Polycystic ovaries and cannabis

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread gynecological condition. Figures suggest that it affects up to one in ten women of childbearing age. It is a major cause of female infertility, and also leads to a range of other symptoms.

In this article, we take a closer look at PCOS and whether CBD can help.

PCOS: What is it?

PCOS leads to the formation of numerous small cysts in the ovaries. These cysts form when the follicle fails to release an egg during ovulation due to a hormonal imbalance.

The severity of PCOS can vary considerably. Some women don't know they have it until they have fertility problems. Others are afflicted by a variety of symptoms that plague their daily lives.

PCOS symptoms

PCOS symptoms vary from woman to woman. Here are some of the most common:

• Irregular or absent periods
• Weight gain
• Acne
• Excessive body hair (hirsutism)
• Hair
• Dark, velvety skin in areas such as the neck, armpits and groin (acanthosis nigricans)
• Fertility problems
• High risk of complications during pregnancy

Women with PCOS are also at risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and endometrial cancer. They may also suffer from mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Causes of PCOS

PCOS is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones. All women produce androgens (male sex hormones) in addition to their female sex hormones. However, women with PCOS produce more androgens than usual. This leads to symptoms such as acne and hirsutism. Other hormonal imbalances prevent ovulation from occurring as it should. This leads to missed periods and the formation of cysts around the ovaries.

Other hormonal imbalances prevent ovulation from occurring as it should. This leads to missed periods and the formation of cysts around the ovaries.

Finally, women with PCOS often suffer from insulin resistance. This leads to weight gain and other metabolic problems. It also increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease later in life.

These hormonal imbalances are extremely complex, and scientists are still trying to understand precisely why they occur. They appear to be the result of a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, the way in which the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries use hormones to communicate and regulate the menstrual cycle.

PCOS treatments

The most common treatments for PCOS include drugs to regulate the menstrual cycle or trigger ovulation in women trying to conceive. Doctors may also prescribe metformin (an anti-diabetic drug) for women with insulin resistance. Anti-androgen drugs can also help manage symptoms such as acne and hirsutism.

For some women, especially those trying to become pregnant, surgery may be necessary. A procedure known as ovarian drilling can help trigger ovulation if medication has failed.

Other women may find that lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and eating well, are sufficient to manage their symptoms.

Does CBD (cannabidiol) have the potential to help PCOS?

CBD has become extraordinarily popular in recent years, but could it help women with PCOS?

Unfortunately, there's no simple answer.

CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis (balance) in the body. It plays a role in controlling mood, movement, appetite, immunity and blood pressure, among others. It also appears to help regulate the reproductive system.

CBD and PCOS

The endocannabinoid system is a combination of cannabinoid receptors and chemicals called endocannabinoids. These chemicals and receptors bind together to trigger various reactions throughout the body.

Two of the most studied cannabinoid receptors in the SEC are CB1 and CB2. Researchers have found these receptors in most body tissues, including the ovaries. They believe that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in egg development, ovulation and sex hormone secretion. It probably does so by influencing the HPO axis.

CBD has a powerful effect on ECS. It can alter the way endocannabinoids bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors. As a result, it can have a significant impact on reproductive function. But is this good news for PCOS?

The endocannabinoid system and PCOS

A 2015 study for Fertility and Sterility compared the adipose tissue of 20 women with PCOS and 20 healthy women. The authors found that women with PCOS had higher levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). They also showed higher expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors in their cells.

These findings suggest that ECS plays a role in the development of PCOS and insulin resistance. An article published in 2019 for the Journal of Ovarian Research supports this theory and suggests that the influence of the endocannabinoid system on PCOS could be as follows:

• High levels of AEA affect insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
• This leads to insulin resistance and therefore high levels of circulating insulin
• High insulin levels increase androgen production
• High androgen levels prevent ovulation
• Progesterone levels fall, while estrogen levels rise
• This imbalance reduces levels of FAAH, the enzyme responsible for breaking down AEA
• AEA activity increases at CB1 receptors in ovaries
• PCOS occurs because AEA activity must fluctuate within normal limits for proper ovulation.
• It is important to note that this is currently only a theory. However, it may be worth considering this theory when it comes to the action of CBD.

One of CBD's effects on PCOS is to slow the breakdown of AEA and increase its levels in the body. If the above theory is correct, this could mean that CBD has a negative impact on PCOS.

However, CBD also acts as a «negative allosteric modulator» at CB1 receptors. This means it alters the shape of the receptors, making it more difficult for molecules to bind to them. It could therefore potentially block some of AEA's activity at CB1 receptors.

Until further research is conducted, it's difficult to know for sure whether CBD helps or hinders PCOS. However, it could potentially relieve some of its symptoms.

CBD for PCOS: Potential benefits

Although the exact effects of CBD on the development of PCOS are unclear, it may alleviate some of its symptoms.

Pain

Women with PCOS may suffer from lower abdominal pain. This can be due to menstruation, ovulation or ruptured cysts. Pain is one of the main reasons people use CBD, and it could potentially help PCOS pain, too.

Learn more about how CBD relieves pain in our related article: CBD oil for pain management

Mood

Another common reason people use CBD is to relieve anxiety, depression and mood swings. It is particularly well known for its anti-anxiety properties. Many women with PCOS suffer from anxiety.

To learn more about CBD for anxiety, check out our article Can CBD cure anxiety [Myths and facts]?

Acne

Research has shown that CBD can help reduce sebum production and inflammation in acne. It may be best to use CBD topically for acne, applying it directly to the skin. Many CBD-based topical products also contain other soothing ingredients to enhance its effects.

Here's more information on the beneficial effects of CBD on acne symptoms: CBD for acne [What you need to know before trying].

Weight and metabolism

Many scientists have studied how CBD and other cannabinoids such as THC and THCV affect body weight and insulin sensitivity. According to the research, THCV seems to have a particularly positive effect. You can find this cannabinoid in some brands of full-spectrum CBD oil and other cannabis products.

This is perhaps one of the most important benefits of CBD for PCOS. Increased body weight and insulin resistance play an important role in the development of this disease. Therefore, anything that can help manage these issues can be helpful.

You can find out more about how cannabinoids affect body weight in our article: CBD for weight loss: is it a scam?

Final thoughts on CBD oil for PCOS

It seems that the SEC plays an important role in the development of PCOS and its symptoms. Therefore, cannabinoids such as CBD are likely to have a significant impact. However, until further evidence emerges, it is unclear whether this impact is positive or negative. Research suggests that CBD may help relieve some of the symptoms of PCOS.