27. The Effects of Cannabidiol on Male Reproductive System: A Literature Review
    https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jat.3831
  28. The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Female Reproductive Tissues
    https://ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13048-018-0478-9
  29. Effects of Cannabinoids on Sperm Morphology
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/450964/
  30. Marijuana Smoking and Markers of Testicular Function Among Men From a Fertility Centre
    https://academic.oup.com/DocumentLibrary/humrep/PR_Papers/dez002.pdf
  31. Maternal Cannabinoid Exposure. Effects on Spermatogenesis in Male Offspring
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3026968/
  32. Ibid.
  33. NIH Study Suggests Using Cannabis While Trying to Conceive May Reduce Pregnancy Chances
    https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-suggests-using-cannabis-while-trying-conceive-may-reduce-pregnancy-chances
  34. Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz)
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9134-ovulation-pain-mittelschmerz
  35. Endometriosis and Infertility
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941592/
  36. Research Shows Pain-Relieving Effects of CBD
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210423130221.htm
  37. Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  38. Cannabidiol (CBD)
    https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf
  39. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator
    https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator
  40. Healing With CBD, page 70.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  41. What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding
    https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-should-know-about-using-cannabis-including-cbd-when-pregnant-or-breastfeeding
  42. Ibid.
  43. What Are the Benefits of CBD — And Is It Safe to Use?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700
  44. FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived From Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy
    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
  45. Healing With CBD, page 218.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  46. Healing With CBD, page 214.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  47. How to Safely Use CBD: Should You Inhale, Spray, Apply, or Eat It?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/how-to-use-cbd-inhale-spray-apply-eat/
  48. Healing With CBD, page 190.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  49. Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated With the Use of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Products
    https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
  50. How to Safely Use CBD: Should You Inhale, Spray, Apply, or Eat It?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/how-to-use-cbd-inhale-spray-apply-eat/
  51. Acupuncture Treatment for Fertility
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6182526/
  52. Chasteberry
    https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0901/p821.html
  53. Ibid.
  54. Ibid.
  55. Infertility Treatment
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/treatment/
  56. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
    https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007279.htm
  57. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/intrauterine-insemination/about/pac-20384722
  58. What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD
    https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
  59. Ibid.
  60. Cannabidiol (CBD)-What We Know and What We Don’t
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
  61. Cannabidiol for Viral Diseases: Hype or Hope?
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7347053/
  62. Ibid.
  63. Cannabidiol (CBD)
    https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf
  64. What Are the Benefits of CBD — And Is It Safe to Use?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700
  65. Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill
    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
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Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Kimberly Langdon, MD

 Written by  Stanley Clark

Kimberly Langdon, MD is a retired, board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist with 19-years of clinical experience. She graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, earning Honors in many rotations. She then completed her OB/GYN residency program at The Ohio State University...

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