CBD in menopause | what is it and could it help with controlling symptoms?

Guest post from Dragonfly CBD.  My blog post today is a guest article written by Dragonfly CBD.  They got in touch and asked if I would like to try out some CBD Oil and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to find out more about it and to ask if taking CBD Oil can be a helpful way to manage some of our menopause symptoms.  

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What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, also known as ‘CBD’ is a compound found in the same plant that produces cannabis. Unlike the chemical in marijuana which gets you “high”, ‘THC’, it does not have any psychoactive effects at all. It also doesn’t have the same negative side effects that cannabis does, such as withdrawal and tolerance.

CBD is entirely different from smoking, and the World Health Organisation has stated that you cannot get addicted to it. In fact, CBD can give you many benefits such as pain and anxiety relief, without any of the unpleasant effects. 

Whilst to date there have been no studies analysing the effects of CBD exclusively on menopausal symptoms, there have been many carried out on associated issues. 

Menopausal symptoms and CBD

CBD and Sleep

As the quality of our sleep can be a great indicator of our overall health, it’s no wonder that menopause can cause sleep issues. They’re so common in menopause that a staggering 40% of women in their late 40’s to early 50’s experiencing sleep complaints. 

Sleep improvement is one of the most popular benefits of CBD Oil. A study by Dragonfly CBD found that 27% of customers used CBD Oil mainly to aid sleep. It’s theorised that CBD improves sleep by affecting the release of cortisol, a stress hormone which is high in those with insomnia at night. Cortisol levels have been shown to decrease significantly after taking CBD, showing its potential for acting as a sleep aid. This same clinical study found that 66% of participants reported their sleep improving! These scores fluctuated over time, but its benefits are clear- leading to use by many with insomnia.  

​Menopausal Anxiety 

One of the reasons why so many people use CBD Oil before bed is also because it can be great to calm your mind. This can be really useful for those that experience with racing thoughts while struggling to get to sleep, and those with menopausal anxiety.

The fluctuations in hormones around this time lead to many women experiencing issues with anxiety during menopause. This is typically down to large changes in levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. On top of this, public anxiety levels are currently at all-time high following months of lockdown. 

A study of Dragonfly CBD customers found more people using CBD for anxiety than any other issue, with over 35% taking it for anxiety or stress. It’s not fully understood exactly how CBD helps anxiety, but it’s proposed that it has an impact on the central nervous system. One study that was carried out on mice even found that CBD had an antidepressant-like effect. Whilst more evidence is needed, the large number of testimonies from those that suffer from anxiety is a testament to it’s potential.  

Cognitive Function 

Around the time that women enter menopause, many report experiencing issues with memory. As memory issues are more common with age, neuroprotection is a common concern of anyone that’s getting older. The Journal of Neurochemistry has found that CBD is both neuroprotective and an anti-oxidative: protecting your body from damage caused by unstable reactive molecules in your brain and body. The study concluded that CBD use had resulted in a higher rate of cell survival- and whilst more studies are needed, many scientists recognise the great promise of CBD for preventing neurodegeneration. 

Digestive Aid

Many women going through menopause also report new digestive problems. This is as hormone changes disrupt the gut’s natural rhythm. Much like in the rest of the body, any digestive issues during menopause are down to inflammation. Studies on mice with intestinal inflammation has shown that CBD Oil relieves their pain and gut inflammation- although it must be noted that human studies are still needed. CBD has been found to inhibit inflammatory pain, which is considered as one of the most difficult types to treat. It also reduces gastric acid secretion and inflammation, which is promising for those with acid reflux issues and IBS. This makes CBD a great source of relief for those suffering with digestive problems during menopause, or at any stage of their life! 

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Accepting it is still cold, I have had to revert back to coated jeans (from Next) and a jumper (The White Company)!

I have been adding CBD Oil to my daily routine for a couple. of weeks now, it is still early days and I am always loathe to announce dramatic benefits on my blog from any supplement as everyone is different and it is impossible to judge specific improvements.  I take the recommended dose in the morning to help support me with anxiety and the recent feelings of overwhelm. 
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Dragonfly CBD Oil is available to purchase via Amazon here, or on the Dragonfly CBD website here.

Love from
Michelle xx

Disclaimer:  this is a guest post and contains affiliate links.  Dragonfly CBD gifted me one bottle of their CBD oil to try out.

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