Considered a drug, cannabis could nevertheless help menopausal women, according to a new study.
- According to a study, 40% of the 5,000 women surveyed had already used cannabis for recreational and therapeutic purposes.
- 6% used it specifically for menopause-related ailments.
- Cannabis is a drug that increases the risk of developing several diseases.
Between the ages of 45 and 55, all women face menopause, that is to say the moment when their periods stop permanently. This is often accompanied by very unpleasant symptoms.
Cannabis to combat menopausal symptoms
To relieve their symptoms, more and more women in their forties are consuming cannabis. In any case, this is the conclusion of a new study presented during the annual conference of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) which took place in Philadelphia (United States), from September 27 to 30, 2023.
In seven out of ten women according to health insurance, hormonal changes can cause hot flashes or flushing. They can also suffer from night sweats, vulvovaginal dryness or even urinary problems.
According to the researchers, 40% of the 5,000 women surveyed had already used cannabis for recreational and therapeutic purposes and 6% used it specifically for ailments linked to menopause.
“We know that cannabis products are marketed to women to manage menopause symptoms, and these findings suggest that midlife women are turning to cannabis for menopause symptoms and other common issues in the menopause transitionexplains Dr. Carolyn Gibsonlead author of the study, psychologist and health services researcher the University of California at San Francisco. However, it is still difficult to say that this consumption is solely linked to this change in hormonal cycle.”
Even to treat menopause, cannabis remains a dangerous drug
In previous study, also led by Dr. Carolyn Gibson, researchers had already shown that one in four postmenopausal women, among the 232 surveyed, used cannabis to relieve menopausal symptoms.
“This study highlights a somewhat alarming trend and the need for more research into the potential risks and benefits of cannabis use for managing bothersome menopausal symptoms“, explained Dr. Stéphanie Faubion, medical director of NAMS, in 2020.
Even though, for some women, cannabis use can reduce the pain associated with menopause, this substance remains a drug. According to the Léon Berard Cancer Centerit increases the risks of cancer, lung diseases and even psychological disorders.
So, if the symptoms of menopause are too severe, it is better to talk to your doctor who will offer you less dangerous solutions.
