At this moment, millions of women are suffering from symptoms associated with endometriosis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for endometriosis at this time, and most therapies are aimed at trying to make the symptoms bearable. Because the symptoms of endometriosis vary, it takes an average of 6.5 years for women to be properly diagnosed. 

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder in which uterine tissue is found outside of the uterus. The tissue can grow on the intestines, fallopian tubes, and even on the ovaries and other organs. The most common side effects of endometriosis are painful periods, excessive bleeding, pain during intercourse, and infertility. Endometriosis requires a medical diagnosis but is very common and often manageable with the right therapies. This disorder affects roughly 10% of all reproductive-aged women and can affect women for their entire lives. 

Current Treatments For Women

Endometriosis has no cure. Physicians understand how uncomfortable this disorder can be and work hard to keep their patients comfortable. Current therapies include:

• Laparoscopy – a surgical treatment. 
• Pain medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Hormonal therapy such as the birth control pill and progestogens. 
• Physiotherapy and psychology.

Pain medications and birth control pills control only subdue the symptoms for short periods of time, leaving the opportunity for the pain to come back again and again. Prolonged use of the birth control pill may offer fertility issues down the road as well. Surgical treatments offer the opportunity to damage healthy tissues, which may lead to worsened pain and future complications. Each standard therapy will affect each individual differently. There is no “best treatment” for endometriosis, simply due to the fact that everybody is different. Many women report difficulty managing their pain even with the therapies offered. 

How The Endocannabinoid System Effects Endometriosis

According to an article published by the Australian Access Clinic, women with endometriosis have a lower function of their endocannabinoid system, resulting in increased growth of the painful tissue caused by endometriosis. These women have lower levels of CB1 receptors – which makes it harder for the endocannabinoid system to control pain. By nurturing the endocannabinoid system and feeding it the nutrients it craves, we may be able to target pain relief from endometriosis. Emerging evidence shows that 1 in 10 women with endometriosis are using medical cannabis to treat their symptoms. 

CBD Aids In Relieving Inflammation

Since endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, CBD may be able to help. Several studies have even referred to endometriosis as the “endocannabinoid deficiency” disease! CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation according to a clinical trial posted in 2020 by affecting the body’s endocannabinoid receptors. With pain from inflammation being one of the biggest complaints made by those who have endometriosis, CBD may be worth a shot at treating the pain. 

CBD Can Relieve Anxiety and Depression

It is not uncommon for women to experience changes in their moods during their menstrual cycles. Those who have endometriosis may mentally suffer from more than mood swings. Endometriosis is a painful condition that can cause a lot of anxiety around that time of the month for many women. 

Cannabidiol can be a great alternative medication for those suffering from endometriosis. Because of its anti-anxiety properties, many women have found relief by incorporating CBD into their routines. According to a pre-clinical trial posted in 2015, CBD affects the receptors in your endocannabinoid system, basically telling your brain to stop stressing. 

What Form Of CBD Is Best For Endometriosis?

CBD comes in a few different forms – oral, topical, and inhalation. An oral CBD supplement can be a gummy, a bar of chocolate, or a tincture or oil. CBD can also be applied topically, like a lotion. Additionally, cannabidiol can be dried and inhaled or smoked. So what is the best way to consume CBD for endometriosis? 

Cannabidiol is digested and metabolized differently by different people. Some people may find that the instant onset of inhaling or smoking CBD is the best for them to relieve their discomfort. Others may find that an oral CBD supplement may be of better benefit to them because the effects can last 6 or more hours at a time. Some people may prefer to use a topical CBD supplement and apply it directly to their sensitive areas (such as the abdominal area or lower back area where cramps are most common).

The true answer is that it depends on your body and your preferences. Additional research may need to be conducted in order to determine the most effective route of administration for CBD to aid with endometriosis symptoms. 

Clinical Trials Regarding CBD And Women’s Reproductive Health

Dr. Kristin Riley at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is conducting a clinical trial showing the effects of cannabidiol on managing endometriosis pain. The trial began in December of 2020 and is set to be completed in December 2024. The trial includes separating 36 female participants with endometriosis into 3 groups and having them blindly take a supplement for 12 weeks. Group A received a placebo, group B received a low dose of CBD, and group C received a high dose of CBD. The study will measure the endometriosis pain of all 36 participants over the course of 12 weeks to see the effects that CBD may have on endometriosis. 

To learn more about this study, you may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor. Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04527003

More Research is Needed

Additional research and clinical trials need to be conducted to show the true benefits that CBD may have on managing pain. Because the endocannabinoid system plays a role in affecting endometriosis pain, finding the correct cannabidiol dosing and route of administration for your body may be a game changer for masking your endometriosis pain. 

The right CBD product can aid in reducing inflammation and anxiety in the body. Find a product that is right for you. DocCBD’s line of quality CBD products each comes with a certificate of analysis and higher bioavailability than other CBD products.