Menopause is an inevitable stage in a woman’s reproductive cycle. This is the time during which estrogen production wanes and menstruation stops entirely. Unfortunately, however, there are few, natural means that women have for coping with the countless physical and emotional challenges that menopause presents. This is especially true during the most formative stage of menopause, which is commonly referred to as peri-menopause. During this time, women can experience significant losses in bone density, joint and muscle soreness, weakening of the public muscle, stress incontinence, severe anxiety, chronic depression, and more. While many doctors recommend hormone replacement therapies for increasing estrogen levels, these treatments can entail a host of equally unpleasant side effects. Moreover, the long-term effects of hormone therapies are still largely unknown. The good news is that many women are able to obtain relief from medical marijuana.
Why Medical Cannabis Works As A Treatment For Peri-menopause Symptoms
The one, in-built measure that the body has for alleviating the symptoms of peri-menopause is found in the adrenal glands. These glands produce chemicals that are incredibly similar to the estrogen hormone. As a woman ages and her natural estrogen production declines, the adrenals provide sufficient, estrogen-like hormones for staving off problems like bone density loss, muscle atrophy, depression, and joint pain. This, however, is only true when the adrenals are in a good state of health. Due to poorly managed stress and lifelong, elevated levels of anxiety, a lot of women are not experiencing the full benefits of a healthy adrenal system and are therefore, unable to weather the challenges of peri-menopause without some form of outside support.
Certain strains of medical marijuana may be able to directly and indirectly supply the chemical components that a stressed or failing adrenal system cannot. This is especially true of medical cannabis that is high in cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical that stimulates the ovaries, alleviates stress and helps balance estrogen levels naturally. Best of all, CBD is not the chemical component in medical marijuana that is responsible for its psychoactive effects. As such, women can use strains of medical cannabis that do not make them feel out of sorts or “high”, and that effectively alleviate their reproductive, age-related discomfort.
Other Benefits Of Using Medical Cannabis For Peri-Menopause Symptoms
It’s no secret that most strains of marijuana have an incredibly relaxing effect on both the mind and the body. Thus, in addition to stimulating the ovaries and the production of both estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals that may not be available from the adrenal system, CBD strains of medical marijuana can also reduce the emotional stress that may be responsible for adrenal failure. These strains can additionally help women attain mood balance along with a host of surprising, physical improvements. For instance, peri-menopause is also associated with a decrease in metabolic functioning and significant weight gain. Some of this age-related weight gain can often be attributed to the presence of excess stress hormones, like Cortisol, which is known for promoting fat storage at and around the waistline. With better balanced moods, less stress and less Cortisol, women who are in the throes of peri-menopause could have a significantly easier time in controlling their body weights and limiting overall fat storage.
