Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the name for a range of symptoms that women experience during their menstrual cycle, usually before the start of a period. Symptoms are varied, and usually begin one to two weeks before menstruation. It is normal for women to experience physical and mental changes throughout the menstrual cycle and most will notice significant differences. For some, PMS can be painful and debilitating.
Premenstrual symptoms include:
- cramping sensations in the lower abdomen
- tender breasts
- fatigue
- bloating
- mood swings
- depression
- irritability
- food cravings
- headaches
There may be times where PMS affects daily activities and for some women it can be extremely severe, known as premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD). For women with premenstrual dysmorphic disorder, emotional symptoms tend to be extreme, such as deep bouts of depression, feeling overwhelmed, problems with concentration, tearfulness and crying. This emotional disturbance makes it difficult to do usual activities, such as working and socialising.
The symptoms of PMS and PMDD are a result of fluctuating hormone levels as women go through the menstrual cycle. The hormonal changes also affect the levels of serotonin in the body and brain, a neurotransmitter that is key to the regulation of mood, digestion and sleep.
For the majority of women, while there is some discomfort, pain and emotional changes, premenstrual symptoms are generally managed with self-care. For those with PMDD, getting medical advice on treatments for managing the symptoms is essential as this chronic condition can have a significant impact on quality of life.
Traditional Treatment Options for Premenstrual Syndrome
Treatment for premenstrual syndrome depends on finding relief for the symptoms that are the most acute, rather than a remedy to treat the condition as a whole.
Premenstrual cramps can be managed with pain relief medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Some women find it helpful to use heat, such as a hot water bottle or heat pack, to help ease the pain of uterine cramps.
Eating a healthy diet, fresh air and exercise is beneficial in balancing moods and emotions, as well as keeping stress to a minimum for those who feel emotionally vulnerable.
For premenstrual dysmorphic disorder, lifestyle changes may help bring the symptoms down to a manageable level without the need for further treatment. If this does not provide relief, antidepressants may be prescribed. These medications take time to work and come with a range of side-effects. There are also injections available to bring on a temporary menopause, known as GnRH Analogue injections. While this may provide relief, it should be combined with hormone replacement therapy in order to prevent loss of bone density.
Vitamins and supplements may help to reduce the severity of PMS, including vitamin B6, magnesium and calcium. CBD oil is also effective in improving symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
CBD Oil for Premenstrual Syndrome
CBD oil is a health supplement derived from hemp, a plant from the cannabis family. Hemp is a strain of cannabis that does not make people feel high, and it has been used for many medicinal and practical purposes throughout history. Unlike marijuana, another cannabis strain, hemp has low levels of THC which is the cannabinoid that creates the high feeling that is associated with cannabis. Instead, hemp has high levels of CBD, a cannabinoid with many health benefits, including the treatment of premenstrual syndrome.
CBD is effective at relieving pain, and women who use CBD for menstrual cramps may find that they do not need additional pain relief medications. It also has a relaxing effect on the muscles and eases tension, and this may also help to lower the perception of pain.
Low moods and anxiety are a common part of PMS, and CBD oil had been shown to be effective in balancing moods as well as lowering anxiety. The Open Access Government1 website describes a recent study where CBD was prescribed to 397 participants to assess its effect of a range of conditions including depression and pain. “Patients suffering from mental health conditions saw significant improvements to their depression and anxiety symptoms as well as reduced pain levels and an increased ability to complete their usual activities.”
Another symptom of premenstrual tension syndrome is fatigue and sleep disturbances. CBD oil is known to be beneficial to those with insomnia, and may also help women with premenstrual syndrome get better quality sleep and reduce fatigue.
This study2 sums up that way in which CBD oil can be used for premenstrual syndrome by describing its effectiveness for a range of symptoms. “CBD compounds have been studied and proven to treat and relieve symptoms such as chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety and depression, and insomnia, to name a few. Since many of these symptoms often present themselves to women who suffer from PMS, CBD may be an appropriate, natural alternative treatment when it comes to managing these occurrences.”
When using hemp oil for premenstrual syndrome, it is important to get an effective dosage for your needs. If you’ve been looking online for ‘CBD oil for menstrual cramps dosage’, you may have found the question difficult to answer. There is no ‘standard dose’ that will work for everyone, as factors such as weight, height and age should be considered. To find the right CBD dosage for you, our CBD oil dosage calculator is here to help! All you need to do is add a few details about yourself to get a personalised CBD dosage recommendation displayed on your screen. We also send to your preferred email address for easy reference.
CBD oil is helpful in managing a range of symptoms of both premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and also offers an alternative treatment to traditional pain relief and mood medications. Legal and safe to use, CBD is offering hope to many women who need relief from the physical and emotional effects of the menstrual cycle.
What you need to know about CBD oil and the premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the name used for a collection of physical and mental symptoms that occur during the menstrual cycle. Symptoms include uterine pain, mood swings, tender breasts, fatigue and disturbed sleep. There is a more severe form of the condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, where a person has extreme mental health issues during their menstrual cycle, such as anxiety and depression. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder treatment may consist of antidepressants or injections to control hormones.
As a woman goes through the menstrual cycle, hormone levels fluctuate. It also affects levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood. This causes a range of emotional changes along with the physical changes that happen to the body.
CBD oil is effective in treating many of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including pain, depression and anxiety, and improving sleep. Using CBD oil for menstrual cramps may reduce or stop the need for pain relief medications.
If you are looking for the optimal dosage of CBD for PMDD or PMS, our CBD calculator is here to help. By entering your specific details, you get a recommended dosage displayed in minutes, so you can get started with CBD and find relief from symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.