5 Ways CBD Oil Could Ease Premenstrual Pain for Women

Being a woman is hard, but it is especially hard if you're on your period.  Mood swings, inflammation, menstrual cramps, and pain are common ailments women suffer each month. To make matters worse, coping with the symptoms is really hard, so no matter how many TV flicks you watch or how much green tea you drink the pain doesn't go away for long.

The good news is that studies done on cannabidiol (CBD) oil show that it feeds the endocannabinoid system, which in turn could help to ease some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Keep reading below to find out how CBD oil could help offset PMS pain.

1. Inflammation

Studies suggest that acute inflammation could be behind the painful cramps and bloating that characterize PMS. Cannabinoids like CBD could help trigger an anti-inflammatory response in the body's endocannabinoid receptors, potentially helping to reduce abdominal cramps, back pain, joint pain, and other ailments produced by PMS-related inflammation.

Although all women experience some amount of pain during their period cycle, those suffering from endometriosis could benefit the most, as this inflammatory condition is known to cause an unusually-strong pain in the pelvic area.

2. Anxiety and depression

Women on their period are known to be under incredible levels of stress. And it's not just about the pain — although it does play a large role — since PMS is accompanied by a cocktail of negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability, and — in more severe cases — menstrual psychosis.

CBD oil could help stabilize women's emotional state during their PMS cycle, as many users and researchers suggest that cannabidiol could have a calming effect on the mind.

3. Pain

Although PMS causes inflammation, which in turn causes pain, this wouldn't be so much of an issue if it didn't also cause the body to release prostaglandins and other inflammatory hormones which markedly increase pain sensitivity.

Cannabidiol could help fight back by targeting the TRPV1 and CB1 receptors, and interrupting their ability to receive and relay pain signals to the nervous system.

4. Muscle cramps

Menstrual cramps are caused when the smooth muscle lining around the uterus contracts to help period blood flow out of the vagina. However, although necessary, cramps are very painful and uncomfortable.

Research suggests that cannabinoids like CBD could aid muscle relaxation by reducing the flow of the nerve impulses which causes muscles to contract. Furthermore, in addition to interfering with the contraction signals, CBD oil could also help ease off muscle spasticity around the muscles that surround the uterus and pelvic area.

5. Vascular constriction

Blood vessels don't just float in the air but are actually covered by smooth muscle tissue. When these muscles contract, due to the effects of PMS, blood circulation is reduced and the already painful cramps can worsen due to the lack of oxygen in the tissues.

CBD oil could help improve blood flow by reducing the pressure that the constricted muscles put on the blood vessels.

Although the current research on CBD oil isn't focused on PMS, there is a good amount of anecdotal and scientific evidence to suggest its use could help ameliorate pain, mood swings, inflammation and other symptoms of PMS. Add that to its low-risk and I think you'd agree that CBD oil is certainly worth a try!

References

• Highland Pharms (2018, June 22) CBD for Menstrual Cramps: Could it Bring Relief?
• Kali Periodical (2018, July 20) Benefits of CBD Oil on Your Period
• Foria Wellness (2018, September 13) Cannabinoids & Your Period
• Moody Month (2019, February 28) Can CBD oil help with PMS?
• Remedy Review (2019, February 18) Can CBD Help Reduce Period Pain and Menstrual Cramps