Menopause | Support
- OUI Editorial Staff
- Aug 19, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 1, 2024
While the stages of menopause used to mean your life as a woman was "over," the more we research and learn about "the change," we discover it does not have to be a time where overnight you switch from brilliant ingenue to the dried-out husk of a crone. What we are finding now is that menopause can be a time to settle into your hard-earned wisdom and honor your body that has done so much - some of us grew multiple lives in our bodies! And it is a time to honor your spirit, which is softened by compassion and forged in the steel of your life experience.
But we have to sleep through the night first... And stop feeling so irritated!
Cannabis can help with all of this!
Menopause is defined as the point when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but every woman's journey is unique.
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Symptoms of Menopause
Brain fog
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Mood changes
Vaginal dryness
Sleep disturbances
Weight gain
Stages of Menopause
Perimenopause
This is the transition phase leading up to menopause. It can start as early as your mid-30s and last anywhere from a few months to several years.
Menopause
This is the point when your ovaries stop releasing eggs, and you have not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. The average age for menopause is 51 in the United States.
Postmenopause
This refers to the years following menopause. Symptoms may ease for many women, but some continue to experience them for a decade or more
How Cannabis Can Help
Cannabis has a rich and complex relationship with estrogen. When estrogen levels change, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) also changes. That's where cannabis comes in – it can support the ECS and help manage symptoms regulated by this system.
CBG, or cannabigerol, is known as the mother of all cannabinoids because all other cannabinoids come from her. She’s a neuroprotectant, she’s a super anti-inflammatory, Works with the skin to rejuvenate and reduce redness and helps with focus.
THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a rare cannabinoid with magical properties (less than 1% of the cannabinoids in a plant.) At low doses, she is a super focuser, a mild stimulant and gives you a clear-headed lift. And she is an inflammation warrior, and neuroprotectant, and helps balance the glycemic metabolism. It is also an appetite suppressant so provides the lift without the fog and and without the munchies.
CBN, or cannabinol, is a gentle cannabinoid derived from aged THC. For menopausal women, she's a soothing nighttime companion, offering potent sleep support without the morning grogginess. CBN shines as an anti-inflammatory ally, potentially easing joint discomfort and hot flashes. Her calming nature may help balance mood swings and reduce anxiety often associated with hormonal changes. While research is ongoing, CBN shows promise as a neuroprotector, potentially supporting cognitive health during the menopausal transition. As a bonus, early studies suggest CBN might have anti-proliferative (anti-cancer and tumor) properties.
Mocktails and California Sober
Many women are discovering that with menopause comes a lower tolerance for alcohol, or that once easy wine hurts all the next day! These women have turned to Cannatails for their nightly ritual. Adding Canna beverages to their favorite mixer, or event swapping out their wine for Canna Appertifes. These low-calorie, lightly relaxing, and uplifting cannatails usher in anti-inflammation, homeostasis, and neural support while taking off the edge as you transition into your evening.
Remember, every woman's journey is unique, so listen to your body and as always start low and slow before starting any new regimen.
Stay tuned – OUI is staying on top of the latest research and will update this guide regularly with information you can trust and share with your doctors and friends.
The Science Behind It All
The interaction between estrogen and the endocannabinoid system is bidirectional, meaning that not only does estrogen influence the ECS, but the ECS also modulates estrogen signaling. The decline in estrogen levels during menopause may lead to changes in the endocannabinoid system, which could contribute to some of the symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, mood changes, and altered pain sensitivity.
Research
Research exploring the relationship between estrogen, the endocannabinoid system, and menopause is growing. Here are a few examples:
As research continues to expand, it may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the ECS for the management of menopause-related health concerns. Oui will keep on top of it!
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