Written By: Jenny LeBlanc, CTE Moncton.

Did you know that approximately 75-85% of women experience hormone and cycle-related symptoms every month about 2 weeks before their period?

Increased irritability, depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue, exhaustion, insomnia, night sweats, bloating, weight gain and many more undesired symptoms. The onset timing can vary and last the whole 2 weeks right up until the first few days of the menstrual cycle.

Can you imagine feeling like this for 2 full weeks every single month? That’s 50% of the time, until you get to welcome the nasty M word. That’s right, Menopause.

Most women have or will experience Premenstrual syndrome (“PMS”) in their lifetime, and Women in their third decade are more likely to experience Premenstrual syndrome. But there’s a smaller percentage of women (approx. 5-6%) who suffer from a far more severe form of PMS called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Think of it like PMS on steroids.

Women who are diagnosed with PMDD have a greater number and a higher severity of symptoms. These symptoms can be very disruptive in day-to-day life and activities such as work, relationships, friendships, and parenting. Women diagnosed with PMDD tend to miss more work, school, or social activities due to their symptoms. Irritability and depression can be very intense for women suffering from PMDD. Mood changes are severe. Extreme anxiety, panic attacks, depression, intense sadness, suicidal thoughts, anger, irritability, lack of interest in people and things normally enjoyed, crying spells, and fluctuating moods are all possible symptoms reported by women affected by PMDD. It may also cause tiredness, fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating, binge eating/food cravings, insomnia, cramps, bloating, headaches and migraines, breast tenderness, and stomach problems such as constipation and/or diarrhea.

Researchers believe PMS/PMDD occurs just days after you ovulate due to progesterone and estrogen levels starting to decrease. Symptoms of PMS tend to go away a few days after you start your period once your hormone levels begin to rise again. Typical treatment for PMS/PMDD can be a variety of different pharmaceuticals like NSAIDS, antidepressants, diuretics, hormonal contraceptives, herbal supplements such as raspberry leaf, vitamins, lifestyle changes, diet changes, and more.

While antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives work for most people, for others it may cause even more undesired side effects like weight gain, mood swings, anxiety, depression, lack of libido, and more. Some of the most prescribed medications for depression are known to increase depression and/or cause suicidal thoughts in some patients.

How can Cannabis help?

Women’s natural cannabinoid cycling of anandamide (AEA) peaks around ovulation and is at its lowest during menstruation. Meaning, during ovulation there is more AEA in the uterus than anywhere else in the body. Supplementation with cannabinoids can help ease inflammation, moodiness, and irritability.

Research shows, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for PMS can works as a muscle relaxant. THC can even be applied topically via a transdermal patch or cannabis-infused cream to find relief if you don’t want the psychoactive effects or cerebral high that THC can cause. Cannabis is also a known treatment for headaches. It has been shown to help with treatment-resistant migraines and cluster headaches. Did you know women have recently found cannabis suppositories successful for their discomforts too?

As holistic and natural approaches become increasingly more available, marijuana use for PMS & PMDD as an alternative to anti-depressants, pain medication and sleeping pills has become a popular topic for symptom relief. If used correctly, almost every form of cannabis can be used to help regulate unwanted symptoms.

When using cannabis for PMDD, women should consider the THC to CBD ratio in products, the type of strain based on their symptoms and what they are trying to achieve for relief, as well as the time of day they are consuming it. (Indica, Sativa, or hybrid). A sativa dominant strain for example, is uplifting and energizing, meant for daytime use to help boost energy levels and mood to keep you active and motivated whereas an Indica strain will provide more of a calm body sensation and is meant more for relaxation, calmness and improving sleep therefore, best used in the evening. Caution, Indica strains that are high in myrcene may cause a “couchlock” effect if too much is consumed in high doses, and Sativa strains high in pinene could increase anxiety, paranoia, and rapid heartbeat.

CBD can help with anxiety and THC can help with mood swings, irritability, and the ability to handle stress. They can also help relax the uterine muscle, to alleviate symptoms like cramping, bloating. But if you don’t like the altered feeling of THC, you can still get some relief just by using CBD.

Here are some strains that have been reported by women to help relieve PMS and PMDD symptoms:

Blue Dream, Obama Kush, Sour Diesel, Black cherry cheesecake, Dutch treat, Chernobyl, Bubba Kush, White Elephant, Blueberry AK, White Durban, Mango Haze and Tangerine Dream.

It is important to also consider a variety of lifestyle changes that can also help reduce symptoms, such as stress management techniques, relaxation, healthy eating, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly. Modifying your diet by eating smaller meals more frequent to prevent excessive bloating, limiting salty food to reduce fluid retention and bloating, eating calcium rich food, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as well as avoiding alcohol and caffeine are all things that can help.

Some ways to reduce stress are massage, exercising, practicing yoga or even just deep breathing, relaxation and getting plenty of sleep. Keeping a journal of your symptoms for several months can be very beneficial in identifying triggers to work with your healthcare provider in finding a treatment plan or strategy that works for you. There are also phone apps that can help you track your patterns as well.

The International Association of Premenstrual Disorders has a self assessment to help track symptoms if you think you may have PMDD.

If you would like more information or feel that cannabis would be beneficial to help treat your symptoms of PMS/PMDD, talk to your healthcare provider, and contact one of our clinics to meet with a nurse specialized in cannabinoid therapy education to help you find a treatment plan based on your needs and goals.