Cannabis Oil and Endometriosis: A Promising Study for Pain Relief

A new German study suggests that the medical marijuana could help women suffering from’endometriosis to relieve their chronic pelvic pain, reduce their reliance on conventional pain relievers, and improve their quality of life.

Posted in PLOS One In September 2026, this study presented encouraging preliminary results, although larger-scale clinical trials are still needed.

Cannabis and Endometriosis: A Three-Month Clinical Study

Conducted by researchers from the’Charité University Hospital in Berlin, this prospective observational study examined the effects of’cannabis extracts administered orally to women suffering from persistent pain associated with endometriosis despite conventional treatment.

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age worldwide. Characterized by the growth of tissue resembling the uterine lining outside the uterus, this condition can cause debilitating pelvic pain, fatigue, and fertility problems.

The researchers initially recruited 30 women, 27 of whom completed the three-month study. The participants received oral extracts containing balanced concentrations of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), in addition to their usual treatments.

After a four-week dose-titration period, the target daily dose was approximately 10 mg of THC and 12 mg of CBD, administered in two doses.

Significant reductions in chronic pain

The results have shown measurable improvements in chronic pelvic pain.

Before treatment, the participants reported an average pain intensity of 6.81 on a ten-point scale. This dropped to 5.15 after one month and to 4.93 after three months.

The frequency of painful episodes also decreased. The median number of days with pain per month fell from 30 at the start of the study to 17 after three months.

It is important to note that the researchers observed a significant reduction in the number of days on which participants needed conventional pain relievers, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids.

These findings suggest that cannabinoid-based treatments could eventually help reduce exposure to medications associated with adverse effects or the risk of dependence.

Beyond the Pain

The potential benefits went beyond physical discomfort. The participants reported improvements in fatigue, theanxiety, their emotional well-being, and their ability to perform daily activities.

Researchers also observed a decrease in the central awareness, a process in which the nervous system becomes increasingly sensitive to pain signals.

Using the «Endometriosis Health Profile-30» questionnaire, the researchers observed improvements in several quality-of-life indicators, including work-related activities, social relationships, self-image, and sexual well-being.

These observations are particularly relevant because endometriosis often affects psychological health and social functioning, in addition to causing physical symptoms.

Encouraging results, but significant limitations remain

Although the extracts were generally well tolerated, adverse effects have been reported.

Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems persisted in approximately 60% of the participants, although their severity was generally considered mild. One participant discontinued treatment during the initial dose-titration phase due to adverse effects.

The researchers acknowledged several methodological limitations: the small sample size, the lack of a placebo group, the use of self-reported data, and a relatively short observation period.

Consequently, these results do not demonstrate the long-term efficacy or safety of the cannabis-based medicines for endometriosis.

Similar observational studies conducted among female patients with United Kingdom and in New Zealand reported an improvement in endometriosis symptoms following treatment with medical cannabis.

Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials involving larger populations are essential to determine whether these benefits can be replicated, establish an appropriate dosage, and assess potential long-term risks.

For now, the German findings strengthen the case for studying the THC and CBD as additional options in the Management of pain associated with endometriosis, rather than as substitutes for established medical treatments.