A study published in the Journal of Women’s Health suggests that women are more likely than men to substitute cannabis in place of prescribed medication. According to the study’s findings, women tend to rely on the plant’s therapeutic tendencies to relieve the symptoms of chronic conditions; e.g. pain.

This hypothesis was met by researchers who reviewed gendered attitudes towards medical cannabis consumption. Based on their report, females are more likely to stop receiving healthcare assistance and using prescribed medications once they obtain a medical cannabis card.

“The implication that women may conceptualize medical cannabis as complementary or alternative medicine merits further research, as this finding may be viewed as a consequence of patient experience with cannabis, and not only of shifting public attitudes toward it,” wrote the researchers, who also noted that men are more likely to be frequent cannabis consumers.

While it is not entirely obvious as to why female cannabis consumers are switching prescribed meds for plant-based treatments, the study authors noted that women appear to access preventative services more often than men. Furthermore, females appear to rely on alternative medicines – including treatments for migraines, headaches, pain, insomnia and mental health – more than men.

Women are becoming increasingly open to treating gynecological conditions and menopause with cannabis

A separate study that was also published in the Journal of Women’s Health revealed that women commonly use cannabis to relieve the symptoms of chronic pelvic pain, menstrual cramps and gynecological cancer-associated pain.

“A larger proportion of women who reported ever using cannabis were willing to use cannabis to treat conditions commonly seen in gynecological practices compared to never-users (91.6 percent vs. 64.6 percent),” says one of the lead authors of the study, Leo Han, MD, MDH. 

Susan G. Kornstein, MD, who assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Women’s Health, said that the study discovered “a large proportion of those women who had never used cannabis were willing to try it to treat gynecological pain. Fewer, but still a substantial percentage, would use it for procedural pain or other gynecological conditions.”

Conversely, a study that was highlighted during the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting of the North American Menopause Society in September proposed that one in four women had previously used, or were considering using, cannabis to treat menopause symptoms. Less than five of the surveyed women claimed that they were relying on more conventional treatments, such as hormone therapy.

Studies and trials on cannabinoids have demonstrated promise as natural painkillers

As demand for cannabis-based medications surges across the globe, there has been an ongoing need for solid research. Cannabinoids – the compounds found in cannabis – are responsible for producing the therapeutic effects that female cannabis consumers seek out. Hundreds of cannabinoids have been identified by scientists so far, with CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) being the most widely researched.

Cannabinoids work by binding with receptors inside the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Receptors, which constitute an integral part of the ECS, are scattered around the body. When triggered, they are responsible for regulating physiological processes like mood, memory, appetite and pain sensation.

Endometriosis, gynecological cancers, PMS and PDD are just a few examples of conditions that may cause chronic pain in women. A growing body of research indicates that cannabis could work as a highly effective painkiller, such as this study, which measured the analgesic efficacy of cannabinoids for acute pain. However, more research is needed to fully assess the potential of cannabis for women’s health.

Fortunately, support for medical cannabis is increasing. In fact, a recently published Gallup poll found that medical aid is the main reason why advocates want to legalize cannabis in the U.S. As of November 4, 2020, medical cannabis legalization had been enacted in 36 states and four territories; most recently, measures were approved by voters in Mississippi and South Dakota. However, discussions pertaining to medical cannabis continue to undergo rigorous debate.