Ever since, and even before Canada legalized marijuana, Canadians have used it to manage a wide range of health concerns. Now, more women are turning to CBD to treat these conditions. CBD has many potential benefits for women, some of which are uniquely and solely attributed to the female persuasion.
While both men and women alike use CBD, recent surveys have shown that women are more likely to use CBD, and get greater relief from it.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that comes from the hemp plant, and won’t cause a high, unlike THC. Here in Canada, CBD is available for purchase in a number of different forms, including CBD oils, CBD topicals, CBD capsules, and CBD beauty products.
More women are using CBD oil in Canada than ever, and for good reasons.
Why are women using CBD?
Women are unique. Their bodies are specifically designed to bear children, and with that comes a whole host of different issues that they have to deal with separate from males.
Research has shown that CBD may help a wide range of health disorders that women suffer from on a higher percentage than men, including PMS, auto-immune disorders, anxiety, depression, mood stabilization, chronic pain, even certain types of cancer.
Studies show that CBD can potentially help to relieve symptoms of certain health disorders that impact women at a far greater rate than men, including osteoporosis and auto-immune issues.
One big factor that plays into a lot of the symptoms and disorders here is inflammation. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties seem to be the driving force behind the relief that women see from CBD; more research in this area is needed, however.
Potential health benefits of CBD for women
PMS
Women suffer from PMS for a lengthy portion of their lives until they hit menopause, bringing forth another whole set of issues. Mood swings, painful menstrual cramps, migraines, and insomnia plague many PMS sufferers; research has shown that CBD may be able to combat some of these symptoms, which can be debilitating for some women.
Menopause
Menopause in women occurs as the female reproductive system starts to wind down, and estrogen levels decrease; this typically begins between age 45-55. As a result of this, women suffer from hot flashes, hormone imbalance, mood swings, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. Studies show that women using CBD may be able to get relief from some, if not all, of these issues.
Hormones
Hormones dictate a lot of what goes on in our bodies at any given time. They affect our mood, metabolism, growth, and reproductive systems. Hormone imbalance can occur due to toxins or an unhealthy lifestyle but is commonly related to PMS, menopause, and puberty.
Research shows that CBD may impact women’s hormones and help to regulate them, by interacting with the Endocannabinoid System and hypothyroid-pituitary-gonadotropin axis (HPG axis), which contains a large number of CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Breast cancer
Numerous studies have been published showing cannabinoids’ ability to slow tumour growth and fight cancer cells. Both cervical and breast cancer is a concern for many women, and the early findings from research on CBD are very promising in this regard.
This 2019 study shows cannabinoids may be able to able to reduce inflammation, inhibit tumour cell growth, induce apoptosis, and cause autophagy in breast cancer cells.
Another 2019 study shows that CBD caused a decrease in cell proliferation, while also inducing cell death in some lines of cervical cancer.
Anxiety and stress relief
Women on average suffer from anxiety at a rate almost twice that of men. CBD may potentially help reduce a number of forms of anxiety; generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and social anxiety disorder. It may also help to relieve stress by lowering the amount of cortisol in the body.
Auto-immune diseases
Auto-immune disorders affect millions of people every year, but 75% of these are women on average. These types of disorders can cause a wide range of symptoms, including severe inflammation and pain. Research has shown that CBD may be able to significantly reduce inflammation while also providing moderate pain relief.
Bone health
Women start losing bone mass both earlier and at a faster rate than men. They also develop osteoporosis at a rate of four times higher; this can have a significant impact on the quality of life in older women. Studies show that CBD may be able to help heal bones faster while increasing bone density and preventing bone mineral loss.
Skin care
CBD beauty products have become more and more popular with women. CBD has anti-aging, antibacterial and antioxidant properties that may help to reduce the signs of aging. It may also improve the skin’s overall healthy look by reducing the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, redness, and inflammation.
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Women, on average, tend to be affected more than men when it comes to digestion issues. Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects over 20% of women annually; symptoms include painful cramping, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. Studies show that CBD may help to relieve these symptoms by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract.
Sex life
Several collected studies show that CBD may enhance the sexual functions in women; These include increased libido, lubrication, and decreased inhibition during sex. However, as many of these studies were done with animals, more research is needed in this area.
Final thoughts on the benefits of CBD for women
While we still need more studies done in this area, the research we have now behind the potential benefits of CBD for women is solid.
CBD isn’t considered to be a cure-all by any means, but the research suggests that women may be able to find relief from many issues, including anxiety, hormonal imbalance, and PMS.
There are many different CBD products in Canada that you can consider using, but as with any supplement, it’s important to do your research and talk with a doctor before deciding if CBD oil is the right course of action for you.
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