Someone tried to tell me that they don't have menstrual cycle PMS in other countries.
I almost decided to display some monthly "symptoms" their way...Early!
There is documented research on a host of physiological and neurological ebbs and flows that accompany the monthly cycle.
Hormones are powerful things!
Check out our full review estradiol here.
Just taking away estradiol and weight increased by 25%. On the same caloric intake!!
Just look at the topsy turvy upheaval of puberty and perimenopause.
Huge cycles that last years.
- Same players at work.
- Same hormones.
The body and brain don't really like "change" when it comes to hormones.
They are so powerful and tied into every aspect of our body!
- Mood
- Energy
- Pain
- Clarity of thought
- Ambition
- Sleep
Heck...your body temperature is controlled partially by hormones.
Some women seem to be able to adjust to the monthly cycle of progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone with ease.
Other ladies get walloped!
This is a function of genetics, diet, stress, and other environmental factors.
There is some good news.
No, we're not talking about cinnamon, dried apricots, and pelvic tilts.
Let's introduce CBD to your monthly cycle.
New research is showing impressive results but the anecdotal stories from girlfriend to girlfriend tells it all.
Let's see what's anecdote, what's research, and most importantly….what works.
Your monthly cycle and hormones
First, a lay of the monthly cycle land.
There's a carefully (usually) scripted dance of hormones that cycle each month.
This is the primary driver of the cycle (if we discount full moons, mother-in-laws, and re-runs of Love Actually).
Let's focus just on estrogen and progesterone.
There are huge swings in these hormones during the month.
You think of them only as sex or reproductive hormones but they are SO much more.
Progesterone impacts the following:
- Strengthening of bones
- Boosts metabolism and energy
- Effects on cravings, rewards, and decision making
- Aids in good sleep and calms mood
- Benefits smooth skin and hair growth
- Lighten periods
- Fights against autoimmune over-response
- Protects against different kinds of female cancers
- Acts as a muscle relaxant
You can find more detail here:
https://www.larabriden.com/superpowers-benefits-progesterone/
Progesterone spikes after the period and then flatlines mid-cycle.
What about estrogen?
Maybe even important.
First, there are three different kinds of estrogen (please tell your doctor to request a Dutch test or equivalent so you can actually see them broken out).
Estrogen gets a bad rap.
Talk about a history of misinformation!
It's incredibly important to your body's healthy function and directly impacts the monthly cycle.
Estrogen:
- Builds and strengthens bones
- Slows aging
- Raises libido
- Enhances insulin sensitivity
- Boosts Serotonin (just a bit important for mood and sleep)
Check out how CBD affects serotonin for anxiety here.
So Progesterone and Estrogen are a little important.
They also cycle significantly during the month with large drops and rises.
Check out the histamine connection with estrogen article (and CBD).
So what about endocannabinoids and hormones?
Endocannabinoids and hormones
Enter the lady's endocannabinoid system.
We all have one!
It runs throughout our bodies and has the important task of balancing:
- Hormones
- Neurotransmitters
- Immune response
Did you catch the first one?
Hormones
Research is showing that the endocannabinoid system helps to balance the endocrine system which makes and uses hormones.
The fact that it also helps to balance neurotransmitters (like Serotonin) and immune response is a bonus for PMS.
Enough enough. Let's look at CBD and the monthly cycle.
CBD and monthly cycle symptoms
Let's look at the common symptoms of PMS:
- Cramps and menstrual pain
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Mood swings
- Low sex drive
- Tenderness of the breasts
Okay...okay...we know these all too well!
What does CBD do?
Aside from the extensive research of CBD helping to balance hormones and neurotransmitters, let's get into specific please.
CBD for menstrual pain and cramps
CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
It also has a strong analgesic effect which means it reduces pain in the body.
You can learn all about CBD and pain here or better yet, CBD perimenopausal pain here.
Afterall, perimenopause is essentially a monthly cycle stretched out (thank you Mother Nature!).
To get to the root of PMS symptoms, we really have to look at a specific set of hormone-like chemicals.
The menstrual cramps and pain are primarily caused by an increase in prostaglandins during the cycle.
Guess which cannabinoid was shown to reduce prostaglandins…
You guessed right… CBD!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18556441
It also helps to produce less of the prostaglandins to begin with:
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01444.x
Most importantly, CBD does not have the nasty side-effects of NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Motrin, etc).
We went a bit nuts researching the connection between CBD and common pain meds like Tylenol and NSAIDs here.
High levels of prostaglandins are also tied to heavy bleeding, diarrhea, and vascular constriction.
The primary culprit is a prostaglandin called PGF2⍺.
Research is showing the endocannabinoid system directly reduces these levels.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960076017301887
It goes deeper than that…
We know they're directly tied to PMS symptoms but what exactly are prostaglandins?
Get this...they are inflammatory agents at sites of tissue damage (as in uterine lining being removed).
Inflammation is soooo in the wheelhouse of CBD's effect.
You can learn all about it's effect here.
Finally, the headspace symptoms of PMS.
CBD for menstrual anxiety, depression, and mood swings
CBD has a powerful effect on mood.
There are countless studies on its impact on anxiety, depression, and neurotransmitters.
Check out just the effects on anxiety here.
The cause-effect relationship between hormones and neurotransmitters is well documented.
- Estrogen and Serotonin (the well-being chemical).
- Progesterone and GABA (the calming chemical).
Check out CBD and serotonin or CBD and GABA for more research.
There's another hormone that most people don't talk about.
It's incredibly important to women!
And even more important with CBD.
Histamine!
We'll touch base but you can learn all about histamines and CBD here.
The key is that you want the cleanest CBD with high enough levels to help with PMS symptoms.
We DESIGNED Indigo Naturals to meet the needs of women.
By women. For women.
Please let others know what works below - what dosages, how often, when taken, etc!
Sisters helping sisters!
Always work with a doctor or naturopath with any supplement!
The information provided here is not intended to treat an illness or substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.