CBD Oil and Menopause Symptoms

by Camila Villagonzalo

The use of CBD oil in place of contemporary medicine is not something new to science. To put it simply, the compound’s effectiveness in curtailing the adverse side effects of various conditions and diseases is solely responsible for the skyrocketing popularity of CBD oil.

Researchers have found its benefits to extend to cancer patients, those diagnosed with chronic conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and even aging women experiencing perimenopausal symptoms.

According to the National Institute on Aging , a branch of the US Department of Health & Human Services, menopause happens 12 months after a woman’s last period. This transition occurs between ages 45 and 55, usually lasting about 7 to 14 years.

These perimenopausal symptoms can arise suddenly and aggressively. Aging women may begin to experience a change in their monthly cycle, hot flashes, itching, and other symptoms while in transition.

This is a result of the body’s changes in the production of estrogen and progesterone, and their bones becoming less dense, even brittle.

There may be a change in energy use and fat storage causing weight gain. There may even be a change in bowel movements, and overall temperament, causing mood swings and chronic fatigue.

Menopause can be pretty horrific; it’s akin to puberty for adults transitioning into old age. With science substantiating just why women are using CBD oil to treat menopause symptoms, here’s how the extract works to that effect:

1) CBD oil reduces the chances of weight gain

A number of studies in the past have shown that postmenopausal women are more likely to put on weight as their insulin sensitivity deviates from normalcy. Endocannabinoid levels increase dramatically forcing the woman to curb her natural dietary tendencies, and exercise regimen.

Furthermore, these women are at greater risk of obesity and diabetes as their natural insulin production grows resistant.
However, with the regular use of CBD oil and related therapy, the chances of such symptoms are greatly lowered. A recent study that found menopause-related obesity to be more prevalent among non-users.

According to MedicalNewsToday.com, research suggests that CBD oil has added health benefits ranging from pain relief, to inflammation reduction and reducing anxiety – all factors triggered by stress and correlated with weight gain.

2) CBD also helps keep bone diseases at bay

CB2 receptors tend to go into overdrive during the perimenopausal stage.

This causes an increase in activity of osteoclasts – bone cells tasked with regulating bone growth/density by breaking down other bone cells as needed. This ultimately leads to the onset of bone diseases like osteoporosis, and cancer.

By ensuring that the CB2 and CB1 receptors remain moderately active, CBD oil goes a long way in warding off bone disease by preventing excessive breakdown of the cells.

3) CBD oil alleviates pain

According to CBDvapepenguide.com, pain relief is the most commonly addressed symptom for medically prescribed CBD users.
Countless pieces of clinical literature have linked CBD oil with analgesic action making it an adept pain reliever. Women experiencing menopause tend to be plagued with a number of side effects encompassing breast pain, back pain, bone aches, and headaches in this phase of their lives.

Luckily, the compound can quell these symptoms with minimal side effects thanks to its safe and effective pain relieving properties. CBD is one of the only modern medicines that does not initiate secondary, psychoactive side effects creating further complications for the user.

Moreover, CBD oil also helps with period cramping which is particularly intense at the “weaning off” stage as women usher into menopause.

4) Improvement of sleep and overall mood

Drastic mood changes are another consequence of menopause with women at this phase especially susceptible to a rollercoaster of spontaneous emotions.

Part biological and part psychological, menopause takes aging women on the ride of their lives. Mood swings are common during menopause. They can last for minutes or months; menopausal women may go from feeling depressed, to extremely happy within the blink of an eye.

CBD oil works in a similar way to antidepressants and it is this property that helps with mood stabilization.

Additionally, sleep disturbances are also rampant in such women. In modest doses, CBD is mildly alerting, activating the adenosine receptors – similar to caffeine, or another stimulant. Ingesting a CBD tincture a few hours before bed, has a balancing effect, however.

Thus, CBD oil proves a nice remedy for this menopause induced insomnia, as it increases the frequency and quality of sleep, thereby also boosting productivity levels during the day.

5) It can bolster a dwindling sex drive

Menopause comes with reduced sexual desire and postmenopausal women, therefore, tend to be less interested in such matters.

This can be detrimental to a long standing relationship, as many partners experience aging at different rates.

Andropause, male menopause, is a rather gradual decline in hormone levels between the ages of 40 and 80 years old. While female menopause is dramatic and sudden decrease, observed over a period of 7 to 14 years.

Around age 40, male testosterone levels begin to drop by one percent each year. It’s rarely noticeable in men under 60. However, by the time a man is 80 years old, his testosterone will be around ⅕ of what he measured in his 20s.

Andropause symptoms are similar to menopause: a decreased sex drive, reduced muscle, night sweats, fewer erections, depression, fatigue, hair loss, irritability, memory loss, problems sleeping, increased body fat storage, and mood swings.

Consequently, CBD oil serves as a remedy for both aging men, and women. It may help to increase sexual arousal by heightening the skin’s touch sensitivity, and getting around some of the physiological shackles associated with sex & aging.

Overall, CBD oil proves a good supplement for those experiencing menopause or perimenopausal symptoms, as it distracts from the annoying symptoms that come along with physiological decline. While scientific studies have not found a treatment to curb menopause with CBD oil, they have found supporting evidence in treating many of the symptoms and sides effects mentioned above.