Medical Cannabis For Endometriosis: Five Ways Mamedica Can Help
What is endometriosis?
This condition occurs when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus, known as endometrium, begins to grow outside the uterus. Common symptoms include pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, and infertility.
In this blog post, we discuss how medical cannabis could be a life-changing option for individuals living with endometriosis, who feel like traditional medication and treatments haven’t worked for them.
Medical cannabis for endometriosis: Why is it needed?
In the UK alone, 28 million people are currently suffering from chronic pain, 79% of which are women. This is especially prevalent in conditions such as endometriosis, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or menopause. According to a 2023 report by the Wellbeing of Women and Neurofen, 56% of women feel that healthcare professionals ignore or dismiss their pain.
1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK suffer from endometriosis, with it taking an average of up to 8 years from the onset of symptoms to get a diagnosis. And 18% of women with endometriosis say they have experienced debilitating pain for three to five years. These statistics reveal an urgent need for change in endometriosis healthcare options.
With 25% of women stating they have tried at least three types of medications but have still not found an effective remedy, a holistic medical regime incorporating medical cannabis can help provide relief from debilitating symptoms when traditional medications have failed.
Here are five ways medical cannabis can help with endometriosis:
1. Pain Relief
One of the most debilitating symptoms of endometriosis is chronic pain. Medical cannabis has been shown to be effective in managing pain due to its analgesic properties. The cannabinoids in cannabis, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in pain regulation.
2. Anti-inflammatory Effects
Endometriosis involves inflammation of the endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Cannabis is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and associated pain.
Research shows that CBD modulates the immune response by shifting cytokine production towards anti-inflammatory types and inhibiting the migration and activation of immune cells. It also reduces oxidative stress due to its antioxidant properties and interacts with cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB2, to dampen inflammation.
3. Muscle Relaxant
Endometriosis can cause severe muscle spasms and cramping. Medical cannabis can act as a muscle relaxant, alleviating these painful symptoms. Research explains that cannabis acts as a muscle relaxant by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, particularly CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, to reduce muscle spasticity.
It modulates spinal cord function to lower muscle tone, has analgesic properties that alleviate pain and indirectly reduce muscle tension, and offers neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits that prevent nerve damage and inflammation-induced spasms. These effects collectively make cannabis effective in alleviating muscle stiffness and spasms.
4. Improvement in Sleep Quality
Chronic pain and discomfort from endometriosis can lead to poor sleep quality. Medical cannabis, especially strains high in CBD, can promote better sleep by reducing pain and inducing relaxation. Improved sleep can significantly enhance the quality of life for endometriosis patients.
5. Mood Regulation
Endometriosis can have a profound impact on mental health, leading to conditions such as anxiety and depression. Studiesindicate that cannabis can regulate mood by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, particularly CB1 receptors in the brain areas responsible for emotion.
Cannabis influences the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, crucial for mood regulation, and reduces stress and anxiety through CBD’s anxiolytic properties. Additionally, cannabis promotes neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, enhancing brain health, and has anti-inflammatory effects that can alleviate mood disturbances linked to inflammation.
Accessing medical cannabis for endometriosis
Keep in mind, that medical cannabis treatment can only be prescribed when first-line treatment has failed to provide adequate relief. If you’d like to learn more about accessing medical cannabis and the legal guidelines, read our blog article here.
Always consult a qualified doctor for guidance on accessing medical cannabis treatment safely. You can check your eligibility for treatment here.