Five Compelling Insights About Women And Cannabis

The landscape of cannabis use in the United States is evolving rapidly, with an increasing number of states legalizing both adult and medical consumption. As the exploration of cannabis for treatment of various symptoms gains momentum, researchers are beginning to consider the gender differences. Emerging studies are shedding light on how the effects, applications, and symptom relief offered by medical cannabis vary between males and females.

1. WOMEN, CANNABIS AND MENOPAUSE

Menopause is a time of life women may find they have multiple symptoms to manage. These may be symptoms such as pain, anxiety and sleep difficulties. A survey study was done in Alberta, Canada where cannabis is legally prescribed by physicians. It included 1,485 women between the ages of 35 -72. About one third completed menopause, and one third were still on the menopausal journey. 

The study results showed that the top symptoms women used medical cannabis for were

• sleep difficulties (65%) 

• anxiety (45%) 

• muscle and joint pain (33%). 

Almost three fourths of those surveyed stated that cannabis was helpful with their symptoms of menopause.Approximately half of women used edibles and oils. Smoking or inhalation was the delivery method for 41% of those surveyed. (1)

2. WOMEN, PELVIC PAIN AND CANNABIS 

It is estimated that almost one fourth of all women aged 15-73 years have pelvic pain or Myofascial Pelvic Pain (MPP). In spite of the large number of women suffering from this, it is difficult to determine the cause and women may suffer, needing to manage symptoms for years. General physicians, surgeons, psychiatrists, urologists, gynecologists and others are often involved in determining and treating the cause of the pain. (2) Conventional treatment for MPP often requires a combination of multiple therapies working together, including muscle relaxants, physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. 

A study was done with 135 women who were being treated for MPP. Some were cannabis users already, and others were not. The results of the study showed that cannabis was rated at 7/10 or higher for relieving pelvic pain. There were other positive effects with cannabis too:

• Mood had a 75% improvement

• Sleep improved by over 90%

• General quality of life was rated at 97%. 

Another significant finding was the almost three fourths of those who began to use medical cannabis reported they decreased their use of other pain medications.(3)

3. WOMEN USE CANNABIS DIFFERENTLY THAN MEN.

Women use cannabis less frequently, in smaller amounts and begin using at an older age than men. Women are twice as likely as men to start using cannabis after age 30. Women also report using cannabis for medical purposes more than men. Findings are that men have a higher incidence of using it for recreational purposes. The trends in the route of cannabis use is different for women when compared to men. Women are more likely to primarily use pipes and oral administration with tinctures, capsules or edibles. These methods are a bit easier and more discreet when compared to the tendencies for men to smoke joints, blunts, concentrates or vaporizers. (4)

4.WOMEN’S USAGE PATTERNS OF CANNABIS DIFFER FROM MEN’S

Women more often use cannabis for pain, anxiety, inflammation, nausea

• A study done in Illinois at a time when medical cannabis was legalized, provided information showing women are more likely to use medical cannabis for pain, nausea, anxiety, and inflammation. 

Women reduce their prescription medications 

• There was a pattern found that showed women are more likely to reduce or discontinue their prescription medications when they begin using medical cannabis. 

Women increase use when they receive a medical cannabis card

• Once they receive a legal medial cannabis card, women are more likely to increase their medical cannabis use.

Women have less support from their primary care physicians

• One final pattern found was that the level of support that women received from their primary care providers was less than the support that men receive. (5) 

5. WOMEN WHO USE CANNABIS MORE FREQUENTLY HAVE IMPROVED SEX

A study with over 450 women who used cannabis resulted in a correlation between cannabis use and improved sexual function. The results were determined using the Female Sexual Function Index. The more frequent the cannabis use, the higher the score was. They also determined that it did not matter how the cannabis was consumed, nor the specific type of cannabis used. The more frequent the use, the higher the score.  (6)

FINAL NOTE: 

In the evolving landscape of medical cannabis legalization and acceptance, it's comforting to see a deliberate consideration of the differences in cannabis use between women and men. This thoughtful consideration supports unlocking the full potential of medical cannabis for women. Recognizing and embracing these differences leads to the promise of superior outcomes. Women deserve a better path to alleviating pain, easing anxiety, promoting restful sleep, enhancing overall quality of life, and even contributing to enhanced sexual relations.

REFERENCES:

1. Yang, E. C., Koenig, N., Gong, M., Brotto, L. A., Barr, A. M., Lee, T., Yong, P. J., & Geoffrion, R. (2023). Cannabis use preferences in women with myofascial pelvic pain: A cross-sectional study. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X, 18, 100192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100192

2. Prather H, Spitznagle TM, Dugan SA. Recognizing and treating pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2007 Aug 1;18(3):477-96.

3. Yang, E. C., Koenig, N. A., Gong, M., Brotto, L. A., Barr, A. M., Lee, T., Yong, P. J., & Geoffrion, R. (2023). Cannabis use preferences in women with myofascial pelvic pain: A cross-sectional study. European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology: X, 18, 100192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100192

4. Cuttler, C., Mischley, L. K., & Sexton, M. (2016). Sex Differences in Cannabis Use and Effects: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Cannabis Users. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 1(1), 166–175. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0010

5. Bruce, D., Grove, T. J., Foster, E., & Shattell, M. (2021). Gender Differences in Medical Cannabis Use: Symptoms Treated, Physician Support for Use, and Prescription Medication Discontinuation. Journal of women's health (2002), 30(6), 857–863. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8437

6. Kasman AM, Bhambhvani HP, Wilson-King G, et al. Assessment of the Association of Cannabis on Female Sexual Function With the Female Sexual Function Index. Sex Med 2020;8:699-708.