Thanks to scientific progress in medical cannabis research, more and more innovative treatments aimed at women’s health problems are becoming available. Every day there are more specific alternative treatment options beyond conventional medicine. How is cannabis benefiting women’s health?
Some laboratory studies show that cannabis compounds kill breast cancer cells.
With breast cancer the leading cause of cancer death among women, medical cannabis could be a promising avenue. In 2014, researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute found in laboratory studies that cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, was effective at preventing metastasis (the spread of tumours) in breast cancer cells by inhibiting key genes involved. Although this is a more recent study, similar findings had pointed to the compound’s effectiveness as early as 1996. 
Compared with treatments such as chemotherapy, CBD has a very low toxicity profile. It may be especially beneficial when used together with other cannabis compounds: thousands of people say they have treated their illness with pure CBD extract, and some claim CBD has kept the disease at bay. These are preliminary findings and anecdotal reports, and CBD is not a substitute for cancer treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Menstrual relief
When the cannabinoids THC and CBD are combined, they have been shown to be very effective at easing menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhoea. THC acts as a painkiller, reducing the sensation of pain, while CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory, interacting with key parts of the immune system and slowing electrical signals to the muscles so they can relax. The company Foria Pleasure recently launched the first vaginal suppositories, also known as “weed tampons”, which work by activating cannabinoid receptors in the pelvic region and acting on the nerve endings of the uterus, cervix, ovaries and surrounding muscle tissue. 
Meanwhile, the legendary actress Whoopi Goldberg and Maya Elisabeth, founder of the cannabis edibles company Om Edibles, recently launched a medical cannabis line for menstrual relief together, called Whoopi & Maya. Combining the power of cannabinoids with other natural healing ingredients, the products aim to bring relief through lavender bath soaks, cannabis rubs, raw cacao, body balms and tinctures.
More female orgasms: strains designed for women’s pleasure
While some cannabis varieties have always been considered aphrodisiacs, there is now cannabis designed specifically to help women have mind-blowing sexual experiences. One of these low-THC strains was developed by Karyn Wagner to put women in a “sensual” frame of mind while avoiding psychoactive effects that can get in the way during sex. Cannabis consultant Eloise Theisen said that “women generally need less THC, and high levels of it can promote anti-oestrogenic activity. However, with a low-THC strain, the body’s endocannabinoid system can be activated enough to help restore hormonal balance.” 
With medical marijuana being legalised in more and more US states, the use of cannabis’s healing properties for women’s health will keep growing.
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