Endometriosis and cannabis

In France, endometriosis affects around 10% of women of childbearing age, or 1.5 to 2.5 million women. Endometriosis is a complex, multiform disease with symptoms that vary according to the situation. The most obvious symptom of endometriosis is pain during menstruation or intercourse.

Here we look at how CBD can be used to relieve the symptoms of endometriosis.

Summary: using CBD for endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the female genital tract. During the menstrual cycle and under the influence of hormones, the endometrium, the tissue lining the uterus, thickens in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, it disintegrates and bleeds. This is called menstruation. In almost all women, cells will migrate upwards via the fallopian tubes and disperse into the abdomen, a natural process known as menstrual reflux. The immune system then organizes itself to destroy these cells, which are not in the right place.

However, in 10 % of women, the endometrial tissue that develops outside the uterus is not destroyed. It colonizes other organs and can cause lesions, adhesions and ovarian cysts (endometriomas). This is endometriosis. Although it mainly affects the genitals and peritoneum, it can frequently extend to the urinary or digestive tracts.

Research indicates that CBD may help treat endometriosis by :

• Stops cell proliferation
• Prevents cell migration
• Inhibits lesion vascularization (blood vessels)
• Inhibits innervation of lesions (nerves)
• Blocks synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins
• Modulating the immune response
• Desensitizes the nerves that transmit pain

The best CBD oils for endometriosis

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How to use CBD for endometriosis?

Many products may be suitable for relieving or treating the symptoms of endometriosis:

1. the’CBD oil, in tinctures or capsules, can gradually reduce the symptoms of endometriosis.
2. CBD topicals, in the form of a balm or lotion, to be applied to the cramps that can come with endometriosis
3. CBD vaginal suppositories to target relief areas more directly
4. from CBD cartridges and a vape pen for CBD micro-doses with an almost immediate effect

What is endometriosis?

Let's start with a little explanation. Endometriosis is an often painful condition in which tissue similar to that which normally lines the uterus, the endometrium, mistakenly grows outside the uterus. The endometrial tissue then grows on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other abdominal sites.

While there's nothing intrinsically lethal about this «invasion», it can trigger inflammation and even lesions in the affected organs.

For endometriosis sufferers, life is much more difficult: their quality of life declines, while anxiety and depression rates rise. Many endure the pain of endometriosis for years before being properly diagnosed.

People with endometriosis generally suffer from at least one of the following symptoms:

• Severe menstrual cramps
• Painful intercourse
• Painful urination or bowel movements
• Chronic lower back, abdominal or pelvic pain
• Diarrhea, constipation or nausea
• Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant

How is endometriosis treated?

There is no known cure for endometriosis. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms while trying to prevent the spread of endometriosis. Doctors generally suggest one or more of the following three treatment options:

Painkillers - The most commonly prescribed treatment for endometriosis is an analgesic. Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics help sufferers cope with the painful symptoms of endometriosis, but do nothing to prevent the disease from progressing. Sometimes stronger analgesics are prescribed, with debilitating systemic effects.

Hormones - Another popular prescription is hormone therapy, intended to relieve symptoms by reducing the strength and/or quantity of menstrual cycles. However, some patients respond poorly to hormone therapy.

Surgery - Doctors can surgically remove stray endometrial tissue, which often provides considerable relief ... for a while. Unfortunately, there is a high risk of complications, and around half of patients will have their symptoms recur within a year, requiring further treatment. Another surgical option is oophorectomy. Unfortunately, the pain caused by a permanent endometriosis scar may persist beyond the menopause, requiring lifelong pain management.

What causes endometriosis?

The most popular theory about the origin of endometriosis is that menstrual blood flows in the wrong direction, carrying endometrial tissue to the fallopian tubes, ovaries or abdomen. Others believe that environmental factors or toxins may cause the body to spontaneously produce endometrial cells in the wrong place.

However the initial cells arrive, once they're there, they grow and spread (like cancer cells), multiplying and avoiding destruction by the body's safety systems. They recruit blood veins to supply nutrients and eliminate waste (also like cancer), and they develop new nerve endings that increase pain perception.

Also similar to cancer cells, endometriosis can migrate to other tissues to claim more territory. Although endometriosis is considered a benign disease, patients whose bodies are unable to prevent the spread of endometriosis (due to genetic or environmental factors) also have a much higher risk of ovarian cancer.

Because of the similarities, some believe that treatments that prevent cancer from growing and spreading could do the same for endometriosis.

Cannabis and endometriosis

For millennia and in all civilizations, people have used cannabis and hemp extracts to treat endometriosis, menstrual cramps and other gynecological complications. In recent decades, THC and CBD have proven to be effective therapies with relatively few side effects.

One of the reasons scientists are so enthusiastic about these compounds is the recent discovery that the body's natural endocannabinoid system is an integral part of the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Imbalances in these neurotransmitters are often linked to reproductive complications and diseases, including endometriosis, and it seems that careful use of phytocannabinoid supplements, topical products and suppositories could make a huge difference to this imbalance.

How?

Cannabinoids stop cell multiplication

Normally, your body has the tools to prevent cells from growing and to destroy them (apoptosis) before they become a problem. Unfortunately, apoptosis seems to be impaired in people with endometriosis and similar disorders. The endocannabinoid system is involved in apoptosis and cell growth arrest.

Perhaps the best-known application of these effects is in the treatment of cancer. When certain cannabinoid receptors are activated (either by the body's own endocannabinoids or by plant-derived THC), they can prevent cancer cells from multiplying. Similar research has shown that the activation of these receptors prevents endometriotic tissues to proliferate in mice.

CBD: preventing cell migration

A frustrating problem for patients who have their endometriotic lesions surgically removed is that endometriosis frequently returns. However, scientists have recently discovered that endocannabinoids are involved in regulating cell migration. Molecules such as CBD can prevent endometriotic cells from migrating (by blocking activation of the GPR18 receptor).

CBD and nerve pain

Some suffer from deep endometriosis, a more painful form of endometriosis that burrows deeper into the abdominal tissues. One of the reasons these lesions can be more painful is that they contain a much higher density of nerves than other lesions.

Endocannabinoids regulate nerve growth, and their receptors (CB1) are expressed on the nerves that innervate endometriotic lesions. Molecules such as CBD interfere with innervation by preventing activation of this receptor. However, this could suggest that THC use without the compensatory effects of CBD could lead to a long-term increase in endometriosis innervation.

CBD: like Advil without the side effects

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil are one of the most frequently prescribed treatments for endometriosis. NSAIDs work by inhibiting certain enzymes (called COX-2) that contribute to inflammation. Unfortunately, NSAIDs thin your blood and can have gastrointestinal side effects, as they also inhibit other enzymes (such as COX-1). It turns out that CBD's anti-inflammatory effects are accompanied by fewer side effects, as it specifically inhibits COX-2 but not COX-1.

Cannabinoids calm an overactive immune system

Many of your body's endocannabinoid (CB2) receptors are located on the killer cells of your immune system (macrophages). When these receptors are activated, they prevent the macrophages from releasing inflammatory proteins (cytokines).

Endometriosis sufferers become hypersensitive to toxins and inflammatory signals. Fortunately, the CBD activates CB2 receptors, which contribute significantly to the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis. This is useful for uncontrolled inflammation caused by an overactive immune system, although depression of the immune system is not always desirable. CBD also helps relieve pain sensations, but through other targets. Specifically, CBD is able to desensitize the TRPV1 pain receptor.

Does endometriosis require a change in lifestyle?

Dietary changes often have a profound effect on the symptoms of endometriosis. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants is a good place to start. You may also find that acupuncture and meditation are effective tools for pain management. Other herbal supplements may target endometriosis in ways similar to cannabinoids.

As always, before making any changes to your endometriosis treatment, be sure to consult your doctor.