More women are turning to cannabis to relieve endometriosis pain. Illustration by the author.
Endometriosis is a painful condition that impacts millions of women and girls worldwide . It impacts about 10% of reproductive-age women . There is currently no known cure. It happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing severe cramps, heavy periods, and sometimes fertility problems. Many women find that painkillers or hormones don’t provide enough relief .
Because of this, many turn to cannabis. They report that it eases pain, helps them sleep, and improves quality of life . But most women can’t access it legally and have to rely on unregulated sources, which can be unsafe because the strength of THC or CBD can vary widely, and the products may contain harmful substances.
A 2023 study by Klotz, Dwyer, Haines, Arora, and Vashisht, “A Dose of Relief? Self-Reported Effectiveness of Cannabis for Endometriosis,” found that many women reported real pain relief and better wellbeing, but nearly all were using unregulated sources, showing the ongoing safety issue.
If cannabis is proven to be effective for endometriosis pain, why isn’t it regulated for medical use? Regulation would ensure safe, tested products and allow doctors to guide patients on dosage and use . Women shouldn’t have to risk their health just to manage their pain .
References:
Klotz, L., Dwyer, M., Haines, R., Arora, S., & Vashisht, R. (2023) . A Dose of Relief? Self-Reported Effectiveness ofCannabis for Endometriosis . ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
World Health Organization (WHO) . (2023). Endometriosis. WHO Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/endometriosis .