Is it that time of month again? Unfortunately living through our periods is one of the not so delightful things about being a woman. In fact, data shows that anywhere from fifty to upwards of eighty percent of women report severe discomfort during their periods.1 This discomfort doesn’t stop at cramps. That time of month tends to leave us feeling tired and a little on edge. Hormonal changes lead to unpredictable moods and of course sudden cravings for chocolate! The average menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 24-38 days and the average menstruation period between 4-8 days. Young girls start their periods between the ages 11-14 and we continue to have them until around the age of 51. So while you may not be able to run away from that time of month, there are solutions that can make it a little more bearable.
Cannabis has been used by ancient civilizations for thousands of years to deal with many ailments, so it’s no surprise that menstrual pain is listed as one of them. Steeping the cannabis leaf in hot water and administering that to women suffering from severe menstrual pain was a common practice in ancient India.2 Today, we have so many options for consumption that are worth giving a try if that time of month is giving you grief. Whether you choose to inhale or take something edible, you’ll find that cannabis might just take that edge off. When it comes to knowing the right solutions to your PMS problems, look no further than Palmer Jane’s special curated collection of PMS products.
PMS manifests itself differently for everyone. In fact it’s a pretty broad condition that encompasses a wide variety of symptoms that range from both psychological and physical in form. Women can experience everything from cramping and muscle aches to fatigue, depression and irritability. Determining which of these symptoms are your strongest will help you arrive at the correct application of cannabis for you. If you find that muscle tension and tenderness is your most predominant symptom you might consider topical applications of cannabis such as creams and other bath and body products. If your symptoms range more on the psychological scale you might find that a cannabis tablet or something you inhale to be your best bet. Given this condition’s complexity you will find cannabis products in every category of consumption and for both day and night time use. Keep in mind that it may take you a couple of cycles to figure out just the right products and dosage for you.
Interesting studies have shown that an important terpene for easing the discomfort of PMS is geraniol. This terpene is found naturally in roses and lemongrass. A study out of Iran found that just using aromatherapy with damask rose, a flower rich in geraniol, reduced the psychological, physical and social symptoms of pms in their patients.3 Caryophyllene is another important terpene for symptom management, as it is a powerful anti-inflammatory terpene that can help with the muscle inflammation and bloating that is associated with PMS.
As you can see you don’t have to let that time of month slow you down. Cannabis might be your answer to stopping PMS in its tracks. Melt away those cramps, shake off fatigue, stop mood swings and seize the day with cannabis on your side!
- https://medlineplus.gov/menstruation.html [↩]
- Tatkon, M. “The practice of a Jaipur midwife.” Ethnomedicine 2 (1976): 59. [↩]
- Heydari, Naval, et al. “Evaluation of aromatherapy with essential oils of Rosa damascena for the management of premenstrual syndrome.” International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 142.2 (2018): 156-161. [↩]