5 Common Female Reproductive Disorders That Cannabis Can Treat
The female reproductive system is a complex web of organs that carry out important functions. Without it, bringing new life into this world is impossible. This is where all new life begins, when female eggs are fertilized by male sperm, resulting in the development of the fetus and the beginning of a magical 9-month cycle leading up to birth.
However, the female reproductive system also has other jobs to do. It’s made up of internal and external structures, all of which serve an important purpose. As females age and go through various life cycles, many of the biological changes are rooted in the reproductive system. For this reason, it’s important to take good care of your reproductive system especially if you are in childbearing age.
One of the most critical ways to ensure your reproductive system is healthy is to visit your doctor regularly, combined by integrating responsible cannabis use with your wellness regimen. The female reproductive system is abundant with many endocannabinoid receptors, so it’s no surprise that cannabis is being successfully used to treat many conditions affecting it. In this article, we’ll be tackling 5 common reproductive disorders that affect women, which are treatable with cannabis.
- Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women between 15 and 49 years of age. This condition is characterized by extremely painful periods, painful intercourse, pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, infertility, and fatigue. All of these symptoms can take a serious emotional, physical, and mental toll on patients. Cannabis has been shown to help mitigate the pain and inflammation that cause many of its symptoms. Studies show that cannabinoids also treat endometriosis by inhibiting cell proliferation, inhibiting lesion innervation, modulating the immune response, and desensitizing the nerves that send pain signals.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition characterized by hormonal imbalances and metabolism issues, causing irregular menstrual cycles, painful periods, hair on the face and other parts of the body, thinning hair, acne, weight gain, skin tags, and darkening of the skin. PCOS affects 1 in every 10 women, and without proper treatment, this can lead to difficulty conceiving. Insulin resistance is also a hallmark feature of PCOS, and if this condition is left untreated, one can never be cured of PCOS. Thankfully, cannabis consumption has been shown to improve insulin resistance (and the treatment of diabetes). Many women have also found relief from using cannabis for PCOS particularly for its ability to regulate hormone levels, and address painful periods and inflammation as well.
- Dysmenorrhea is perhaps the most common of all reproductive system disorders, affecting one in every two women. Dysmenorrhea is characterized by severe period pain and cramping during monthly periods, while around 5 to 15% of women have dysmenorrhea so extreme that it interferes with their ability to function on even the simplest daily tasks. Cannabis has proven to be so effective in treating dysmenorrhea that entire companies and product lines have been created solely focused on developing cannabis-based medications for the treatment of this condition.
- Breast and cervical cancer are the most common cancers that affect women. Just like other forms of cancer, early detection is crucial. Statistics show that half a million women die from both cancers worldwide, yet, with regular check-ups and screening, an early course of action can mitigate both diseases. Integrating cannabis with other forms of cancer treatment has been shown to greatly reduce the chances of the cancer spreading throughout the body. Cannabis fights cancer through various mechanisms within the body, giving home to the many women suffering from these potentially deadly diseases.
- Urinary tract infections affect around 15% of the female population each year, and 25% of them will have a recurrence. It’s caused by inflamed bladder walls, and although this condition is rarely serious, if left untreated it may lead to complications. It’s also extremely uncomfortable, and in some cases may cause abnormal urine, pain above the pubic bone, frequent need to urinate, pain in the lower back or abdomen, and burning sensations while urinating. In most normal cases, urinary tract infections go away on its own. But for the population for whom it brings about severe pain and discomfort, cannabis can help treat it.
Has cannabis helped you treat a reproductive system disorder? Share your comments below!