Menopause, Perimenopause and the power of CBD

We need to start talking about Menopause. With billions of people on the planet experiencing it in their lifetimes, and most of them going through perimenopause in the years leading up to it, it’s time we faced this stage in our lives head on.

Menopause and perimenopause are a natural part of a woman’s life.

Menopause happens when a woman stops having periods, and begins when it’s been 12 months since your last period. The years leading up to that where she may experience symptoms like hot flashes and irregular periods is known as perimenopause. Menopause usually happens between 45 and 55 years old, as a woman's oestrogen levels decline.

Perimenopause symptoms usually begin in your 40s, but can start in your mid 30s or even earlier. Experiencing perimenopause can be tough on your mind and body, but CBD can support you and help make your symptoms much more manageable.

How can CBD help ease your symptoms?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. At Lady A, we use a high quality broad spectrum CBD. This means the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant in a way that keeps the compounds intact, but removes the THC (which has a psychoactive effect, so you won’t get high). 

CBD is known for supporting body and mind in lots of ways, but it can be particularly helpful for supporting the onset of perimenopause and menopause. CBD can be taken in many forms, so it can be used in different ways, at different times of day to help with a variety of different symptoms. 

Hot flushes and sweats.

Hot flushes can take you by surprise. Seemingly out of nowhere, you’re sweaty, hot and very bothered. CBD can drop the temperature in the body, and bring calm when hot flushes unexpectedly upset the body’s equilibrium.

Mood swings.

Hormonal changes in the body during perimenopause and menopause can cause changes to your mood. CBD reacts with a complex network of receptors in the body to promote homeostasis, or balance, and can interact with serotonin receptors to boost your mood and calm anxiety.

Bone density.

Women lose bone rapidly in the first few years after menopause, as their drop in oestrogen levels impacts bone density. This puts women at risk of developing osteoporosis, particularly if they experienced menopause before the age of 45. CBD can interact with receptors in the body that play a role in bone density loss.

Trouble sleeping.

CBD can easily and effectively be added into your night time routine to restore balance and help you relax into a great night’s sleep. CBD is not a sedative, but it has the ability to relax your mind and body to help you unwind into the evening. CBD interacts with receptors in your brain to naturally balance out the body’s sleep-wake cycle, helping to reduce stress before bed time and alleviate insomnia.  

Cramps and digestion.

Perimenopause and menopause can bring with it cramps, bloating and inflammation. This can impact digestion and lead to anything from discomfort to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. CBD is an anti-inflammatory, so can help reduce bloating and aid digestion.

Reduced sex drive.

Everyone’s sex drive is different and there’s no such thing as a “normal” libido. Although our sex drive naturally fluctuates, menopause is a particularly tricky time as the loss of estrogen and testosterone can lead to changes in a woman's body and sexual drive. Menopausal and postmenopausal women may notice that they're not as easily aroused, and they may be less sensitive. Menopause can also cause vaginal dryness, making sex uncomfortable. CBD naturally enhances sensitivity by increasing blood flow and encouraging natural lubrication, as well as helping you to relax and unwind.