CBD has countless benefits that are specific to women only. As women, we experience various health conditions and symptoms throughout our lives. Previously, there were few open conversations surrounding women's health. Sometimes, there is still a stigma towards expressing concerns about changes within our bodies. A common expectation of women is to get on with it. However, changes in our bodies such as PMS or Menopause come with considerable baggage of gruelling symptoms resulting in physical pain and mental distress.

Every month I was used to dosing up on pain killers for the week, but it would only partially relieve menstrual cramps and physical pain. Hormonal changes affect our quality of life, such as our mental health. Since taking CBD daily, I know it has had a tremendous effect on my wellness. As the desire for CBD products continues to hit shelves, it's essential to understand and relish all of its benefits. 

What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant, recognised as a cannabinoid. However, it is important to note that CBD is not the same as THC. THC is a separate compound that creates the high feeling typically associated with cannabis. CBD does not.

When discussing CBD, we need to understand the endocannabinoid system or the ECS. The ECS is a system that is crucial for managing and balancing our internal bodies. Within this system, we naturally have endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. The endocannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors to stabilise functions, such as mood changes and sleep. CBD binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the same way. Ongoing research, therefore, suggests that CBD can stabilise our internal body, for example, acting as an anti-inflammatory.

How does CBD relieve women's symptoms throughout their life? 

This blog will go through the most common health conditions affected by natural changes we experience as women and how CBD may ease the symptoms. I will also share the CBD products I swear by from Puresativa and how they've helped me and others. 

Can CBD improve premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and periods?

As that dreaded week starts to creep up on us once a month, a heap of unwanted symptoms flood our bodies just before, called premenstrual syndrome or PMS. Of course, symptoms women can experience vary depending on the individual. Still, the most common can range from mood swings resulting in anxiety or irritability, changes in appetite and changes in sex drive. More side effects include spotty skin, bloating, and cramps, to name a few.

After experiencing the strong indicator that our period is coming, the flashing amber lights turn red, and it's here. Our period has arrived. The dreaded thought of enduring physical and mental pain as we grit our teeth and try our best to bear a smile because we have to dawn on us. Pains include insufferable abdominal cramps. Other symptoms include breakouts, sore and tender breasts, tiredness, bloating, mood swings and trouble sleeping. Symptoms tend to improve a few days after our periods start. Most women's mental state is mainly affected during PMS, where anxiety is at its height. 

During PMS and periods, lower levels of endocannabinoids can lead to emotional stress such as heightened anxiety. Cannabinoids can help stabilise the ECS, and research suggests that CBD may help lower the release of cortisol, the stress endorsing hormone. Therefore CBD may alleviate irregular moods and general mental health impacts from PMS and periods. In addition, CBD is said to be highly effective in reducing pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties through interacting with the ECS. The anti-inflammatory properties can benefit lower back and stomach pains, swollen breasts and bloating.                                     

We typically have a higher tolerance of pain compared with our male counterparts due to experiences discussed in this blog and more, such as childbirth. CBD may have a calming effect on our nervous symptoms relieving us of physical and emotional distress whilst being a natural wellness ingredient. So, if we can alleviate some of the impacts, why shouldn't we?

Can CBD improve perimenopause and menopause?

Perimenopause develops months or years before your period's stop, where you begin to experience the highly uncomfortable changes that occur during menopause. Menopause is when a woman's period stops completely, preventing them from getting pregnant naturally. Menopause tends to occur between 45 and 55. Menopause disrupts the endocannabinoid system, hence why women experience a heap of unwanted symptoms. 

34 common symptoms of menopause may occur depending on the individual, such as hot flushes and night sweats, creating a considerable difficulty to sleep. In addition, heavy mood changes affect many women during this time, which can run high risks of anxiety and depression, causing emotional distress. Other physical symptoms include vaginal dryness, lower libido, headaches and bone density loss. 

Throughout, the female reproductive system consists of cannabinoid receptors. However, menopause massively disrupts the endocannabinoid system, explaining the root of some of the damaging effects. CBD, a cannabinoid, may have exceptional influences on perimenopause and menopause. CBD may positively impact the same symptoms experienced during periods and PMS through a woman's PMS and menopause experience. Furthermore, CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors, and it may help regulate hormones. Stabilising hormone-secreting is extremely important during this time, particularly because depression and anxiety can be at an all-time high, making many women vulnerable. Women are sharing their personal experiences with CBD online and across social media. Women experiencing perimenopause and menopause have found CBD helpful in reducing sleep disturbances such as hot flushes and deepened anxiety. Menopause increases the rate of bone density loss. Studies suggest that CBD may help strengthen the bones. CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory, so it may also help to relieve the chronic pain women experience during this time and relax muscles. 

How could CBD alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression?

Mental wellness is an aspect of our lives that we should all take care of daily, regardless of gender. As awareness towards mental health conditions grow, societies understand that men sharing they are not okay doesn't correlate with their masculinity. Communities are slowly but surely acknowledging the importance to allow individuals to express how they feel because feelings are not associated with femininity. However, this information focuses on women because statistics show that depression is more dominant due to adverse health effects. Health conditions exclusive to women are natural but emotionally debilitating, such as menopause or PMS. 

CBD is increasingly gaining recognition in helping with mental health conditions as people share their positive and life-changing reactions. Doctors have said that cannabidiol is a compound that creates similar effects to serotonin. Serotonin is an important hormone that stabilises our moods and helps us feel happy. Although scientists need to conduct more research so the positive effects of CBD can be said definitively, studies suggest CBD produces a higher level of dopamine. This may help to alleviate stress and unbalance on our mind and body, mainly as we go through PMS, periods, perimenopause, menopause and other natural changes as women.  

Can CBD improve women's sex life?

Sexual pleasure is an essential part of many people's daily lives. Sex releases endorphins which stimulates feel-good and positive energy. As women, we specifically experience multiple factors which affect our sex drives, such as stress or anxiety due to natural changes within our bodies. Another example is vaginal dryness, which occurs during menopause for many women, resulting in painful sex. 

Natural changes we experience can negatively impact our mental health, increasing our anxiety and stress levels. Therefore, decreasing our libido. To have sex, most women typically need to feel relaxed and have a positive mindset. CBD comes into play here because it may allow us to become more calm and comfortable, decreasing the harmful effects of our stress hormones. Women also experience pain during penetration and vaginal dryness, often due to menopause. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to alleviate pain during sex. Furthermore, women have sought out CBD lubricants to aid their sex lives to make them feel more relaxed and enhance sensitivity. It is important to use CBD products specific as lubricants if you're interested in trying this to maintain vaginal balance. 

Can CBD improve skincare and haircare? 

During PMS, our estrogen and progesterone levels decline, causing breakouts. Menopause also dramatically affects women's skin. Skin can appear to be dry and lose firmness and elasticity because the loss of collagen starts to decrease rapidly. CBD may alleviate allergies, treat acne, and minimise dark spots for its anti-inflammatory properties. CBD also promotes cells to repair quicker and may encourage the skin to look much healthier. CBD is also said to boost keratine production, strengthening hair follicles for healthier hair. 

Which Puresativa CBD products do I swear by? 

I used to indulge in the OM Bath Salts to treat myself occasionally, but now I have worked them into my self-care routine at least once every week. When I started using the OM Bath Salts, I realised the value of self-care. Allowing myself to feel relaxed helped me reset my body and mind to seize the rest of the week. 

Om Wellness is a company that prioritises using the nourishing qualities derived from the cannabis plant to create therapeutic products. Their company consists of only women, highlighting the need for female empowerment and recognition within our industry. The CBD for their infused Epsom salts originates from a government-approved source in Colorado. Their Epsom bath salts with activated CBD are lab tested, free from chemicals, colours and preservers, making their products extremely safe near intimate places. 

The other product is the Conscious Being CBD isolate and organic superfood capsules. I currently have an X-Treme Recovery Conscious Being capsule every morning. Conscious Being uses organic superfoods and potent CBD isolate, which are said to work together to enhance the effects of the CBD isolate and the natural wellness superfoods. It's become a part of my daily routine, and I believe it keeps my body strong and mind positive. My last blog details each CBD product by Conscious Being and CBD isolate itself. 

To conclude...

As a woman, I believe it's essential to take care of our mental and physical health, especially when natural changes within our body occur. Unfortunately, CBD is a compound that needs more available research. However, as it grows, more information suggests how beneficial it can be for women. In addition, there are forums and podcasts open specific to women experiencing symptoms from natural changes where they share their experiences with CBD. Hopefully, the more knowledge we share can help each other through the emotional and physical pains we may be experiencing.