CBD & Endometriosis

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common condition, where tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb  (endometrium) is found in other parts of the body; it may be present in the fallopian tubes, ovaries and inside the stomach, and even inside or outside the bladder. It may affect anyone with a uterus of childbearing age, but is less common in those who have gone through menopause. Every month when hormones that lead you to shed the lining of your uterus as a period, those hormones also affects the buildup of endometrium, affecting other parts of the body and breaking down the extra lining which then has nowhere to go.


For those who suffer from endometriosis, finding relief from the associated pain can be just as trying as dealing with the uncomfort itself. Some few are lucky enough to bypass most of the symptoms of this illness, but many who suffer feel they must turn to hard pharmaceuticals, like opiates, hormone pills and contraceptives, to combat the intense and unrelenting pain that comes with endometriosis; and even then, some say it only softens the edge of their pain.

Endometriosis Symptoms

So for those who have endometriosis, having your monthly period can seem like an egregious trip through the seventh region of hell, leaving you with aches in places you didn’t know existed. And here, we are only talking about the physical symptoms. Having a week of pain each month can leave anyone feeling a little down in the dumps, but when you throw in sex pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, blood in your urine, pain when urinating or evacuating your bowels, and unbelievable period pain, it can all become a little bit much. 

CBD for Endometriosis

But, thank goodness there is cannabidiol (CBD) around to help deal with not only the pain, but a lot of the other symptoms of endometriosis as well. By now, you should have heard of this significant compound, known for its powerful therapeutic qualities helping with a massive range of ailments and issues, but did you know it has been found to ease endometriosis pain and symptoms as well? Some who use CBD for endometriosis relief have even reported going from one extreme side of the pain scale to the other, with just a few uses.

"I am currently experiencing an endometriosis flare-up. My right ovary has decided to remind me of its presence via throbbing, stabbing pains, and my uterus feels like it’s tearing apart. This is when my pain-relief weapons come into action, and cannabinoids take center stage."

CBD works to block pain receptors in the body through its affinity with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Cannabinoids such as CBD, which comes from the cannabis plant, attaches itself to cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, within the body and inform the body of what changes it need to make in order to enact homeostasis. So if your body is slightly off balance due to medication, illness or disease, like endometriosis, you made need a little extra help maintain this internal balance.

The Link Between Endometriosis and the ECS

Endometriosis has been linked to endocannabinoid deficiency. This is seen in women with endometriosis, who are shown to have lower levels of the CB1 receptor in their endometrial tissue than those with healthy tissue. This reduced ECS function then leads to growth of endometriosis throughout the body, along with more pain. As endometriosis pain is mediated through the CB1 receptor, having fewer of these receptors makes it difficult for the body to control the pain from endometriosis.

So How Does this Translate for CBD and Endometriosis Relief?

CBD has been found to help those suffering from chronic forms of pain and inflammation. These two factors are major components of why endometriosis is so unbearable, so when you find a natural product that can help target both, you’re on a winning track! In a study centred on humans, endometriosis cells proliferated (divided and grew) less when stimulated with a synthetic cannabinoid called WIN 55212-2. In studies of rodents with endometriosis, more pain was noted when treated with AM251, a drug that inhibits the cannabinoid receptors, and less pain when treated with WIN 55212-2.


Another study in a rat model of endometriosis provide evidence that endocannabinoids might regulate the innervation of the disease’s abnormal growths and that exogenous cannabinoid agents can be effective in reducing endometriosis symptoms. The fact that CB1 receptor expression is greater in the cysts than healthy uterus from the same rats suggests that treatments to activate CB1 receptors (either directly by CB1 agonists or indirectly by increasing relevant endocannabinoid levels) could be developed with minimal effects on uterine function. Although the rat model parallels many aspects of endometriosis in women, there are of course significant differences. However, when considered together with the past history of successful use of cannabinoids for alleviation of gynecological pains, and insofar as findings in rats can model mechanisms of endometriosis-related signs and symptoms, the present results suggest that approaches targeted at the endocannbinoid system represent a promising new direction for developing badly-needed new treatments for pain suffered by women with endometriosis.

Endometriosis Inflammation

One of the symptoms of endometriosis are painful lesions that are found on the organs where endometrium is present. The inflammation caused by these lesions can lead to tremendous pain, so if you can counter this inflammation, it would follow that some of the associated pain may ebb with it. A direct link between CB2 receptors in the body and inflammation has been found, with specific reference to both chronic and acute forms of inflammation! CBD has been found to target inflammation by attaching to CB2 receptors, which are principally involved in anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions, allowing the body to target and alleviate inflammation and its associated pain.

"For women suffering from endometriosis, the results are promising and a step forward in finding relief."

Sources :
https://www.endoca.com
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://endometriosisnews.com