The continued decriminalization and state-level legalization of cannabis have inspired medical researchers to explore how marijuana can help with a wide variety of conditions. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that women worldwide experience. Due to its relationship to the endocannabinoid system, researchers have begun investigating the possible benefits of medical cannabis for women with this disorder.
Here’s what experts know so far about marijuana and PCOS.
Medical Marijuana for Women with PCOS
Below, we cover what PCOS is, how physicians treat it, and what current research indicates regarding marijuana as a way to manage PCOS symptoms.
What Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
PCOS affects 4 to 20% of women around the globe and causes irregular hormone levels and enlarged polycystic ovaries characterized by the growth of fluid-filled sacs. This condition causes many unpleasant symptoms, including but not limited to the following:
- Irregular periods
- Exceptionally heavy menstruation
- Pelvic pain
- Infertility
- Weight gain
- Trouble losing weight
- Hirsutism (male-like body and facial hair growth)
- Hair loss
- Skin tags and skin darkening
- Oily skin and acne
Women with PCOS also have a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and other ailments.
Healthcare professionals don’t know what causes this condition, although research points to some potential factors like genetics, inflammation, and excess levels of insulin and androgens (male sex hormones) in the body. Researchers have also found overexpression of CB1 receptors in the adipose tissue (body fat) of women with PCOS.
How Do Doctors Treat PCOS?
Healthcare professionals treat PCOS symptoms in various ways, but no cure exists because researchers do not fully understand the condition. Physicians often recommend regular exercise and a healthy diet to reduce PCOS symptoms like weight gain.
If the woman does not want to get pregnant, her doctor may prescribe birth control to regulate hormone levels and relieve PCOS symptoms. Unfortunately, birth control bills may cause other unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects, such as stomach pain, chest pain, depression, seizures, and liver disorder. The use of birth control also increases a woman’s risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
Can Medical Marijuana Help Women with PCOS?
If you struggle with an irregular menstrual period and have a PCOS diagnosis, you may find symptom relief using medical cannabis. Not many studies have been done on marijuana and PCOS, but the relationship between the reproductive and endocannabinoid systems suggests THC and CBD may help regulate the female reproductive system and relieve PCOS symptoms.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of chemical receptors and endocannabinoids found in all kinds of human tissues, including the brain and throughout the body. Scientists don’t fully understand this system, but a study in the Journal of Ovarian Research indicates a clear connection between the ECS and the female reproductive system.
According to experts, the ECS affects how cells develop into fertilizable eggs inside the ovaries as well as the secretion of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Medical cannabis may help relieve PCOS symptoms by helping to regulate the ECS—cannabinoids found in marijuana bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
PCOS is not a qualifying condition listed in the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, but women who struggle with this condition may find relief if they have medical cannabis cards for other qualifying ailments, such as chronic pain, HIV, or ulcerative colitis, to name a few.
Find Relief from PCOS Symptoms with Medical Cannabis
More research is needed to fully understand how marijuana and PCOS relate, but medical cannabis may help regulate the female reproductive system and relieve symptoms. Many people use medical marijuana for chronic pain, inflammation, and many other ailments.
If you’re looking for a medical marijuana dispensary in Mississippi, visit LeafMed. We’re a doctor-owned entity offering a wide range of cannabis products at three locations across the state. Come see us in Bay St. Louis, Vicksburg, or Gulfport, MS, to shop for edibles, pre-rolls, topicals, and more.