Cannabis isn’t a cure-all for those grappling with menopause, but it might alleviate some of its most troublesome symptoms.

“I would say, so far, menopause is ruining my life,” says Emer Healy, 44. “Welcome to your new normal—this is just your body now.”

It’s easy to joke about menopause as Emer laughs over a video call, but the truth behind the smiles is all too real for those entering midlife. Between perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, these hormonal shifts—and their accompanying symptoms—can span decades.

For Emer, the experience included intense night sweats, mood swings, lack of appetite, and insomnia. “I can get hot flashes at any time of the day, but the night sweats are ridiculous,” she confides. “I will wake up soaked in my own sweat, completely soaking through what I’m wearing and my sheets.” During perimenopause, Emer has noticed an increase in sleeplessness, a diminished sex drive, brain fog, and struggles to find “the shiny side of life.”

The lack of available information is what Emer, who lives in London, finds particularly overwhelming. “This could be the next 20 years of my life. Where is the end of the tunnel? Who knows?” she says. “It leaves many of us out in the dark, searching for help and resources.”

“Menopause is different for everyone. Some women really suffer from symptoms, while others have none at all,” says Dr Michelle Johnson from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London.

Initial symptoms tend to include worsening PMS and more frequent periods that can be heavy or unpredictable. Other symptoms include vaginal dryness, anxiety, depression, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, night sweats, hair loss, and changes in weight and libido.

Traditional therapies for treating menopause include hormone replacement and antidepressants. However, there are also natural remedies—such as cannabis—that might help ease the transition.

What are natural treatments for menopause?

Here’s what you need to know about cannabis and menopause. Depending on an individual’s health history, Dr Michelle Johnson notes that there are various options for managing menopause symptoms. Lifestyle changes are often recommended, such as regular exercise, avoiding smoking and drinking, and managing stress.

Medical cannabis is another natural approach that some women are exploring. Emer Healy has been a medical cannabis patient for over a decade, following a life-threatening car accident that left her with severe mental and physical symptoms.

Given her familiarity with the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, it was a “no-brainer” for Emer to try using it for her perimenopause symptoms. By making mindful adjustments to her cannabis consumption, Emer noticed improvements in her mood, appetite, and sleep.

Michelle Smith, also from London, had a different experience. Perimenopause was relatively easy for her, with her periods stopping quietly at 47. However, a year into post-menopause, she began experiencing hot flashes, skin itchiness, constant bloating, and mood swings.

Cannabis wasn’t Michelle’s first choice. Initially, she opted for menopause hormone therapy (MHT), but it exacerbated her symptoms, causing mood swings, bloating, and benign breast growths. After a year of MHT, she considered medical cannabis.

Although she had used cannabis recreationally before, she had never used it for medical purposes. After consulting with a doctor, she started on an ingestible cannabis oil and was amazed at how her mood stabilized and her physical symptoms eased.

How long does cannabis withdrawal last?

How does cannabis help menopause symptoms?

In 2021, researchers at the University of Alberta surveyed 1,500 individuals in various stages of menopause to investigate their use of cannabis and its effects on menopause symptoms.

The findings revealed that those using cannabis for medical purposes reported improvements in several areas: 65% noted better sleep, 45% experienced reduced anxiety, 33% saw relief from muscle or joint pain, 29% reported less irritability, and 25% felt less depressed.

So, can cannabis help with menopause? Currently, there isn’t enough scientific research to provide a definitive answer. “The utility of medical cannabis is currently controversial, and while it is being explored as a therapeutic option, it does not yet have strong evidence,” says Dr Michelle Johnson.

What is known is that medical cannabis is helping some individuals manage the more troubling symptoms of menopause, such as sleep disturbances and mood swings, though it is less effective for hot flashes.

While studies like the one from the University of Alberta are not considered clinical research, they offer insight into how real people are using cannabis and its impact on their symptoms.

“It behooves individuals, I feel, to seek out and look for alternatives that align with what they value and believe to be true for them. And I feel that medical cannabis, or more specifically cannabinoids, are absolutely a viable option to explore,” Dr Johnson adds.

How does cannabis work with the endocannabinoid system?

Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates and controls many essential bodily functions. The ECS has numerous receptors throughout the body that influence critical functions such as memory, sleep, appetite, and inflammatory and immune responses.

The foundation of medical cannabis lies in how the plant’s compounds interact with our ECS. Cannabis is composed of cannabinoids like THC and CBD, which affect ECS receptors throughout the body.

The way cannabis influences the ECS explains why it can make people feel hungry, sleepy, and occasionally forgetful. This interaction is also why many find cannabis helpful for treating conditions such as menopause, insomnia, inflammation, and diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Since endocannabinoids (produced by our bodies) and cannabinoids (found in cannabis) have similar molecular structures, consuming cannabis can do more than just produce a high—it can have significant effects on our health.

GET BAKED WITH THE UK’S NEW BOUJEE WEED EDIBLE MAKERS!

What menopause symptoms can cannabis help with?

“We don’t have enough knowledge related to cannabinoids from a hormone replacement type of intervention,” says Dr Johnson, a nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience, including the last five years in medical cannabis. When discussing menopause with patients, the focus is usually on targeting specific symptoms rather than the condition itself.

Through her work, Dr Johnson frequently encounters individuals seeking relief from menopause symptoms, particularly those associated with perimenopause. The two main symptoms people seek help for are insomnia—with or without hot flashes—and anxiety.

“Throughout all of this, my sleep has been very elusive. I would say cannabis has helped most with that,” says Emer. “On those nights when my mind is racing or my body is doing interesting things, it helps me get to sleep and stay asleep.”

Emer Healy also finds cannabis useful for anxiety, improving her libido, and stimulating her appetite. “Cannabis heightens my senses so that I can find a better feeling, a better thought. It also helps spark my interest in sensory things like food or sex,” she explains.

Emer prefers inhalation for managing her perimenopause symptoms, as it provides more immediate relief compared to the 60 to 90 minutes it takes for edibles to take effect. Among the various consumption methods available in her medicine cabinet, her favourite remains vaping or smoking dried cannabis flower.

Michelle Smith also uses cannabis via inhalation. To manage her menopause symptoms, she prefers a 1:1 ratio cannabis oil that has equal parts THC and CBD.

After discontinuing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and starting medical cannabis, Michelle noticed significant improvements in her mood, sleep, and overall enjoyment of life.

“I began feeling so much better. My sleep came back, and the night sweats, and hot flashes really began to go away,” says Michelle. “My mood was like night and day.”

What’s the reason behind the intense dreams caused by weed?

How to talk to your doctor about cannabis for menopause symptoms?

Medical cannabis is tightly regulated in the UK, and ongoing research remains a grey area. Beyond a few animal studies, we largely rely on surveys and case studies of people’s experiences to understand the potential benefits and limitations of cannabis.

UK doctors are often hesitant to recommend cannabis as a treatment, typically considering it a last resort when traditional treatments fail.

Dr Michelle Johnson advises starting any cannabinoid therapy with the mantra: “Start low, go slow, stay low.” This approach involves beginning with low concentrations of cannabis, whether using the whole plant or isolating cannabinoids like THC or CBD.

To alleviate anxiety and improve sleep, Dr Johnson suggests starting with CBD, which can be taken orally in forms such as oils, soft gels, and other edibles. These formats make it easy to measure doses and adjust intake as needed.

“For many individuals, that’s actually enough to promote improved sleep,” she says. “If it’s not effective, as we titrate it up, if we find that it’s just not doing the trick or if we’re not achieving the outcome of improved sleep with that, then [we] bring some THC in with the CBD at various ratios.”

Starting any medical treatment or alternative therapy carries the risk of complications. Cannabis can interact with pre-existing conditions and medications, which is why Dr Johnson stresses the importance of consulting a medical professional, particularly for those with health concerns.

Menopause is a unique experience for each individual, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For Emer and Michelle, cannabis has made a challenging experience more manageable. “It’s certainly not a panacea. It doesn’t help 100 percent of everything. But through this new experience with my body, it has certainly helped.”

 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any THC product.