Are menopause symptoms driving you crazy? Unfortunately, we know there is not one cure-all to get relief. That would be too easy. For some women, hormone replacement therapy is the direction they choose. But many others want to go a natural route. This is why CBD oil for menopause is such an excellent option.
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What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil has two parts. One is a carrier oil like MCT or sweet almond oil. The other is CBD, or cannabidiol, one of the primary compounds found in the cannabis plant.
But unlike CBD’s sister compound THC, it won’t get you high. In fact, CBD is known for its therapeutic benefits. (THC has effective therapeutic effects also, but we will talk about that another day.)
Does CBD Oil Help Balance Hormones?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which maintains the balance in the brain and the endocrine (hormones) system. When our estrogen drops because of menopause, it disrupts this whole system. So, our entire body gets out of whack, from sleepless nights and pain to moodiness and low libido.
CBD increases the function of the endocannabinoid system through two groups of receptors (CB1 and CB2) as well as various other routes. It maintains the chemical balance of the body. Therefore, CBD oil for menopause makes sense—it improves many of those perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
CBD oil and estrogen are connected, but it doesn’t actually raise estrogen levels. Instead, it mimics the very same action. So, in a way, it makes your body think its estrogen levels are higher than they are, so the endocannabinoid system acts accordingly.
Is CBD Oil Helpful For Menopause?
Menopause is a natural transition in a woman’s life. There isn’t a cure. If only. But CBD oil is known to help manage and reduce some of the symptoms related to menopause.
Let’s go through some of the symptoms of menopause one by one…
Insomnia
This is a big one. Many women find sleep evades them during menopause. Estrogen and melatonin—a sleep hormone—decrease with age and rapidly during menopause, causing sleepless nights.
Hot flashes or night sweats often occur, disrupting any sleep you might get. Nothing is worse than waking yourself up in a pool of sweat.
Studies show that CBD improves sleep and helps people stay in a deep stage of sleep rather than the unrestful REM stage. So, you get more restorative sleep which is really what the body needs to function fitfully.
CBD stabilizes blood pressure and eases muscles, setting the stage for a good night’s rest.
Our CBD Recommendations for Insomnia
Anxiety and Depression
Estrogen and progesterone influence serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a crucial chemical in body functions such as mood, sleep, digestion, libido, and more. If the levels rapidly decrease due to menopause, your neurochemistry will be off-kilter.
That is why many menopausal women find themselves feeling depressed or having anxiety when they never did before. Also, the careening of your hormone levels can bring on panic attacks and all-around moodiness.
So, how can CBD oil help?
CBD is shown to activate the serotonin receptors in the brain, relieving anxiety, stress, and depression and regulating overall mood.
Also, it improves the binding ability of GABA, which slows down the nervous system to help us relax when we start to get anxious.
CDB isn’t a cure for anxiety or depression, but it’s hardly surprising people turn to it for relief. It can certainly help take the edge off. This is where some people find that a little (or a lot) of THC will help ease their anxiety. Each person is different. When the other options may be intense pharmaceuticals with loads of side effects, many people seek out CBD first as a potential remedy.
Our CBD Recommendations for Anxiety and Depression
Decreased Libido
The deep throes of passion are often a thing of the past when women are in the deep throes of menopause. Our estrogen levels tank leaving us feeling less desire and less desirable. Not to mention drier than Death Valley down there.
Our bodies need estrogen to keep our lady bits supple and healthy.
A CBD (or THC) lubricant will bring more blood to the region (and more boys to the yard 😉) and moisturize the vaginal canal. It’ll also reduce inflammation and relax the vaginal muscles, making it a better sexual experience for you and anyone involved.
Our CBD Recommendation For Libido
Inflammation and Joint Pain
As estrogen decreases, inflammation increases, and so does arthritic pain. As a result, you may experience more joint pain in the knees, shoulders, neck, and hips. Even old injuries can make themselves known again.
But CBD oil to the rescue.
Taking CBD oil can reduce inflammation from the inside. And using a topical CBD product directly on the source of the pain can also ease discomfort. So, you’re attacking the pain on two fronts.
And not just joint pain.
Menopause can trigger headaches and migraines. CBD oil can work on the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain to reduce the feeling of pain.
Overall, there is a myriad of CBD benefits for women of all ages.
Our CBD Recommendation For Inflammation
How Should You Take CBD For Menopause?
Just as with any new medicine, start slowly. You can’t become addicted or overdose on CBD, the worst that will happen is you’ll fall asleep. But it’s always best to start slowly with any new treatment, herbal or otherwise.
We like CBD oil because it’s long-lasting, but it does take longer to take effect than vaping. If you’re trying to tackle a panic attack, waiting for the oil to start working isn’t the best way to go. It’ll likely take 30-45 minutes or so. However, if you use it daily to keep everything churning smoothly, then CBD oil is brilliant.
CBD oils are taken sublingually. So you can take it as soon as you feel symptoms or right when you wake up in the morning. You’re not going to get drowsy from a couple of drops, so CBD oils are very day friendly.
What To Look For When Buying CBD Oil For Menopause
Not all CBD is created equally. Quality matters. So, you must investigate a few things before you buy it.
Consider The Source
Just like with food, knowing the source means knowing the quality of the product. CBD is no different.
Look for CBD made from organically grown hemp. Plants soak in the qualities of the soil they are grown in. Poor quality soil means poor quality CBD. Not only will it likely contain low levels of CBD, but it will also be contaminated with all the pesticides and pollutants in the soil. But if you source organic hemp, you know the quality of the CBD.
How Was it Extracted?
Look for a company that uses CO2 extraction. It’s the cleanest method that produces an unpolluted and potent product. If the oil is a rich amber-gold color, it indicates it’s high quality.
The companies that use the CO2 extraction method always have it on their label or website.
Full or Broad Spectrum vs. Isolate
There are three different types of CBD.
- CBD isolate has only CBD and no other components from the cannabis plant.
- Broad-spectrum CBD has all the components of the plant except THC.
- Full-spectrum CBD has all the components of the cannabis plant, including up to 0.3% THC, which is the current national legal limit in the U.S.
We suggest choosing a full-spectrum CBD oil for menopause because there is a synergistic effect when using all the compounds from the plant. You will NOT feel high with 0.3% THC, but the combination of CBD and THC boosts the oil’s effectiveness.
How Potent is the CBD Oil?
As with any medicine, the milligrams matter, CBD starts at 100mg and goes up to 5000mg per bottle. But you will be taking it by pipette most likely and in that case, a full pipette can range from 10mg – 50mg.
If you are a newbie to CBD, start at the low end with 10mg, see if you feel anything. If not, then work your way up as needed.
How Reputable is the Company?
Do your research. And not just on the company website. Dig deeper for reviews across the internet.
In your research, it is essential that you also look for third-party lab reports about the purity of the CBD. That will outline everything that is in the batch that was tested. They should also be testing EVERY batch. These tests are often available online and can be downloaded when you scan the QR code on the bottle/packaging or on their website. If it doesn’t do third-party testing, move on no matter how pretty or legit the bottle may look.
The Final Say on CBD Oil for Menopause
Currently, there haven’t been enough scientific studies to determine how effective CBD oil is for menopause. But the women have spoken, and we say it’s a game-changer.
While we wholeheartedly believe in science, there is enough positive proof from users that it’s something we should all consider. And there is no evidence of adverse effects.
There is nothing to lose—other than menopause symptoms.
Learn more about the benefits of CBD and ayurvedic techniques for aging here.
Disclaimer: We are not doctors nor health professionals. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician for your particular needs and circumstances prior to trying any new product.
