CBD for Period Pain: Can It Help With Menstrual Cramps?

For most women, period pain is a normal part of life, with most of us experiencing menstrual cramps at some point. Unfortunately, for some, period pain can hinder their daily activities to the point where they need to take some form of pain relief to ease the pain.

Typically, doctors recommend pain relievers like ibuprofen to help ease menstrual cramps. But with more of us turning to more natural medicines in recent years, some women have turned to CBD for period pain, with promising results!

Before we dive into sharing our findings, it’s worth noting that period pain can occur for some women due to underlying conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, or endometriosis. A recent study on women suffering from endometriosis revealed that they witnessed significant pain relief after taking CBD, which is hugely promising, but more studies are needed to confirm how effective this may be. 

So if you are struggling with extreme period pain, we recommend seeing your GP to rule out any underlying conditions such as these.

Can CBD help with period pain relief?

While there are no specific studies that determine the effectiveness of CBD for period pain relief, there are plenty of studies showing the efficacy of taking CBD for pain relief in general.

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that should help with uncomfortable symptoms such as headaches, breast tenderness, pelvic pain, back pain and menstrual cramps. These benefits come from CBD reacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system, specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Period cramps are caused by inflammatory hormones called prostaglandins. During your menstrual period, prostaglandins trigger uterine muscle contractions, which cause pain and inflammation. If you produce more of this hormone, you’ll likely experience more menstrual cramps. 

Prescription painkillers, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, work by limiting the production of prostaglandins. These drugs bind to your brain’s COX receptors, thus minimising period cramps. CBD, unlike Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), doesn’t affect the production of prostaglandins. Instead, they stimulate the release of dopamine (feel-good) hormone in the brain.

We suggest you consult your GP if you’re experiencing extreme period pain or cramps. We also don’t recommend you replace prescribed painkillers with CBD products unless you find CBD effective at managing your period pain on its own.

What’s the best CBD for period pain relief?

With so many options available, choosing the best CBD oil for period pain relief can be confusing. These factors will help you narrow down your choices to find the best CBD for period pain relief to support you.

• Administration Method
• Dosage
• Brand

Let’s look at these in a bit more detail.

Administration Method

• Oral CBD products such as CBD oils, gummies and capsules offer general pain relief but can take longer for you to feel the side effects.
• Topical CBD offers localised pain relief and users often feel the benefits quicker than oral CBD products. These products include CBD patches and gels.
• CBD suppositories offer localised pain relief and have a higher absorption rate than oral and topical CBD.

Dosage

When you start using CBD for period pain relief, we recommend you begin with the lowest strength and work your way up, if needed, until you find out the best dose for you. You can learn more about CBD oil strengths and work out the ideal dosage for you in our CBD oil strengths guide.

Brand 

Low-quality CBD products can cause undesirable effects such as diarrhoea, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth. We recommend that you only buy from reputable brands, such as ourselves, who source high-quality CBD and comply with UK laws.

At Prym Health, we only sell vegan-friendly, non-GMO, THC-free, and lab-tested CBD products. 

Here’s our roundup of the best CBD products for period pain relief to help ease pain during your menstrual cycle. 

Best CBD Suppositories for Period Pain Relief

Thanks to their high bioavailability, CBD suppositories have an absorption rate of up to 40%, which makes them much more effective for using CBD for localised pain relief. As period pains are localised and suppositories are inserted vaginally or rectally, this makes them highly effective in providing targeted relief for menstrual cramps.

Best CBD Patches for Period Cramps

CBD patches offer localised relief, so our customers like to use them on their lower abdomen for menstrual cramp relief.

You simply apply the CBD patch on a hair-free part of your body and should feel targeted pain relief for a whole day. You can feel the effects of CBD for over 12 hours with only one patch, and it can even be left on overnight. 

We have CBD period patches in two strengths – the 16mg and the 24mg. We recommend that you start with the lowest strength before you can try the 24mg dosage. 

Best CBD Oil for Menstrual Cramps

You can also use CBD oil for menstrual pain relief, and at Prym Health, we consider ourselves your go-to solution if you’re looking for the best CBD oil for PMS symptoms!

We have premium CBD oil in two strengths. Our CBD oil drops – 600mg is the lowest dosage which you can take 2-4 drops twice a day. We recommend starting with this lower dosage before trying a stronger one. 

We also have the  CBD drops- 1200mg dosage, ideal for those looking to relieve period pain with a stronger dose. 

Best CBD Gummies for Period Pain

If you don’t like the tarty taste of CBD oil, our CBD gummies will give you the same benefits and are infused with multivitamins. Each gummy contains 5mg of CBD, and we recommend that you start by taking only one gummy a day and working your way up until you find a suitable dosage for your desired pain relief. 

So, does CBD help with period pain relief?

CBD works for period pain just like it does for chronic pain and tooth pain. While studies on the efficacy of CBD for menstrual pain relief are still limited, women who have tried it have experienced promising results. 

At Prym Health, we’re passionate about providing CBD products that help make a difference to your health and wellness. Shop our full range of CBD products to see for yourself!