Ting, ting, ting! It’s that time of the month. While Aunt Flo has come (uninvited) to ruin your weekend plans, it has brought another unwanted guest: period cramps! We know it sucks.

There is no fixed set of menstrual symptoms that affect women. Just like your period cycle is different from that of your friend, the pain symptoms also vary. For some women, the pain could be debilitating, while others don’t feel a thing. It could be a mild nuisance that lasts a few hours to a fully-fledged condition that leaves you bed-ridden for a day or two.

Can medical marijuana help with the condition? Let’s find out:

What Causes Menstrual Cramps?

Women feel menstrual cramps due to the contractions in the pelvic region that begin during the onset of the period cycle. This is because chemicals called prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract and shed the uterine lining. The cramping pain usually initiates in the lower abdomen and often radiates down to the lower back and the inner thigh area. The pain can be poking, sharp, stabbing, or dull. The cramps could also be accompanied by nausea, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and loose stools.

Medical Marijuana as a Pain Reliever

Pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek medical treatment. From headache to childbirth, pain greatly varies in intensity. Medical marijuana has long been a clinically-proven alternative to opioids and has been beneficial for pain management, especially for menstrual pain.

A woman lying in bed with pain during her periods.

 

Medical marijuana addresses all sorts of pain by blocking the peripheral nerves that detect pain sensation in the human body. These peripheral nerves contain a large number of CBD receptors that allow cannabinoids to adhere to them and block out the pain. When combined with certain opioids, medical marijuana can bring about significant pain relief. The same source also suggests that the use of medical marijuana doesn’t result in side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or a decrease in appetite.

Medical Marijuana for Period Cramps

Medical marijuana has had a long history of use in the field of gynecology. Conventional pain-killers and anti-inflammatory drugs help with menstrual cramps by blocking the production of prostaglandins. CBD takes a different approach. Other than blocking the peripheral nerves and reducing inflammation in the joints, it also stimulates the release of the feel-good hormone called dopamine. This hormonal effect minimizes the perception of pain to a certain extent.

The exact strain of medical marijuana that you need depends on your tolerance level, pain symptoms, and other preferences. IndicaMD will get you in touch with some of the best medical marijuana doctors in California to help you with a prescription. Get started to get your Medical Cannabis Card in Manhattan.