As these shifts become more widely discussed, some people with uteruses are exploring cannabis as a way to help manage symptoms.
In fact, survey data suggests a growing number of people already consume cannabis during menopause to promote sleep, reduce anxiety, and ease discomfort.
While cannabis certainly isn’t a replacement for medical care or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it may play a role in helping some individuals feel more balanced during this stage of life.
Understanding how menopause and perimenopause affect the body is the first step in exploring how cannabis may fit into that picture.
Menopause vs. perimenopause
Perimenopause, defined
Perimenopause is the stage leading up to menopause when hormone levels begin to fluctuate.
It typically begins in one’s late 30s or 40s and can last anywhere from two to ten years before menopause officially begins.
“Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause when estrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate,” said Blue Oak owner Danielle Wildstein. “Some people begin noticing changes in their late thirties, others in their mid-forties, and everyone’s experience can look a little different.”
During this time, ovulation becomes inconsistent, and the body starts responding differently to hormonal shifts.
Symptoms may include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.
Menopause, defined
A person with a uterus is officially in menopause when they have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
Because perimenopause can last for years before menopause begins, Danielle said the most important step is learning to recognize when your body may be entering the transition.
“The focus for me is helping women understand that they need to start listening even more closely to their bodies and paying attention to their symptoms,” she said. “Some people are asymptomatic during perimenopause, so they use age as a guide, but age alone is not a reliable marker.”
How cannabis may help with menopause
Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a biological network that helps the body regulate balance.
The ECS plays a role in functions like:
- Sleep
- Mood and stress response
- Pain perception
- Immune response
- Body temperature regulation
“This system helps keep things from swinging too high or too low when the body is under stress,” Danielle said.
The ECS and menopause
The ECS contains two primary receptors.
CB1 receptors are concentrated in the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system and are most closely associated with the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
CB2 receptors are found more broadly throughout the body and are often linked to immune function and inflammation.
“When cannabinoids enter the body, they interact with these receptors and send signals that help support balance,” Danielle said.
Because menopause involves significant hormonal shifts, many of the symptoms people experience overlap with systems the ECS already helps regulate.
What to consider when consuming cannabis for menopause
One of the most important things to understand about cannabis and menopause is that cannabis does not replace medical treatment.
Instead, cannabis is best thought of as a tool for symptom management.
“Hormone replacement therapy can be incredibly important for women, whether they’re experiencing symptoms or not,” Danielle said. “[Cannabis] can’t replace estrogen, but it may help alleviate some of the more troublesome symptoms that come with hormonal changes.”
The menopause symptoms cannabis may help support
Cannabis may help perimenopausal and menopausal people who are experiencing sleep interruptions, mood shifts, discomfort, hot flashes, brain fog, and changes in libido.
Sleep disturbances
Sleep disruption is one of the most common concerns during perimenopause and menopause.
“A low dose of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) paired with the minor cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabinol (CBN) can help some people fall asleep and stay asleep,” Danielle said.
Mood changes and irritability
The hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause and perimenopause can also affect mood and emotional balance.
CBD-dominant products or balanced THC-to-CBD ratios may help reduce feelings of anxiety or irritability for some consumers.
Joint pain and inflammation
Joint stiffness and inflammation are other issues that many people notice during this stage of life.
“THC can influence how the brain perceives pain, while CBD can help address inflammation in the body,” Danielle said.
Hot flashes and temperature regulation
Some people report that CBD-forward products help them feel more comfortable during episodes of temperature dysregulation, such as hot flashes and night sweats.
However, other sources suggest that cannabis supports other menopause symptoms more strongly.
It’s OK to try cannabis for your hot flashes and see what happens — you can always appreciate how it helps you manage other symptoms, or you can try a different product instead.
Libido and physical comfort
Menopause and perimenopause can sometimes lead to a decrease in libido, along with physical discomfort during intimacy.
Some research suggests cannabis may increase desire for certain individuals, while CBD may help reduce anxiety that can interfere with arousal and enjoyment.
For some people, cannabis may also promote a greater sense of pleasure.
Low doses of THC paired with CBD are often recommended for increasing libido and related physical comfort.
Brain fog
The term “brain fog” describes a common set of interrelated and often co-occurring symptoms that vary by person.
These symptoms include, but aren’t limited to, mental exhaustion, trouble focusing, and struggling to find the right words to express oneself, and they’re common among people in menopause or perimenopause.
Cannabis products containing cannabigerol (CBG), a minor cannabinoid, are often found to help manage brain fog.
Why lower doses of THC often work best
One interesting shift that can occur during perimenopause is increased sensitivity to THC.
“As estrogen levels fluctuate, women often find they only need a small amount of THC to get the effects they want,” Danielle said.
Because of this, many people find success with high-CBD, low-THC products.
“For example, a 20:1 edible — twenty parts CBD to one part THC — can provide anti-inflammatory benefits without producing a strong psychoactive effect,” Danielle said.
An example of such an edible is Wana’s Classic Blood Orange gummies, and appropriately for folks experiencing menopause or perimenopause, Wana is woman-founded.
Tips for exploring cannabis for menopause and perimenopause
For those interested in consuming cannabis to support menopause symptoms, Danielle shared some general guidelines. These include pacing yourself, timing it right, considering cannabinoid ratios, incorporating topicals into your regimen, and getting to know terpenes.
- Start low and go slow: Small doses make it easier to understand how your body responds before increasing your intake.
- Consider time of day: For people in menopause or perimenopause, non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD or CBG are often better suited for daytime consumption, while THC is commonly consumed in the evening.
- Explore product ratios: Balanced THC-to-CBD formulations may provide symptom relief with milder intoxicating effects.
- Try topicals for localized pain: Non-transdermal cannabis topicals remain at the skin level and do not enter the bloodstream, making them a great potential option for joint or muscle discomfort.
- Look beyond THC percentages: Terpenes also play an important role in shaping the overall experience of cannabis. They may contribute to feelings of alertness and relaxation, either of which may be helpful to experience depending on your symptoms.
A thoughtful approach to menopause wellness
Menopause and perimenopause look different for everyone who experiences them, so they’re worth approaching with curiosity, patience, and support from specialists.
At Blue Oak, conversations about incorporating cannabis into one’s plan for managing menopause or perimenopause symptoms begin with education.
We’ll help you better understand cannabinoids, terpenes, dosing, and product options as you explore how to feel more balanced.
Through our partnership with Leafwell, you’ll also get access to cannabis medicine experts who can guide you through your journey.
“Cannabis isn’t a cure,” Danielle said. “But it can be a helpful tool for managing symptoms and supporting overall wellness during a time when the body is going through a lot of change.”