CBD and Cannabis for Menstrual Cramps: THC vs. CBD and How to Take It

Cannabis and CBD may help with menstrual cramps by easing inflammation and muscle tension in the uterus, and many people also use them for PMS bloating, mood swings and sleep. Research is still limited, but patients report real relief, and you can choose between THC, CBD or both in formats like oil drops, edibles, topicals and vapes. Ask any woman who gets bad cramps and she'll tell you there's no pain quite as miserable, so it's no surprise people try everything from pills to home remedies. But have you ever thought about cannabis?

Using weed for menstrual cramps is getting more popular as research grows, and many people report that both cannabis and CBD work really well for them against period pain and cramps.

Before you try it, it's worth understanding how it works and whether THC or CBD is the better fit for you.

THC or CBD for period cramps: which should you choose?

When you decide to use cannabis for pain, the first call is whether you want THC, CBD or both. Because THC is the psychoactive compound, the one that gets you high, some people prefer to stick with CBD alone.

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the main natural compounds in the cannabis plant; it has calming properties and is non-toxic. The anti-inflammatory effects of medical cannabis have been documented across a range of physical conditions. Pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories are commonly used to relieve cramps and period pain, and cannabis may offer similar relief in a more natural way. 

So what should you take for period pain? If you'd rather not smoke or vape, edibles and ingestible products, like tinctures, pills, oils or gummies, are a solid option for period relief. There are lots of choices for people looking for a natural remedy, and while cannabis for period cramps still isn't widely advertised, some studies and many patient reports suggest it can ease menstrual pain fairly quickly.

How CBD may help with your period:

Most people only think about stopping the cramps. But cannabis may do more than that. It can help by:

Reducing inflammation: 

Feeling bloated is one of the most common period complaints. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, so it may help take the edge off.

Easing pain: 

As the uterine muscles contract and relax during your period, cramps and pain follow. CBD is thought to act on receptors in muscle tissue, helping it loosen up and relax.

Lifting your mood: 

Hormones directly affect how we feel, and the hormonal swings of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) can leave us sad or irritable. CBD may help here by promoting calm, possibly by influencing the release of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Helping you sleep: 

Less stress makes it easier to fall asleep, although CBD isn't a sleeping pill as such.

How to take CBD for period pain

The evidence is still thin, but many people say cannabis calms their period pain. It's a versatile plant, and there are many ways to use it. The most common for cramps are:

Inhalation:

Smoking and vaping kick in fast and let you try different forms of cannabis, like flower, wax and oils. Both carry some risk (to different degrees) for your airways, though.

Oral

This may be the favorite for many because there are so many options, from cannabis food and drinks to capsules and edible oils. Cannabis taken by mouth takes longer to kick in but lasts longer. Downsides include low bioavailability (only part of the dose reaches your bloodstream) and a strong high, especially with THC edibles.

Topical

Lots of cosmetic brands use cannabinoids in balms, lotions, patches, creams and ointments. Most of these only work locally on the skin, but transdermal patches can get cannabinoids into your bloodstream.

Sublingual

Cannabis oil for pain may be one of the best options. Just put a few drops under your tongue, where the cannabinoids can pass quickly into the bloodstream. It works faster and with better bioavailability than edibles, and it skips the respiratory risks of smoking and vaping.

Cannabis oil for period cramps: how many drops should you take?

How many drops you take per day depends on the concentration of the oil. Before you start using CBD for period pain, talk to a doctor who knows the subject. They'll look at your situation and tell you which oil to use and at what CBD concentration.

On the other hand, for people who prefer to smoke or vape, some users and early research point to sativa strains helping with the emotional triggers tied to depression and anxiety, similar to what people with PMS go through, which is why sativas are a popular pick for these symptoms.

Research on cannabis for PMS is limited right now, but it's exciting to see more studies every year, not just on cannabis's health effects on the female body and reproductive system, but on its potential to help manage the emotional and hormonal symptoms of PMS every month.

PMS usually shows up 1 to 2 weeks before your period starts. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and in some cases can escalate to PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). 

Cannabis products are especially relevant for PMS because its symptoms mix physical, emotional and hormonal factors. 

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