As perimenopause ushers in a new chapter in a woman’s life, it can bring with it an array of symptoms that challenge even the most resilient among us. But fear not! There are plenty of natural solutions to help you feel more like you. And one of these is CBD.
We’ve looked at how CBD can be used to treat menopause. So in this post, we’re going to look at the top tips for using CBD for perimenopause symptoms.
Before we get started though, we’ll quickly look at how perimenopause can affect you physically and mentally.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
The term perimenopause actually means ‘around menopause’ and typically refers to the early onset of menopause. It’s no secret that this time in every woman’s life can be a little challenging, as our hormones and bodies start to change.
As our ovaries stop producing eggs, women can experience a range of mental and physical changes as a result of this hormone imbalance.
This can include:
- Changes to our mood such as mood swings, depression, increased anxiety and irritability
- Hot flushes. Probably the best known of the menopause symptoms, these waves of physical heat can be unpredictable and cause a variety of disturbances
- Fluctuating weight. This can occur as our hormones change and our bodies retain fluid and store fat. It’s a given that our bodies change as we get older, but this can be a shock to some women
- Irregular periods and ovulations. Often the first sign of perimenopause is the changes to our menstrual cycles, including heavy flows and cramp
- Changes to our sexual function. With the hormones affecting our reproductive system, it’s no surprise that there are changes to our sexual appetite and even discomfort from vaginal dryness
- Decreased bone health and a higher risk of osteoporosis due to the reduction in oestrogen
- Muscle and joint aches. Again, as part of the hormone imbalance, we can start to feel aches and pains
Of course every woman is different, and so is their menopause experience. Some women will experience a relatively mild perimenopause, while for others it might feel like their lives are no longer in their control.
Whatever your experience of menopause, there are ways to take back control and keep your true self.
And using CBD oil can really help to alleviate a lot of the discomfort associated with perimenopause. So, let’s take a look at how you can use CBD for perimenopause symptoms.
1. Reduce the effects of hot flushes
Hot flushes are unpredictable, so taking something to reduce their effect as and when they do happen can be a life saver. Especially as our lives go on as normal while we’re experiencing perimenopause.
CBD patches are a great solution to reduce the effect of hot flushes. With CBD patches available in a variety of strengths, these slow release transdermal patches can be applied to anywhere on your body to offer consistent relief.
The effects of a CBD patch can last for up to 24 hours, which makes them ideal for using at night or when you’re at work.
2. Control your mood
Many women find themselves feeling a dizzying range of emotions during perimenopause, which can be disruptive to work, family and social life. One minute you might be feeling quite happy and normal, the next you might be close to tears or finding something trivial incredibly annoying.
These hormone induced mood swings are also hard to predict. But CBD patches can again offer a solution, with a slow release of the active cannabidiol into the bloodstream.
CBD edibles such as CBD gummies are also an excellent way to control your mood as part of perimenopause. While the effects come on much quicker, and can feel much stronger, CBD gummies and other edibles can quickly help you relax and feel less anxious or irritable.
3. Joint and muscle pain relief
As our bones and muscles are affected by the hormonal changes during perimenopause, many women experience a lot of physical discomfort. A good way to target specific areas, such as sore neck and shoulders or even our stomach area, is to apply CBD cream.
Fast acting CBD cream can help to reduce the swelling or inflammations and act as a pain reliever.
4. Take control of our libido and sexual function
For many women, maintaining a healthy sex life is a key part of maintaining a strong relationship with their partner, and feeling like they have control over their own body. So when we suddenly experience a drop in libido, or sex becomes painful, it can be hard to know what to do. In fact, for some women this can be devastating.
While there are countless articles about how menopause ruins your sex life, it doesn’t actually have to be this way.
CBD lubes have become popular in recent years as the benefits for menopausal women become clear. In fact, our own ShelleySupply CBD Intimacy Oil is designed with women experiencing perimenopause and menopause in mind.
By applying CBD lube to the vagina, the cannabidiol reduces inflammation, improves sensitivity and also aids natural lubrication. Many women are surprised at how much CBD lube changes their libido and capacity for sex, and allows them to really keep their true self!
5. Maintain physical activity
We’re often told that remaining fit and active can help us with the effects of menopause, including for pain relief, mood and, of course, keeping control of our weight. But for many women the last thing they want to do when in the midst of cramps or while experiencing hot flashes is to put on their running shoes.
Again, CBD can be used to limit the effects of perimenopause and allow us to stay fit and active. This might be using CBD gummies or edibles to give us a break from discomfort and get us out to the park or down to the gym.
Or CBD patches can be used to give that slow feed of pain relief.
Staying fit is definitely a key part of reducing the effects of perimenopause, and CBD can help you stay focused.
6. Improve our sleep
A good night’s sleep can change everything. But the effects of perimenopause can really mess up our sleep patterns and, by extension, our mood or our capacity for exercise or sex.
CBD has been shown to be a great sleep aid in numerous studies. So including a CBD oil based product in your bedtime routine can help to improve sleep quality and reduce the disruption caused by hot flushes or insomnia.
CBD patches are ideal for managing our sleep during menopause with their slow release effect. And because they are available in various strengths, you can also up the CBD dosage if needed.
7. Improved bone health
Can CBD help improve your bones? Actually, studies do suggest that yes, CBD can stimulate the endocannabinoid system to produce the hormones needed to keep our bones healthy.
The best way to experience this benefit is to use CBD edibles such as gummies. But CBD patches and creams are also a good way to boost your body into protecting your bones too.
BONUS 8. All round wellbeing
OK, we said this was a top seven. But the fact is that CBD offers so many benefits to women experiencing perimenopause and menopause that it’s worth using it for your general wellbeing.
From pain relief to managing mood swings, not to mention improving our libido and bone function, there really are a lot of reasons to try CBD for perimenopause symptoms.
Are there any side effects from CBD?
Although rare, there are some side effects that people might experience when using CBD. These include:
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth (also known as cottonmouth)
- Skin irritation
Although there are very few studies into the side effects of CBD, it might also be wise to avoid CBD if you are using some medications including blood thinners. If in doubt, consult a healthcare professional first.
While most people experience no ill-effects from CBD or cannabidiol products, it is best to proceed with caution the first time you use CBD. This is especially true with broad spectrum or full spectrum CBD which include trace elements of THC, the more psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant.
Use a low dose the first time. And if applying topically, for example with the cream or lube, dab a little on your arm or leg to test if there is a reaction.
CBD isolate is the purest form of cannabidiol, containing no trace elements of other cannabis compounds. All of our ShelleySupply branded products contain 100% natural CBD isolate.
Choosing your CBD products for perimenopause
If you’re not sure which product to try to manage your perimenopause or menopause symptoms, the most popular starting point is either the CBD gummies or patches.
At ShelleySupply we stock the popular Orange County CBD gummies in a variety of flavours and strengths.
Or browse our range of CBD oil based products to find the right one for you…
