CBD and Menopause
CBD’s benefits have nearly become common knowledge in recent years, as interest in non-traditional medicine has grown.
Many health conditions can be treated with prescription medication, but people are increasingly turning to natural remedies such as CBD because they pose less risk, both long and short term, and may have fewer side effects than conventional medication.
CBD is widely used to treat anxiety, muscle pain, and inflammation, among other things.
However, there are some less well-known applications for CBD. One of these applications is to alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause. Everything you need to know about CBD oil for menopause is provided below.
What exactly is menopause?
Menopause is the time when your menstrual cycles come to an end. It is usually diagnosed after you have gone 12 months without having your period. Menopause can occur at any age; however, it is most common between the ages of 40 and 50, with an average age of 51.
Although menopause is a natural biological process, it is accompanied by a number of annoying physical symptoms, such as hot flashes. It can also cause emotional symptoms that disrupt your sleep, deplete your energy, and negatively impact your emotional well-being.
There are numerous effective treatments available to help with menopausal symptoms. They include lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, and more natural alternatives such as CBD.
What are the signs of menopause?
You may experience a variety of symptoms in the months and years leading up to menopause, including irregular periods, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, chills, night sweats, sleep issues, mood changes, weight gain and slowed metabolism, thinning hair, drier skin, and loss of breast fullness.
Many menopausal symptoms are very common in most people, but they can naturally vary depending on the individual. Many people experience some irregularity in their period before it completely stops. It is normal for your period to begin skipping before the onset of menopause.
Menstrual periods can often skip a month or several months before returning for a month or more before menopause. During perimenopause, and if your periods continue to be irregular, they tend to be closer together or on shorter cycles.
Even if your periods are irregular, pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause. As a result, if you have missed a period but are unsure whether you have entered menopause, it is recommended that you take a pregnancy test just to be sure.
Is CBD useful for menopausal symptoms?
Before we get into how CBD can help with menopause symptoms, it’s important to understand how CBD works. CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid that works with your endocannabinoid system (ECS for short). The ECS is made up of cell receptors distributed throughout the body that aid in homeostasis. The receptors respond to both endocannabinoids produced by your body and external cannabinoids such as those found in cannabis. The cannabis plant contains 113 cannabinoids that have been identified. CBD is one of the most popular of the 113 cannabinoids. CBD, when extracted from hemp flowers, has a wide range of potential health benefits without the “high” associated with THC. This is due to the fact that CBD derived from hemp contains only trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%).
CBD has been shown to increase the levels of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, which can help with moodiness, anxiety, and sleep problems. CBD can also help with hot flashes. This is because one of the most common causes of hot flashes is stress, which can be alleviated with CBD.
Is CBD beneficial for hormonal balance?
CBD can aid in hormone balance. It has the ability to regulate stress-related hormones such as oestrogen and cortisol, as well as the sleep hormone melatonin.
Understanding the relationship between CBD and oestrogen is especially beneficial. Estrogen is an important hormone for the ECS because it regulates
the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase, or FAAH, which breaks down certain endocannabinoids.
This means that if your oestrogen levels are lower or more fluctuating than usual, it can negatively impact your ECS, explaining some of the symptoms associated with menopause such as anxiety, mood swings, and poor sleep.
As a result, it stands to reason that CBD could potentially help the body when oestrogen is scarce.
CBD may also be used to treat anxiety disorders. CBD is thought to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors found in the central and peripheral nervous systems, respectively.
CBD alters serotonin levels in the brain when it interacts with CB1 receptors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is essential for your mental health. Low serotonin levels are commonly associated with depression and, on occasion, anxiety.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) such as sertraline and fluoxetine are commonly used to treat low serotonin levels (Zoloft and Prozac, respectively). Some people, on the other hand, prefer a more natural approach and use CBD to help manage their condition.
CBD can also aid in the treatment of some sleep disorders, whether the problem is falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Sleep problems are very common in menopausal women.
Although THC is more effective at assisting people in falling asleep, CBD can certainly assist those who experience restlessness at night and are unable to sleep. CBD has been shown to help with sleep disorders such as insomnia, REM sleep behaviour disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Guide to CBD Usage for Menopausal Relief
When it comes to CBD, one of the things to consider is which CBD product and method of delivery is best for you. There is, for example, topical CBD in the form of creams or salves that can help those suffering from inflammation or localised pain. Topically applied CBD, on the other hand, is less likely to reach your bloodstream and thus is not likely to be the best option for addressing issues such as anxiety or insomnia. CBD oil is the most effective treatment for symptoms like these. CBD oil can be taken in a variety of ways, but the most effective is to take it sublingually. This entails placing a dropper or two under the tongue and waiting 30-60 seconds for it to be absorbed
before swallowing.
The dosage will vary depending on the severity of the problem, but it is recommended that you begin with a lower dosage and gradually increase it if necessary. To get you started, here’s a handy dosing chart and calculator.
Exploring the Superiority of CBD over Traditional Treatments
CBD has numerous advantages, and research continues to demonstrate how CBD can improve your quality of life. Unlike over-the-counter medication, which only addresses specific issues and may have a number of side effects, CBD can help address underlying issues due to the way it interacts with the ECS and cannabinoid receptors throughout the body. That is, if your primary issue is sleep, CBD can help with mood-related issues such as low serotonin and anxiety spikes at the same time.
Summary on How CBD and Menopause Work Together
Although CBD can help with many of the symptoms of menopause, it is important to note that researchers are still learning about how cannabis works in the body. Although clinical trials are still being conducted to determine the specific way in which CBD affects menopause, anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD can help address many symptoms experienced by menopausal women. In any case, while preliminary studies appear promising, it is critical to consult with your doctor before embarking on any new treatment plan
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