Unveiling the Potential Benefits of Cannabis for Endometriosis Symptoms

Chronic pelvic pain may be the first of many endometriosis symptoms that develop and worsen over time. Endometriosis can occur at any age, but endometriosis treatment is difficult for patients. Often the female reproductive system disease is caused by chronic inflammation in the female reproductive system.

While healthy menstrual cycles can last anywhere from 3-7 days, women with endometriosis can suffer extremely long periods. The chronic inflammatory condition is characterized by endometriosis-associated pain, which can vary from moderate to severe for many patients.

Endometriosis patients suffer a variety of symptoms, including chronic pain, overall pain sensitivity, anemia, and persistent mechanical abdominal hypersensitivity. It is a chronic painful disease with no known cure, so treating endometriosis centers around pain management.

For many patients, medical cannabis can provide pain relief, and more women are exploring medical marijuana as an alternative symptom management option instead of prescription medications which may cause worrisome side effects, unlike the effects of THC, which are well tolerated by most patients.

If you are suffering from endometriosis symptoms, and have been diagnosed by a doctor with chronic pelvic pain caused by excess endometrial tissue, here is what you need to know about the condition and other patients that have experienced efficacy relieving chronic pain with medical cannabis.

How Many American Women Have Endometriosis?

Yale Medicine says about 1 in 10 American women are diagnosed with endometriosis. What is most alarming is that according to Yale Medicine, most women suffer the condition for an average of ten years before a doctor will diagnose endometriosis.

That is because severe menstrual symptoms can be common and not caused by endometriosis. And unless a patient presses for diagnostic testing, they may not even know they have the condition. They may simply assume that they have “heavy periods” and abnormally painful cramps without understanding that it is a sign of a more serious condition.

Because there is no cure for endometriosis, many women undergo surgery. Ablation is a procedure that removes excess endometrial tissue and can provide temporary relief. However, with severe forms of endometriosis, the tissue grows aggressively and can regrow quickly, causing painful cramps in less than three months after an ablation procedure.

What Causes Endometriosis?

Endometriosis patients may wonder why they developed the problem, particularly if no one else in their family was diagnosed with it or previously experienced endometriosis pain. It is important to think of endometriosis as a chronic inflammatory condition for which there is no cure. But there are different treatment methods that can help provide pain relief.

There are several different conditions that may cause the development of endometriosis:

Retrograde Menstruation

Endometrial cells grow actively to create the tissue and lining that will protect the development of the ovum (egg) to the fully developed child in the womb. Depending on the shape and angle of the uterus, some of the menstrual tissue can flow backward into the pelvic cavity instead of being dispelled through the vagina.

Retrograde menstruation can also be caused by an injury to the pelvic area. Researchers are not sure why this occurs, but there is a correlation for patients who have small cervix openings, and there may also be a hereditary aspect to the problem.

Immune System Dysfunction

Clinical trials have shown that some people with endometriosis have disrupted immune cell functioning. There is a type of immune cell called “natural killer cells” that fight viruses and tumors. Some endometriosis patients have lower levels of natural killer cells, which can lead to the overgrowth of endometrial tissue.

Suppose the immune system does not eliminate endometrial tissues that are meant to be eliminated naturally. In that case, it can allow the tissue to implant, and cells will reproduce and grow outside the uterus. There may be a genetic link to this cellular malfunction, and although endometriosis is not classified as an autoimmune disorder, it can increase the risk of autoimmune diseases due to immune system imbalance.

Genetic Factors

Endometriosis can run in families, and the risks of inheriting the disease are typically higher if your mother or grandmother has developed the condition. In the most extensive global genetic study conducted on the endometrium in blood, researchers identified 42 genome variants that can increase the risk of endometriosis.

Hormonal Imbalances

When estrogen levels are abnormally high, hormonal imbalances can cause endometriosis. Women with endometriosis have high levels of estrogen, and estradiol regulates how uterine tissue grows. Increased sensitivity to estrogen can cause a chronic inflammatory condition that leads to the development of endometriosis.

Metaplasia

Metaplasia refers to cellular adaptation, or the reversible change in cell types responding to environmental conditions within the body. Chronic irritation or inflammation cause normal cells to become endometrial, spreading and growing in areas outside of the uterus.

Endometrial cysts can also develop. This happens when menstrual hormones trigger not only the tissues inside the uterus to bleed but also endometrial tissue located in other areas of the body. Menstrual blood and inflamed tissue can cause ovarian endometrioma.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for endometriosis, and many patients with severe symptoms opt for a hysterectomy procedure when other treatment methods have not provided improvement or relief from pain symptoms.

Can Endometriosis Spread to Other Areas of the Body?

Extrapelvic endometriosis cases involve endometrial tissue that spreads to areas including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel, and peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity). In rare cases, endometrial tissue can even spread to the lungs.

This can happen because abnormal endometrial cells can travel through the bloodstream and the lymphatic system and deposit in other areas of the body. However, the spread of the cells to regions far from the uterine area is extremely rare.

Common Endometriosis Symptoms

Some women suffer from painful menstrual symptoms but do not develop endometriosis. But endometriosis has some unique symptoms that you should know and discuss with your doctor if you begin to experience them.

Some of the most common endometriosis symptoms include:

Painful Menstruation (Dysmenorrhea)

Menstrual cramps are caused by natural contractions within the uterus. The purpose is to loosen, dislodge and expel unneeded endometrium when fertilization has not occurred. Excessive amounts of endometrial tissue means the uterus must contract more often and strongly in response to the extra tissue. That results in extremely painful cramps and menstruation for women with endometriosis.

Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain is one of the common endometriosis symptoms. It can feel like stabbing, sharp and randomized pain in the pelvic region or a persistent dull ache. Pain symptoms can also be felt in the lower back and thigh areas.

Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)

The abnormal endometrial tissue build-up can change the uterus’s position and internal reproductive alignment. That may cause intercourse to become painful. Endo belly describes the severe bloating that some women with endometriosis may experience. The inflammation caused by endometriosis symptoms can make sexual activities uncomfortable.

Painful Bowel Movements or Urination

Some patients with endometriosis report irregular bowel movements that can be accompanied by sharp pain and problems with constipation. This can be a sign that endometriosis is located in the bowels. Painful urination can also be a common side effect if endometrial tissue has developed in the bladder.

If the patient has endometriosis scar tissue caused by abnormal cell growth, it can stick to the outside of both the bladder and the bowel and cause problems.

Infertility or Difficulty Getting Pregnant

Endometriosis can lead to scar tissue (adhesions) that affects the fallopian tubes and ovaries, hindering the release of eggs and their movement through the fallopian tubes. This can make conception challenging.

Fatigue

Endometriosis causes chronic pain, and that can lead to sleep disruptions and insomnia. Because endometriosis can also cause more frequent bleeding, women can become iron deficient or suffer from anemia as a result. All these factors can cause chronic fatigue in women with endometriosis.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (Menorrhagia)

Endometriosis can cause increased formation of blood vessels or angiogenesis. The blood vessels can be more fragile and prone to excessive bleeding, which can cause heavier periods. Hormonal imbalances and chronic inflammation associated with endometriosis.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Did you know that gastrointestinal upset, including bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and chronic constipation, can also be related to endometriosis? According to some clinical trials, the symptoms of GI upset are more severe during menstruation.

Impaired Cognitive Function

It can be hard to focus and concentrate when chronic pelvic pain is a regular problem. Several clinical trials suggest that women with endometriosis can develop anxiety, and symptoms of depression, for a number of reasons. Coping with the pain, sleep disruption caused by discomfort and bleeding, and irregular hormonal fluctuations.

In some studies, acute THC administration produced favorable results, helping women sleep and improve overall mood and pain relief. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis (particularly strains with high CBD ratios) may also help reduce brain fog and associated symptoms.

Is Endometriosis Hereditary?

Yes, there is evidence to suggest that endometriosis can have a hereditary component. If a close female family member, such as a mother or sister, has been diagnosed with endometriosis, you might be at a higher risk of developing the condition yourself.

Research studies have shown that women with a first-degree relative (mother, sister) who has endometriosis are about 5 to 7 times more likely to develop the condition compared to those without a family history. This suggests that there might be genetic factors that contribute to the susceptibility to endometriosis.

However, while genetics can play a role, they are not the only factor at play. The exact interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors is still being studied. Other factors, such as hormonal imbalances, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to certain environmental toxins, may also contribute to the development of endometriosis.

It’s important to note that having a family history of endometriosis does not guarantee that you will develop the condition, and conversely, not having a family history does not eliminate the possibility of developing it.

If you have concerns about endometriosis, especially if you have a family history, it’s a good idea to discuss your risk factors and any symptoms with a healthcare provider. They can provide guidance on monitoring and managing your health.

Is Endometriosis a Qualifying Health Condition for Medical Cannabis?

While endometriosis does not appear on a state-qualifying health condition list for medical cannabis, patients who have been diagnosed with the disease may still be eligible. Most state medical marijuana programs allow chronic pain as a qualifying health condition. If the patient has experienced chronic intractable pain and other treatments have not helped manage the endometriosis symptoms, a physician may certify them for a medical card.

There are other associated symptoms that may also qualify a patient if a chronic pelvic pain diagnosis is not possible. For example, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are also strongly correlated with endometriosis. A patient may also qualify for a medical card based on other conditions related or unrelated to endometriosis symptoms.

One of the important things that a cannabis healthcare provider will ask is whether the patient has tried self-management strategies, prescription medications, or other therapies for endometriosis pain management. Suppose a patient has exhausted other therapeutic options and they have not found effective pain relief. In that case, that may be considered intractable pain, which is a qualifying health condition for medical cannabis in most states.

How Can Women With Endometriosis Use Cannabis to Help With Symptoms?

Endometriosis patients who are suffering from chronic pain cannot modify endometriosis symptoms. However, repeated THC treatment (with the guidance of a medical professional) may help improve quality of life.

Since there is no way to inhibit endometriosis development, the treatment focus centers on reducing the significant effects that symptoms have on the patient. Acute THC administration means the responsible use of medical cannabis as an aid in chronic pain settings.

Many women endure pain-related symptoms from endometriosis for decades before they seek surgical procedures like ablation and sometimes hysterectomy. The effects of THC may provide some relief from the common symptoms of the chronic inflammatory disease.

Low mood, fatigue, depression, irritability, and anxiety are other symptoms that endometriosis patients have to cope with. Some strains of cannabis may provide psychoactive effects that stimulate energy and provide periods of euphoria and relief from anxiety.

What Cannabis Strains May Work Best for Endometriosis Symptoms?

Many women who have tried treating endometriosis pain through conventional therapeutics often do not achieve the relief that they need. If you are qualified to get a medical cannabis card, you can explore different strains that may help you reduce endometriosis symptoms.

Strains of medical marijuana that may help with endometriosis pain relief and other symptoms are typically high in cannabidiol (CBD) content to assist with inflammation.

Some of the most popular strains used by women with endometriosis include:

• God’s Gift.
• Death Star.
• Cannatonic,
• Durga Mata.
• Charlotte’s Web.
• Critical Cure.
• Pure Love.

When looking for the best cannabis strains for endometriosis pain, research terpene content as well. Some of the best strains for endometriosis pain relief include inflammation-fighting and analgesic terpenes like limonene and myrcene. The good news is that high ratios of those two terpenes are commonly found in medical cannabis products and available at your local dispensary.

Treating endometriosis can be a difficult journey because often, as the condition progresses, the symptoms can worsen. Chronic pain symptoms can impair cognitive function and increase symptoms of anxiety and possibly depression. For some patients, cannabis can provide pain-relieving effects that can improve quality of life, cognitive function and make pelvic pain more tolerable.

The effects of THC may do more than help with endometriosis-associated pain; it may provide a mood and mental health boost when used with the guidance of a medical professional. If you cannot find medical cannabis that has high cannabidiol (CBD) ratios in your local area, you can take a clinical-grade CBD supplement daily.

What Type of Intake Routes Are Best for Endometriosis?

For localized pain and endometriosis treatment, women may want to explore THC-infused topicals. Applied directly on the skin, topicals react with the endocannabinoid system and can help reduce inflammation, which can provide some relief.

Sublingual uptake or using medical cannabis tinctures can be a convenient and effective route. Tinctures can be precisely measured in doses, which can help with endometriosis treatment, as patients can track the quantity used and time of day to learn what works best for them.

Cannabis consumption using sublingual uptake takes from thirty minutes to one hour for the effects of THC to be felt. Some women use tinctures before bed and may find THC-reduced pelvic pain helps them sleep better.

Medical cannabis edibles are also a popular choice. The effect of THC, when consumed through the digestive tract, can take up to 90 minutes before changes in pain sensitivity may be felt. But when THC is metabolized through digestion, relief from pain-related symptoms can also last from 5-7 hours.

About MedWell Health & Wellness Centers

Our practitioners at MedWell Health & Wellness believe in your right to explore alternative treatment options. With the guidance of our friendly team, many patients with an endometriosis diagnosis have experienced relief.

While more clinical research is needed to determine how medical cannabis works, patients share that the effects of THC significantly improve their quality of life. Schedule a telemedicine appointment with MedWell Health and Wellness Centers to start your journey and explore medical cannabis as a symptom management option.