Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium), is found in places outside of the uterus, throughout the body. In New Zealand, it is estimated to affect 120,000+ girls, women & those assigned female at birth. Endometriosis can cause severe pelvic pain, inflammation, infertility and a plethora of other debilitating symptoms.
Although there is no cure, conventional treatment of symptoms often include hormonal therapies, pain medications, and surgery. However, emerging research suggests that medicinal cannabis may hold promise as an alternative or adjunctive therapy for managing endometriosis symptoms. Let’s have a look at these studies:
In 2019, an observational study investigated the effects of cannabis use on symptom management among 148 women with endometriosis. The participants reported using various forms of cannabis, including dried flower, oils, and edibles. The results showed that 71% of the women experienced significant pain reduction after using cannabis, and 51% reported improved sleep quality. Additionally, 57% reported reduced anxiety and depression symptoms.
In 2020 a review article was published which explored the interaction between cannabinoids and the immune system, highlighting their potential therapeutic benefits in inflammatory diseases, including endometriosis. The study discussed how cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), can modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation. Endometriosis involves an inflammatory process, and cannabinoids may help reduce the inflammation associated with the condition.
In the most recent study in 2021, the researchers conducted a study to assess the impact of medical cannabis on endometriosis-related pain among 127 women. The participants were prescribed medical cannabis, predominantly CBD-dominant strains, for three months. The study found a significant reduction in pain intensity scores throughout the treatment period. Moreover, the participants reported improvements in general well-being, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. The study concluded that medical cannabis may offer a valuable therapeutic option for managing endometriosis-related pain.
Managing endometriosis can be really challenging, and not all treatments work for everyone. Conventional treatments can leave some women choosing between severe pain or severe side effects from their prescribed treatment. The studies we looked at suggest that medicinal cannabis treatment might offer relief for some women with endometriosis. Keep in mind that more research is needed to fully understand how cannabis works for endometriosis and its long-term effects. But these studies give hope that cannabis could be a promising option for some women looking to manage their endometriosis symptoms.
Here at CannaPlus+ we are very much hoping to help more women with endometriosis experience the benefit of medicinal cannabis.
References:
Sullivan, M. et al. (2019). Cannabis Use for Endometriosis: An Observational Study.
Klein, J. (2020). Cannabinoids and the Immune System: Potential Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Diseases.
Gupta, R. et al. (2021). The Impact of Medical Cannabis on Endometriosis-Related Pain
