CBD for PMS and Period Cramps

No woman on planet earth deserves the frustrations and pains associated with PMS and period cramps. Yet, each month an estimated 90 percent of us experience PMS and 80 percent of suffer from period cramps. Between 5 and 10 percent get cramps so badly it completely disrupts our lives.

It all begins during ovulation, when the ovary releases an egg into your uterus. This process can be painful due to extra fluid released and the egg bursting out of the follicle.

A few days later there’s a hormone shift that sees a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone. During this period, the PMS blues can set in –  then, seven to 14 days later your uterus lining begins to shed. This is when things can become frustratingly painful for the large majority of women.

PMS SYMPTOMS DEFINED 

PMS is a mix of physical and emotional symptoms that begin right after ovulation and prior to the start of your period. Following ovulation your estrogen and progesterone levels start dropping.

 

When this happens, you may experience:

• Swollen or tender breasts
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Headaches and backaches
• Clumsiness
• Lower tolerance for loud noises and bright lights
• Irritability
• Exhaustion
• Sleep disturbances
• Food cravings
• Mood swings
• Low sex drive
• Depression

 

The severity of PMS varies from person to person, which has inspired researchers to understand why. Could it be that there is something the medical community has missed for decades? Is it possible that a bunch of scientists researching cannabis and THC back in the 90s stumbled on something more profound than they ever imagined?

The answer seems to be yes… they discovered the Endocannabinoid system, which is one of the hottest topics in health science today.

 

COULD YOUR ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM (ECS) PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR PMS AND PERIOD CRAMPS?

Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a relatively newly discovered system of endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid receptors, and enzymes that tell your body how to function, regulate itself, and function. We all have an ECS, but some of us have more active systems than others.

Reachers have wanted to find out why, so they’ve been in a race against time to figure out how it all works.

In 2016, researchers published a study in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine that said, “The female reproductive system and ECS are intricately linked,” and wildly enough, the highest concentration of endocannabinoid anandamide (one of the two endocannabinoids that have been discovered in the body so far) can be found in the uterus.

So, in theory, if our endocannabinoid systems aren’t performing well, we are more likely to suffer from PMS, painful period cramps, and other potentially debilitating mental and physical challenges related to our hormones.

There have even been initial studies pointing to the ECS being linked to premature menopause, and possibly cancers related to similar issues.

 

CAN CBD HELP PMS AND PERIOD CRAMPS?

Researchers have already discovered that CBD interacts your ECS in a beautiful way.

When you ingest CBD or use it as a topical your CB1 receptors are stimulated. This increases levels of endocannabinoid 2-AG (a naturally occuring endocannabinoid in your body) and keeps it from breaking down. This boost appears to promote hormone balance, reduced inflammation, and reduced anxiety.

If you’re looking for CBD to make a noticed difference in your daily life, you may consider supplementing your diet. There are many methods for taking CBD by mouth including via CBD tincture, capsule, chocolates, and CBD gummies. They come in a variety of types and strengths, which you’ll need to evaluate based on your weight and sensitivity levels.

If you’d rather just use CBD during PMS and your period, you can also benefit from edibles and capsules, which will help target painful cramps and bring on a greater sense of ease. For targeted pain, CBD cream topicals can make a relatively quick difference. Rub them on your abdomen and lower back as needed.

Most CBD topicals include other helpful essential oils and elements like arnica to target pain. When combined with targeted essential oils and other inflammation properties, the effectiveness of CBD is magnified.

And then you can’t forget CBD bath bombs. If you’re seeking complete relaxation and pain control, jumping into a hot steaming bath with a soothing CBD bath bomb can lead to an immediate shift from pain and discomfort to bliss.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCE, PMS AND YOUR PERIOD

Let’s face it, women are pulled in numerous directions on a daily basis. If we’re going to thrive, we’ve got to seek constant balance.

It’s about getting the right nutrients, getting enough sleep, moving our bodies regularly, and taking time throughout our days to destress.

A healthy Endocannabinoid System requires that we care for ourselves and think deeply about what we’re putting into our bodies.

Yes, it’s true, sometimes life moves forward at a pace that we can’t keep up with, and we can find all the excuses in the world for not taking care of ourselves.

But…

We’ve got to remember what emerging research has to say about being overstressed. Our reproductive systems and hormone levels are directly impacted. The more you can do to boost your ECS, the more likely your PMS symptoms and period cramps will improve over time.

 

HOW BLUSH WELLNESS CAN HELP WITH PMS AND PERIOD CRAMPS 

At Blush wellness, we’ve thought deeply about the challenges that women face. We’ve seen ourselves, our sisters, our friends, and our colleagues struggle with the ups and downs surrounding the reproductive system.

When we began to harness the power of CBD, we looked high and low for REAL and HEALTHY solutions for women. The results of our efforts is an entire line of CBD products for PMS and period cramps including topicals, edibles, bath bombs, and vape oils.

Each product is pure, powerful and targets specific issues like pain, inflammation, anxiety, sleeplessness, and hormone fluctuation.

Want to find out which Blush Wellness CBD products would work best for your PMS and Period issues?