Due to its wide range of reported effects, there is a growing interest in the potential benefits of using CBD for PMS, but can it actually help? Learn more, discover the research, and more in our latest guide.

You’re emotionally on edge, robbed of energy, and feel that familiar ache in your lower abdomen. And, to make matters worse, your fave jeans feel too tight and you’ve had a serious craving for chocolate for days. Sounds like you’re smack-dab in the middle of PMS Land, and you’re definitely not alone in the battle. As much as 90 percent of females go through similar—albeit unique—problems on a monthly basis.

From the cramps and bloating to the stress, what if there was a natural remedy to help with all those frustrating PMS issues? A growing pool of women’s health professionals believe that CBD for PMS may be worthy of more attention.

At Nirvana CBD, we obviously believe in the power of this hemp-derived cannabinoid, even for ailments as common as PMS. Could CBD be the plant-based answer to these unfortunately familiar female woes? Maybe. Let’s take a closer look.

CBD: What It Is and How It Works

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most prevalent cannabinoids in the hemp plant, but it is only one of the more than 100 cannabinoids currently known. Technically speaking, CBD is only one atom-arrangement shy of being THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Yet, the two cannabinoids can seem as if they are worlds apart due to their alternate effects in the body. For one, CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid; it won’t leave you feeling high or inebriated. Secondly, THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in different ways.

The ECS is a primary bodily system responsible for regulating a long list of physiological actions, such as:

• Sleep
• Metabolism
• Inflammation
• Pain response
• Appetite

The ECS is made up of a series of cannabinoid receptors that are found in various points of the body, including the nervous and immune systems. CBD doesn’t seem to bind to the cannabinoid receptors of the ECS. Instead, the compound is speculated to create a sense of balance by stabilizing endocannabinoid levels produced naturally by the body. Some scientists believe there could be other receptors within the ECS not yet discovered, which could help to explain some of CBD’s therapeutic properties.

PMS Explained and Why It Happens

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is essentially a name for what many women experience during a specific timeframe within their 28-day menstrual cycle. PMS is not just a physical issue; most women complain of emotional issues as well. Most women will experience PMS anywhere from a week to two weeks before their period (near ovulation) until about seven days after they start menstruation.

PMS is characterized by a range of physical and emotional symptoms including:

• Headaches
• Mood swings, sadness, or irritability
• Abdominal bloating and water retention
• Unusual food cravings, often for sugars and carbs
• Difficulty sleeping or changes in sleep patterns
• Body aches, sore breasts, lower back pain
• Fatigue
• Cramps
• Acne or oily skin

Even though Pms Symptoms can be from mild to moderate, as much as 32 percent of females say their PMS symptoms infringe on their everyday life in some way because they are so bad. About 80 percent of women have one or more PMS symptoms on a monthly basis, and these symptoms don’t necessarily affect their lives in a drastic way.

As to why women have PMS, the cause of PMS is actually not really known. However, most medical professionals agree that the symptoms could be related to changes in sex hormones at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and a drop in serotonin levels. Serotonin can interfere with everything from thoughts and moods to emotions, while the changes in sex hormones like progesterone and estrogen can lead to mood swings, irritability, and even physical symptoms.

How Does CBD Help with PMS

PMS can bring about such a range of issues for females, from depression and anxiety to painful cramps. CBD gets into the endocannabinoid system and gets to work in a subtle way to potentially deter some PMS symptoms. In fact, it is the many interesting properties of CBD known to help with other ailments that make it also a viable option for PMS problems. While targeted research into CBD for PMS is lacking, some properties of the cannabinoid could prove helpful for PMS-related symptoms.

CBD May Stabilize Mood Swings

CBD is known to have anxiolytic properties. In other words, the cannabinoid offers a calming effect for those who feel stressed or anxious, both of which can come along with PMS. If your fluctuating hormone levels and lacking serotonin have you a bit on edge, moody, or emotional, an everyday dose of CBD through your cycle may help give a sense of calm and stability.

CBD May Calm Painful Cramps

Cramps are a result of the uterine contractions as your body attempts to shed the accumulated material remaining after ovulation has occurred. Nevertheless, pronounced hormonal surges and even excessive inflammation of the reproductive system can make cramps worse. Due to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, the cannabinoid may soothe period cramps that seem worse because of inflammation in the body. Likewise, CBD may affect how the pain you feel is perceived by adjusting pain signals being sent from the nervous system to your brain. Not only could these attributes help with cramps, but they could also help deter those general aches and pains that come along with PMS.

CBD May Help You Sleep Better

Sleep disturbances are relatively common for women with PMS. Whether you’re dealing with pain, heightened emotions, or all-out insomnia, CBD may be something to consider. The cannabinoid has been extensively examined as a sleep aid, specifically among people who were having issues with sleeping due to anxiety. For further information, check out our article on CBD for sleep.

CBD May Soothe PMS Breakouts

PMS breakouts are definitely a thing. The skin often produces more sebum (skin oil) due to hormonal shifts, which can lead to breakouts. While the research is just getting started, some studies do suggest that CBD may adjust sebum production and reduce inflammation that can lead to breakouts. On another note, CBD has shown antibacterial properties, which can also be a desirable attribute to counteract issues with acne.

Ways to Use CBD for PMS

When you know the tart of your menstrual cycle is on the horizon, those daunting PMS symptoms can really be intimidating. Thankfully, there is no better time to get started with a good CBD plan to get a jumpstart on your symptoms. With so many innovative CBD products on the market, you have a plethora of options to try CBD for PMS. And, more than one product may grow to be part of your women’s health regimen.

CBD Oil

Many people start with Cbd Oil who are using CBD for the first time. After all, CBD oil is easy to find, relatively easy to dose, and available in some attractive flavors. For example, at Nirvana CBD, our broad-spectrum CBD oil tinctures are available in grapefruit, strawberry, vanilla, and peppermint. As an adage, CBD oils can be found in a range of potency levels, usually up to 1000mg or more.

How to Use for PMS – CBD oil can be swallowed (ingested) or taken sublingually (under the tongue). Sublingual consumption can mean a faster onset of CBD effects. So, you may try taking an everyday dose of CBD oil and then an additional sublingual dose when you need faster relief for PMS symptoms.

CBD Topicals

CBD topicals are available in massage oils, body creams, lotions, patches, and more. Two of our favorites at Nirvana CBD include our 600mg CBD Body Lotion and 150mg CBD Oil Roll-On. Either can be applied to your skin for penetrating action to help with a wide range of aches and pains.

How to Use for PMS – Many women use roll-on CBD or CBD lotions to relieve muscle aches that can come along with PMS. You can also rub a bit on your lower abdomen to target cramps and attempt pain relief.

CBD Edibles

Edibles are a go-to when you need a convenient dose of cannabidiol. The edibles are infused with a specific amount of CBD, so you can take exactly how much you want. Our CBD Gummies have 25mg of CBD, so you can easily grab a few edibles as they’re needed.

How to Use for PMS – Simply chew and swallow a gummy or two to help you sleep, when you feel moody, or have a bad case of cramps. Learn more about how to use CBD gummies, how to dose CBD gummies, and more here.

CBD Soft Gels

CBD capsules, or CBD Soft Gels, are easy-to-swallow capsules with a precise amount of CBD. You can find capsules and soft gels in a range of potencies, and some are formulated with other agents to support specific actions of the CBD. For example, Nirvana’s CBD + Melatonin Soft Gels serve up 750mg of cannabidiol and 30mg of melatonin to really encourage better sleep.

Wondering whether you should use CBD softgels or oil tinctures? Check out our in-depth article “CBD Capsules vs Oil: Which Should You Choose?”

How to Use for PMS – Soft gels can be taken daily throughout your menstrual cycle. But, if you prefer, you could also start taking soft gels around ovulation time to counteract oncoming PMS symptoms.

Should You Be Concerned About CBD Side Effects?

CBD is associated with very few side effects, which is a welcome change in comparison to some other over-the-counter remedies for PMS. For the most part, you may experience a bit of dry mouth, some fatigue, and possibly lower blood pressure. Most people don’t have adverse reactions to CBD products, but on a rare occasion, you may feel a bit nauseous or experience some gastrointestinal upset. As a side note, CBD may interact unexpectedly with certain medications, so it is always a good idea to discuss CBD for PMS with your doctor if you are taking anything else.

Find the Best CBD for PMS from Nirvana CBD

PMS can be serious, and you’re no doubt serious about finding relief. To ensure using CBD for PMS leads to the best outcome, finding the best CBD products is ever-important. At Nirvana CBD, we take true pride in our products, which are award-winning and top-rated.

Every CBD product we offer is crafted with care from US-grown, high-quality hemp. And, each product goes through rigorous third-party testing before it becomes available. We utilize broad-spectrum CBD to ensure you get the full advantage of CBD and other cannabinoids without worries of THC.

If you’re looking to find the best CBD to help bring balance to your life, check out our diverse collection of CBD tinctures, soft gels, topicals, and more!

Thanks for joining us today for our latest article, we hoped that it helped to shed some light on this important topic! If you have any questions, comments, or perhaps an experience you would like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a message in the comments section below and be sure to share this article with anyone who could benefit from the knowledge it provides.

The information contained in this article is not intended to serve as a substitute for advice or guidance from a certified doctor or lawyer. Before trying Cannabidiol (CBD) or purchasing any CBD product, you should always conduct your own research and consult with your doctor. While CBD was classified as “generally well tolerated with a good safely profile” by the World Health Organization (WHO), further research is needed in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CBD on a generalized basis.

Nirvana CBD products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.