CBD and PMS Pain
Okay guys, this may not be the article for you, as we are going to touch on a topic not so relevant to you. Ladies, stay tuned. We’re talking periods, and PMS. If you are someone who has suffered with the pain and discomfort associated with that certain time of the month, we’re going to discuss how CBD could help! First, lets establish what PMS is, what causes it, and how it effects daily life for those few days before your menstrual cycle hits.
What is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the one to two weeks before a woman’s period. It is estimated that 3 out of 4 women in the US have at one point suffered from symptoms of PMS at least once in their lifetime. Symptoms often vary between women and resolve around the start of menstruating. PMS is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that many women get after ovulation and before the start of their menstrual period. Although many women do not suffer from extreme cases of PMS, there are some women out there that develop premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a much more extreme case of PMS. PMDD is a severe, sometimes disabling extension of PMS. Although regular PMS and PMDD both have physical and emotional symptoms, PMDD causes extreme mood shifts that can disrupt your work and even damage your relationships.
What causes PMS?
Although the cause of PMS is unknown, many researchers believe that it’s related to a change in both sex hormone and serotonin levels at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Levels of estrogen and progesterone increase during certain times of the month, and an increase in these hormones can cause mood swings, anxiety, and irritability. Serotonin is a chemical naturally produced in your brain and gut that affects your moods, emotions, and thoughts. When serotonin levels drop, this can cause changes in mood and emotions.
How it can effect daily life
Symptoms of PMS can include, but are not limited to: tension or anxiety, depression, overwhelming feelings of sadness, mood swings, irritability or anger, appetite changes, insomnia, social withdrawal, poor concentration, changes in sex drive, joint and muscle pain, headache, fatigue, weight gain related to fluid retention, abdominal bloating, tender breasts, and acne, just to name a few. For some the physical pain and emotional stress are severe enough to affect their daily lives. Regardless of the severity of symptoms, they generally disappear within just a few days.
For those that suffer with PMDD, these symptoms can be more severe, and although they last about the same amount of time, they can disrupt your day to day life. For those with busy lifestyles, we can’t afford to be out of commission for days on end, dealing with PMS symptoms. So lets talk about CBD, and how it can help.
Benefits of CBD and PMS
As discussed many times before throughout our blogs, CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory, and has many pain fighting abilities. This makes CBD a great alternative during that time of the month when those suffering with PMS or PMDD experience anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, muscle pain, breast tenderness, and acne, as well as many other symptoms.
CBD works with the Endocannabinoid System within our bodies, creating synergy. When synergy is created, the interaction of elements when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements on their own. This means that CBD will help to systematically regulate whats going on inside your body, to help alleviate the symptoms associated with PMS.
How do I Take CBD for PMS Pain?
Just like when dealing with any other ailments within our bodies, the best way to take CBD for pain, is to take it orally; although CBD topicals can be used in conjunction to help alleviate back pain and muscle soreness, you can take CBD through tinctures, capsules, and edibles.
Another way you can take CBD for PMS pain, is through one of the trendy items on the market, cannabis suppositories. There is a company out there called Foria, that makes and sells these cannabis suppositories just for the help of relieving PMS pain. However, these products are not available to anyone outside of Colorado and California, and they can be a little on the expensive side; 8 suppositories can run as much as $72.00!! Since these are not widely available, and not too budget friendly for some, why not make your own CBD infused tampons at home? All you have to do is apply a small amount of an unflavored CBD tincture to the tip of a tampon, and insert it as normal. Since the vaginal walls will absorb CBD, and target the area of pain, this is a highly efficient way of consuming CBD for PMS pain.
Now we must caution those who have any kind of blood related issues, when considering using CBD. Since in some cases CBD may affect how anticoagulants and blood platelets work, it could lead to blood clotting conditions. Because of this possibility, people with blood clotting deficiencies should consume CBD products ONLY after consulting with their doctor first.
If you are someone who suffers with the debilitating side affects of PMS on a monthly basis, why not add CBD to your daily routine, and see if the benefits help to regulate your mood, feelings of anxiety, muscle pain, and acne? You can be directed to our Pure and Full Spectrum Tinctures by clicking the links below.
Read our previous blog: Understanding CBD by clicking here.
