CBD For Period Cramps

Have you ever thought about using CBD for period cramps? Ah, here it comes, the dreaded (but relieving - you get me?) time of the month that your body tells you you’re not pregnant (yay!), but here’s a ton of crappy symptoms anyway. With your period comes something similar to the 10 Plagues of Egypt, but inside your body.

This may be a tad dramatic, but period pains can be detrimental to your well-being and potentially your work, school, and home life. Can we get rid of period pains? Well, not necessarily, but there is strong potential for using CBD to help relieve a lot of the symptoms that are associated with your period.

What is PMS?

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is what we blame our period pains on. While that may be correct in some cases, it’s not true for everyone. While 3 out of every 4 menstruating women experience PMS symptoms, your symptoms can come in different forms, strengths, length, and may not even hit you every single period. 

Doctors don’t necessarily know the exact cause of PMS overall, but there’s some evidence that the hormonal changes you go through before and during your period can contribute to the symptoms. There may be other underlying causes to your period pains, always check in with your doctor if you’re experiencing more painful than usual symptoms. 

The menstrual cycle is something all menstruating women go through. Now, not every woman may have a period due to some diseases, genetics, birth control, and other factors, but may still menstruate. The menstrual cycle is the cycle in which your body creates eggs to prepare to be (or not to be) fertilized by sperm. PMS begins to play into this cycle after ovulation. Ovulation (about a week before your period) is when your body has dropped the mature egg from the ovaries so the eggs can be fertilized, this causes a spike in hormones. The next phase involves the eggs traveling through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. Once in the uterus there are two options for the eggs; to be fertilized and attach to the thickened uterine lining or to not be fertilized and commence the shedding of the thickened uterus wall. This shedding is your period and causes the hormones in your body to drop back to normal levels. Once the shedding has started, PMS symptoms should lessen or even cease. 

If you’d like to read more in-depth about PMS and potentially helpful tips to relieve your symptoms, read this article.

Period Pains and What Causes Them

You know what my favorite mythical creatures are? The cheerful girls in tampon commercials.  Period pains can be so debilitating that they interfere with everyday activities! Pains associated with your period are different from person to person but also vary in how strong they are. Some women have to take off work or school due to the pain of period symptoms. For real, if tampon commercials reflected real life, it would be more like:

These pains can be emotional and/or physical. Here are some examples of what you may experience when PMSing; 

• Heightened anxiety
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Depressed mood
• Appetite changes
• Poor concentration
• Joint/muscle pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Acne
• Bloating
• Digestive issues
• ….and more.

So, with all of this going on PLUS what’s happening to the uterus, it figures we can be a bit grumpier than usual during this time. Finding relief is a goal for a lot of women dealing with symptoms like these. Could CBD for period cramps be the light at the end of the tunnel? 

CBD For Pain Relief

CBD (cannabidiol) is a chemical compound that exists in the cannabis plant. Products are created with CBD to relieve a variety of pains, a lot that overlap PMS symptoms. CBD can be beneficial in helping;

• Relieve joint/muscle pain
• Relieve headaches
• Anxiety and depression management
• Energy and focus
• Relieve IBS
• Inflammation relief
• Sleep aid
• and more.

CBD interacts with your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) by reacting to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Your ECS regulates a whole plethora of things in your body including mood, appetite, pain management, digestion, and more. The CB1 and CB2 receptors can be found all over your body, including (can you guess?), that’s right… your ovaries! CBD interacts with these receptors in order to help regulate your ECS when it becomes imbalanced. 

CBD For Period Cramps (and Other Pains!)

While CBD isn’t the cure for your period cramps, it can be beneficial in relieving a lot of symptoms associated with your period (as shown above). There are many ways to use CBD oil with different products. You can also choose from different strengths and flavors. 

CBD OIL

The most common way to take CBD is with a CBD oil. By ingesting it sublingually, you may feel the overall effects (and relief) quicker than other ways of ingestion. 

CBD GUMMIES

Probably the most fun way to take daily CBD is to use edibles. Choose from different flavors, strengths, and types of gummies. There are even some sugar free options, as well. 

CBD CAPSULES

CBD capsules are great if you just want to add CBD into your daily vitamin routine. These capsules also come in sleep capsules that can help discourage insomnia and encourage a healthy sleep schedule.

CBD FLOWER

Another fast option to get CBD into your system quickly and effectively is to smoke it. This ensures that it gets into your bloodstream and also bypasses the digestive system processes, which slows down the relief. 

CBD VAPE

Again, smoking is the fastest way to get CBD into your system. While smoking flower or prerolls may seem daunting, vaping is a bit less intimidating and comes in better flavors.

CBD TOPICALS

CBD topicals are perfect for you if you’re feeling muscle and joint pains… if you’re feeling crampy. Use these directly on your painful spots, especially when you can’t take a warm bath or use a heating pad. 

Another great topical option are CBD patches. These patches are discreet and there are even ones for your period!

CBD BATH

This time of the month is perfect for self care. Use CBD bath bombs to take a nice, warm bath and add in a CBD face mask to “up” that luxurious feeling and let your cares (and pains) drift away.

Other Tips To Relieve Your Cramps

CBD may help relieve some symptoms but we have to remember that CBD works differently in every person’s body. In addition to using CBD products, here are more tips that may help relieve some period pains.

• Exercise! Even if it just means light stretching and a walk.
• Indulge in self care and take a warm bath.
• Eat a healthy diet. 
• Get enough sleep with proper sleep hygiene. 
• Steer clear of caffeine. 
• Try products with THC in them. These products are more potent than CBD products, but do create a psychoactive high. Think about microdosing!
• Find ways to cope with stress.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking can make cramps worse.
• Take daily vitamins including prebiotics.

Taking care of your overall health is pertinent to reducing PMS symptoms. 

Say Goodbye To Period Cramps

Are you ready to try CBD (or THC) products to help relieve some of those pesky period pains? Or maybe you have more questions about CBD for period cramps. Contact us today to find out which products might be best suited for you.