CBD Oil for Menopause - April 2024

Why Women Are Turning to CBD for Menopause

Menopause is when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops permanently. During the transitional period (perimenopause), women may experience menopausal symptoms, including sleep disturbances, mood changes, and hot flashes⁽⁶⁾. 

CBD or cannabidiol has purported anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and anti-inflammatory properties⁽⁷⁾. These therapeutic potentials may be the reason women are turning to CBD for menopause. 

A 2019 study from The Permanente Journal showed that out of 103 adult patients with anxiety and sleep problems, 48 reported improved sleep scores within the first month of CBD administration⁽⁸⁾. 

Furthermore, a study from The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry suggested that CBD may be a potential therapeutic agent for mood disorders⁽⁹⁾. 

Meanwhile, no specific scientific data says that CBD helps with hot flashes. However, CBD may help reduce inflammation⁽¹⁰⁾. 

Increased severity of hot flashes in early menopausal women seem to be associated with adverse changes in vascular inflammation⁽¹¹⁾. 

How CBD May Help With Menopause

CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid (phytocannabinoid) found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive chemical compound of cannabis, CBD does not cause a euphoric effect. 

Aside from CBD’s putative health benefits, the non-psychoactive compound’s activity in the ECS (endocannabinoid system) appears to be promising and may help elucidate how CBD works to help with menopause. 

The ECS is responsible for bodily homeostasis or balance. It comprises cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), endocannabinoids, and enzymes.

CBD and THC may interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors⁽¹²⁾. Both receptors are involved in various physiological processes, including pain-sensation, memory, mood, and appetite. 

Although CBD is believed to have a low affinity for both cannabinoid receptors, it may display surprisingly high potency as an antagonist of CB1 and CB2 receptor agonists⁽¹³⁾. 

An antagonist is a drug that blocks a biological response by binding to and blocking a particular receptor instead of activating it like an agonist. 

CB1 receptors are present within the pain pathways of the brain and the spinal cord (central nervous system), where they may affect CBD-induced analgesia (pain perception) and anxiolysis (anxiety relief)⁽¹⁴⁾. 

On the other hand, CB2 receptors, when activated, may stimulate a response that fights inflammation⁽¹⁵⁾.  

CBD may induce CB2 receptor inverse agonism, contributing to the compound’s purported anti-inflammatory properties⁽¹⁶⁾. This therapeutic potential may help with inflammation associated with menopause.

A study mentioned that menopause may contribute to increasing levels of neuroinflammation, which are deemed to cooperatively interact in the development of neuroinflammatory diseases⁽¹⁷⁾. 

Neuroinflammatory diseases are disorders in which inflammation affects the central nervous system. 

The Benefits of Using CBD for Menopause: Is There a Specific Menopause Symptoms CBD May Treat?

Hormone fluctuations, sleep disturbances caused by night sweats, and life stresses may cause menopausal women to feel emotionally distressed, resulting in mood swings or, worse, depression⁽¹⁸⁾. 

A 2020 study from the journal Biomolecules hypothesized that CBD may be a potential therapeutic agent to help with anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders⁽¹⁹⁾. 

Meanwhile, a research article from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism stated that bone loss speeds up in late perimenopause and continues at a similar pace during the first postmenopausal years⁽²⁰⁾. 

Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which bone density and bone mass decrease. For midlife women, the most important risk factor for osteoporosis is menopause⁽²¹⁾. 

Generally, individuals with osteoporosis are more susceptible to sudden fractures⁽²²⁾. Researchers from Tel Aviv University suggested that CBD may help heal bone fractures⁽²³⁾. 

Furthermore, during menopause, many women experience complex hormonal changes that can trigger the increased cardiovascular risk of higher cholesterol levels and blood pressure⁽²⁴⁾. 

A study from JCI Insight suggested that a single dose of CBD may reduce blood pressure⁽²⁵⁾. 

Although menopause does not cause cardiovascular disorder, it is recommended that women follow a healthy lifestyle and continue doing so at menopause to lower their risk for stroke and heart diseases⁽²⁶⁾. 

Additionally, some women may also experience menopause weight gain⁽²⁷⁾. Hence, a healthy diet and an active lifestyle are necessary for women’s health and overall wellness during the menopause transition. 

An animal study using a rat model suggested that CBD may decrease body weight gain, possibly via the CB2 receptor⁽²⁸⁾. 

Meanwhile, serotonin is essential for maintaining verbal information and identifying human emotions from facial expressions in postmenopausal women⁽²⁹⁾. 

A study examining serotonin and brain function stated that serotonin or 5-HT not only moderates anxiety and stress; it also promotes coping and patience⁽³⁰⁾. 

A study from Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience suggested that CBD may induce anti-anxiety and anti-epileptic effects via the activation of 5-HT1A receptors⁽³¹⁾, a subtype of the serotonin receptor. 

 A study showed that anxiety linked to sleep disruptions, muscle and joint pain, and hot flashes may impair the quality of life of postmenopausal women⁽³²⁾. 

Aside from its anti-anxiety potential, CBD also has purported analgesic, muscle relaxant, and anti-inflammatory properties⁽³³⁾. These putative therapeutic benefits of CBD may be promising in alleviating symptoms of menopause.

Additionally, cannabinoids like CBD and THC may have antiestrogenic effects⁽³⁴⁾. Antiestrogens are estrogen blockers that may stop some cancer cells from growing⁽³⁵⁾. 

Estrogen, also known as the female hormone, plays a crucial role in female sex characteristics, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy. 

A study from the Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice mentioned that the early onset of menstruation and late menopause lead to longer exposure to estrogen, which may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer⁽³⁶⁾. 

Since CBD may be a potential estrogen blocker, it is reasonable to assume that CBD oil may not raise estrogen levels. 

The studies mentioned seem promising. Still, they are inconclusive, and some are done on animals. Therefore, more longitudinal clinical trials are required to elucidate the effects of CBD on menopause.    

Pros and Cons of CBD Oil for Menopause

Taking CBD oil and other CBD products for menopause has benefits and drawbacks. 

The Pros 

• Sleeplessness is a common symptom of menopause⁽³⁷⁾. CBD may help improve sleep⁽³⁸⁾. 
• Sleeplessness during menopause is typically associated with hot flashes⁽³⁹⁾. Increased severity of hot flashes in early menopausal women seemed to be linked to adverse changes in vascular inflammation⁽⁴⁰⁾. CBD may help with inflammation⁽⁴¹⁾. 
• An article from Harvard Health Publishing mentioned that CBD may improve bone density by balancing hormonal changes during menopause⁽⁴²⁾. 
• Anxiety associated with sleep disruptions, muscle and joint pain, and hot flashes may impair the quality of life of postmenopausal women⁽⁴³⁾. CBD may have anti-anxiety effects⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

The Cons 

• The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not endorse CBD oil and other cannabis products as a supplement or treatment to help with symptoms of menopause. 
• The studies regarding the effects of CBD on menopause are inconclusive.
• Smoking can intensify the symptoms of menopause, including difficulty sleeping and hot flashes⁽⁴⁵⁾. Hence, smoking CBD using vape pens may worsen one’s condition. In addition, vaping may damage the lungs⁽⁴⁶⁾. 
• The legality of CBD is subject to local laws. 

How Does CBD Compare to Other Alternative Treatments?

Menopausal women may turn to natural remedies, aside from CBD, to help manage their symptoms. 

For instance, ginseng may help with menopause symptoms. Notably, the herbal supplement has shown promise in improving sexual arousal, reducing hot flashes, and managing depression⁽⁴⁷⁾. 

However, studies regarding the effectiveness of ginseng in managing menopause symptoms are limited. Hence, firm conclusions cannot be drawn. 

How to Take CBD Oil for Menopause

Methods to take CBD oil for menopause may include:

• Ingestion: Taking CBD edibles like gummies or capsules
• Inhalation:  Smoking CBD via vape pens
• Sublingual method: Holding CBD oil or tincture under the tongue
• Topical application: Applying CBD balms or creams to the skin for localized relief)   

The onset time of CBD may depend on the delivery method used, the user’s body weight, and CBD potency. 

For instance, topical CBD may take effect between 15 and 30 minutes after application⁽⁴⁸⁾. 

What Type of CBD Is Best for Menopause Symptoms?

The Frontiers in Plant Science study suggested that the entourage effect in full-spectrum hemp extracts may produce better therapeutic benefits than pure CBD⁽⁴⁹⁾, known as CBD isolates.

The entourage effect is a concept wherein the biologically active compounds of cannabis work better when administered together than individually.

Full-spectrum CBD oils contain all compounds of the cannabis plants, including less than 0.3% THC concentrations. However, unlike full-spectrum CBD oil, the broad-spectrum CBD variant is THC-free.

Since full-spectrum CBD products utilize the entourage effect, women who want to manage their menopause symptoms may get the full benefits of CBD oil if they choose the full-spectrum variant.

CBD Dosage for Menopause

There is no standard CBD dosage for menopause. However, most CBD brands provide a recommended dose for every product they have. 

Meanwhile, mid-range doses between 10mg and 100mg of CBD per day may help with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression⁽⁵⁰⁾. 

Anxiety and depression may be associated with menopause⁽⁵¹⁾. 

Still, it is best to talk with a healthcare professional versed in cannabis use to determine how much CBD is needed to help with menopause. 

Safety and Risks of CBD Oil for Menopause: Is CBD Safe for Menopause?

CBD is generally safe⁽⁵²⁾. Still, the FDA believes that additional work is warranted to build scientific data on CBD usage and safety⁽⁵³⁾. 

Furthermore, the agency warns the public regarding the possible side effects individuals may encounter when using CBD. These side effects include⁽⁵⁴⁾: 

• Changes in alertness
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Changes in mood 

Most women may experience mood changes throughout the menopausal transition⁽⁵⁵⁾. Since CBD may affect one’s mood, the compound may increase the moodiness of some women. 

Legality of CBD

Rules and regulations regarding CBD and medicinal cannabis vary from state to state.  

For instance, Colorado permits recreational and medical marijuana use. The local government decriminalized the use of marijuana by passing Amendment 64 to the Colorado Constitution in November 2012⁽⁵⁶⁾.

Meanwhile, in New York, adults 21 years and older can buy up to three ounces or 85g of cannabis flowers and 24g of concentrated cannabis only from a state-licensed dispensary⁽⁵⁷⁾.

What Is CBD?

CBD is a component of medical marijuana⁽⁵⁸⁾. However, CBD does not induce a euphoric high, unlike THC.

CBD has purported therapeutic effects, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and muscle relaxant properties⁽⁵⁹⁾.

Because of CBD’s medical potential and non-psychoactivity, the compound has shown promise as a pharmaceutical and therapeutic drug target⁽⁶⁰⁾.  

How Does Menopause Affect Women?

Menopause is when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops permanently. The menopausal transition affects every woman in various ways.

During the transition, a woman’s body uses energy differently. Hence, some may gain weight more quickly than others, while a few may experience changes in heart and bone health, body composition, and physical function⁽⁶¹⁾. 

Menopausal Symptoms and Causes 

Menopause can result from naturally declining hormones, a surgery that removes the ovaries, and chemotherapy⁽⁶²⁾. 

A woman may be transitioning into menopause if she begins to experience some or all of the following symptoms⁽⁶³⁾: 

• Hot flashes or a sudden rise of body temperature 
• Vaginal dryness
• Emotional changes
• Night sweats or cold flashes 
• Dry mouth, dry skin, or dry eyes 
• Difficulty sleeping
• Urinary urgency 

Other Ways of Treating Menopause Symptoms

Doctors can prescribe hormone replacement therapy or medications to replace estrogen and progesterone in the body during menopause⁽⁶⁴⁾. 

Women who experience moderate to severe hot flashes may benefit from hormone therapy if they have other symptoms like vaginal dryness, burning, itching, and discomfort during intercourse⁽⁶⁵⁾. 

Women may also try alternative methods like acupuncture. Acupuncture is an alternative Chinese medicine in which thin metallic needles are inserted through the skin at strategic points on one’s body.

A study suggested that acupuncture treatment may help alleviate vasomotor symptoms, including night sweats and hot flashes⁽⁶⁶⁾. 

Still, it is best to talk with a doctor to determine the appropriate treatment to help with symptoms associated with menopause. 

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1. Depression, Mood Swings, Anxiety
   https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/depression-mood-swings-anxiety
2. Cannabidiol: A Potential New Alternative for the Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Psychotic Disorders
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3. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
4. Increased Vascular Inflammation in Early Menopausal Women Is Associated With Hot Flush Severity
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22399517/
5. Cannabidiol
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6. Menopause
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7. Cannabidiol
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8. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series
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9. Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Mood Disorders: A Systematic Review: Le cannabidiol comme traitement des troubles de l’humeur: une revue systématique
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10. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
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11. Increased vascular inflammation in early menopausal women is associated with hot flush severity
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12. Cannabidiol
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13. Cannabidiol Displays Unexpectedly High Potency as an Antagonist of CB1 and CB2 Receptor Agonists In Vitro
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14. Cannabidiol
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15. The CB2 Receptor and Its Role as a Regulator of Inflammation
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16. Cannabidiol Displays Unexpectedly High Potency as an Antagonist of CB1 and CB2 Receptor Agonists In Vitro
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17. Menopause, Obesity, and Inflammation: Interactive Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease
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18. Depression, Mood Swings, Anxiety
    https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/depression-mood-swings-anxiety
19. Cannabidiol: A Potential New Alternative for the Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Psychotic Disorders
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20. Bone Mineral Density Changes During the Menopause Transition in a Multiethnic Cohort of Women
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21. Ibid.
22. Osteoporosis
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4443-osteoporosis
23. No Bones About It: Cannabis May Be Used to Treat Fractures
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24. Menopause and the Cardiovascular System
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/menopause-and-the-cardiovascular-system
25. A Single Dose of Cannabidiol Reduces Blood Pressure in Healthy Volunteers in a Randomized Crossover Study
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26. Menopause and Heart Disease
    https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/menopause-and-heart-disease
27. Menopause Weight Gain: Stop the Middle Age Spread
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menopause-weight-gain/art-20046058
28. Cannabidiol Decreases Body Weight Gain in Rats: Involvement of CB2 Receptors
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29. Interactive Effects of Estrogen and Serotonin On Brain Activation During Working Memory and Affective Processing in Menopausal Women
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30. Serotonin and Brain Function: A Tale of Two Receptors
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31. Cannabidiol Acts at 5-HT1A Receptors in the Human Brain: Relevance for Treating Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.611278/full
32. Anxiety Impairing Quality of Life for Postmenopausal Women, New Study Shows
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33. Cannabidiol
    https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cannabidiol
34. Antiestrogenic Effects of Marijuana Smoke Condensate and Cannabinoid Compounds
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16392670/
35. Antiestrogen
    https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/antiestrogen
36. A Comparative Study of Pre- and Post-menopausal Breast Cancer: Risk Factors, Presentation, Characteristics, and Management
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4078652/
37. How Does Menopause Affect My Sleep?
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/how-does-menopause-affect-my-sleep
38. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
39. How Does Menopause Affect My Sleep?
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/how-does-menopause-affect-my-sleep
40. Increased Vascular Inflammation in Early Menopausal Women Is Associated With Hot Flush Severity
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22399517/
41. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
42. Why Are Women Using CBD Products — And Do They Work?
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-are-women-using-cbd-products-and-do-they-work-2019111818317
43. Anxiety Impairing Quality of Life for Postmenopausal Women, New Study Shows
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170125120749.htm
44. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
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45. One More Reason Not to Smoke: Early Menopause
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46. Is It Safe to Vape CBD?
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47. Ginseng for Managing Menopause Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
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48. Healing With CBD, page 193.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
49. The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain
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50. CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis, page. 129.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MILU_6ZjYkII-XMUPHLFPiPQbrz__5Sh/view
51. Depression, Mood Swings, Anxiety
    https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/depression-mood-swings-anxiety
52. An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
53. Better Data for a Better Understanding of the Use and Safety Profile of Cannabidiol (CBD) Products
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54. What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD
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55. Perimenopause
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56. Legal Marijuana Use in Colorado
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57. Social Equity and Responsible Access to Adult-Use Cannabis for New Yorkers Ages 21 and Over
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58. Cannabidiol (CBD)-What We Know and What We Don’t
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59. Cannabidiol
    https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cannabidiol
60. Ibid.
61. What Is Menopause?
    https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-menopause#transition
62. Menopause
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397
63. Menopause
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21841-menopause
64. Hormone therapy: Is it right for you?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372
65. Ibid
66. Acupuncture in Menopause (AIM) Study: a Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled Trial
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4874921/

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