Women often feel cramps or other sensations when they have their period. These painful sensations are called menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea. 

Menstrual cramps can affect your mood, your daily routine, or cause discomfort? Can CBD be your relief from period pains? If so How much CBD should you take? Read till the end.

What causes menstrual cramps?

When the body discovers you are not going to carry a baby, it stops producing the progesterone hormone. It then withdraws what it can from the endometrium which shrinks the tissue and cuts blood flow to its arteries. Without a proper blood supply, your endometrial tissue prepares to shade and you are likely to start experiencing pain.

Also with a decrease in progesterone is an increase in inflammatory chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins create inflammations, pain sensitization, vasoconstriction of blood vessels that inhibits blood flow to the endometrial tissue, and uterine contractions. This can also lead to period pains.

How can CBD help treat menstrual cramps?

CBD binds directly to CB1 receptors found all over your body including the abdomen, back, and thighs where the pains are normally felt. Scientists have found that using CBD can inhibit the prostaglandin- producing enzyme. This can alleviate menstrual cramps.

Other studies indicate that CBD can help you deal with menstrual cramps in the following ways:

Relieving pain – CBD can desensitize pain perceiving nerves which reduces pain sensation.
Relaxing muscles – menstrual cramps are started by contractions of the smooth muscle lining the uterus. CBD targets receptors found in the muscle tissue to relax contractions.

Increasing blood flow to the endometrial tissue – CBD activates smooth muscles lined in the blood vessels to relax which increases blood flow. When blood flow increases, more oxygen is supplied that decreases the menstrual cramps.

What is the appropriate CBD dose for menstrual cramps?

Overdosing CBD oil can lead to side effects such as lightheadedness, drowsiness, and dry mouth. On the other hand, underdosing CBD may not be effective. That is why it is significant to take CBD in the right dose.

There are many pharmacists or doctors in clinics who can prescribe the appropriate CBD dose to meet your ailments like menstrual cramps. While they recommend between 30mg to 50mg of CBD in a single dose for starters, it is important to seek their help before using CBD.

How to choose the best CBD brand for treating your menstrual cramps.

Finding a CBD brand that is your safe, economical, and effective in treating menstrual cramps is an uphill task for many women. The following guidelines have proved to be very effective in choosing your brand.

Check whether the product is made using broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or isolate CBD oil. Full-spectrum oil contains all the molecules and compounds found in hemp including the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Broad-spectrum oil contains the whole profile of the hemp plant apart from THC. Thus broad-spectrum oil is less likely to get you high. CBD Isolate oil contains purely CBD. CBD isolate can be the most effective for your cramps but since broad and full spectrum oil have other compounds they can have other benefits that CBD Isolate oil doesn’t.

Examine whether the CBD product has undergone third-party lab testing and it has a certificate of analysis from this third party lab test. This is important in determining whether the product or brand is either substandard or standard.
Study testimonials. Some women who have used a particular CBD brand for their menstrual cramps leave testimonials or product reviews online. Keenly study these testimonials to determine your favorite brand.

How to take CBD for menstrual cramps?

Different CBD products imply that CBD is administered differently. The different ways of taking can affect the CBD effect on menstrual cramps in terms of speed of relief (bioavailability).

The following CBD products can be used when taking CBD for menstrual cramps:

CBD tropicals – these include gels, lotions, creams, and balms infused with CBD. they are normally rubbed on the skin areas that ache during menstruation.

Vaping oil – it is taken using a vape device/ vape pen. This device uses electric power to heat the CBD oil to vapor. It contains a rechargeable battery to provide power, a cartridge to hold CBD oil, and a mouthpiece that directs the vapor to the nostrils. Vaping is the most bioavailable method as the CBD goes directly into blood circulation via the lungs.

Vaginal suppositories – there are a number of vaginal suppositories containing CBD that help treat menstrual cramps. They are usually deposited into the vagina where they become absorbed.

CBD tinctures or products – these products come in liquid form. To achieve the best bioavailability you can drop them under your tongue and hold for 30 to 60 seconds. You can also swallow them.

CONCLUSION

You now have all the knowledge on dosage and methods of taking CBD when undergoing menstrual cramps. Therefore you are advised to follow all the guidelines provided above.