Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

Some women will experience changes in their skin, hair, bowel movements, chronic disease symptoms, headaches, mental health, as well as the way they experience sex during the different points throughout the menstrual cycle. Here’s an overview of each phase of your cycle:

• Menstruation: Also known as the period, menstruation refers to the shedding of the uterine lining. During menstruation, your levels of estrogen and progesterone are particularly low.

• Follicular phase: This refers to the time between the first day of your period and ovulation. Estrogen levels begin to rise in order to prepare the release of an egg.

• Proliferative phase: After the period, uterine lining is built back up again. 

• Ovulation: Ovulation occurs mid-cycle, releasing the egg from the ovary. During this phase, estrogen peaks just beforehand and drops shortly after.

• Luteal phase: This refers to the time between ovulation and prior to the start of menstruation. The body begins to prepare for possible pregnancy so progesterone is produced, peaks during the luteal phase, and then drops.

• Secretory phase: The uterine lining creates chemicals that either support early pregnancy or help prepare the lining to break down and shed if no pregnancy occurs.

Options are limited for managing painful symptoms like cramps, backaches, and joint pain. Some women use NSAIDs or even prescription pharmaceuticals which all have a laundry list of undesirable side effects. There are self-care and management options available including warm baths, warm compresses, keeping hydrated, and focusing on proper nutrition. 

Tip: Try soaking in a warm bath with our Pause Bath Bomb to help soothe aches and pains.

Common PMS Symptoms

About 90% of women will experience PMS symptoms during some point in their lifetime, while 20% to 30% of women experience clinically significant PMS that impacts their day to day lives. PMS symptoms tend to increase in women around age 40. 

How to Use CBD for PMS and Menstrual Symptoms

All cannabinoid therapy varies from person to person, including managing PMS and menstruation symptoms. The results and effectiveness highly vary on the person, the administration method, product cannabinoid profile, timing, and dosage. Some women take CBD on an as-needed basis while others will take it consistently for preventative and overall management. 

CBD Dosage for PMS

Because everyone is different, CBD dosage for PMS tends to vary from one person to the next. We recommend self-experimenting with dosage and timing to find what works best for you. When it comes to understanding the effects of any new supplementation, it’s also wise to keep a journal where you track your dosage, timing, and menstrual symptoms. This can give you a clear set of data points for creating the proper CBD regimen for PMS, allowing you to better understand how it affects you. 

CBD for PMS – FAQ

Check out the following frequently asked questions for more information on the potential benefits of CBD for PMS and period pain.

Q: Can I take CBD oil for PMS irritability?

A: If you experience feelings of irritability during your period, you may want to consider giving CBD a try. However, there’s no guarantee that it will work. The only way to know is to try. CBD affects everyone differently. That being said, there are studies which suggest that CBD may help support individuals suffering from feelings of depression and anxiety, which are often underlying causes of irritability and mood swings. 

Q: Does CBD help with hormonal imbalance?

A: There is still much to be learned about how CBD affects hormones in the human body. However, emerging research looks promising. Studies suggest that CBD may help with hormonal imbalances by altering hormonal secretion, cell receptor response, and the breakdown of hormones. However, CBD may affect different hormones in different ways, so it’s important to do your research. For a clearer answer, you may want to consider seeking the advice of a medical professional.

Q: How do you take a CBD tincture for PMS?

A: CBD tinctures can be administered orally, topically, or sublingually. You can try adding the tincture to a beverage such as tea or coffee or taking it as is. To take the tincture sublingually, simply place a few drops beneath your tongue. 

Q: What are the benefits of full spectrum CBD tinctures for PMS?

A: The benefit of taking a full spectrum tincture instead of a broad spectrum tincture or CBD isolate is that you get to experience the full effects of something known as the “entourage effect.” The entourage effect occurs when cannabinoids and terpenes interact with each other, increasing the overall effectiveness of the product. More of these cannabinoids are present in a full spectrum tincture than a broad spectrum tincture.

Q: Can you take CBD for PMS breast pain?

A: Breast pain during menstruation is caused primarily by fluctuations in hormone levels. Due to a lack of research, it’s hard to say for certain whether CBD can help with this particular symptom of PMS. However, some studies indicate that CBD may possibly help regulate hormone imbalances and reduce inflammation which causes pain. For this reason, it’s possible that it could provide some type of relief in this situation, but there’s no way to know for certain at this time.

Press Pause CBD for PMS

As women, we understand the complicated nuances of our body chemistry and how differently our menstrual cycle impacts every one of us. That’s why we’ve handcrafted our high-quality CBD products just for you. We’re always happy to help you find the right products for viable PMS and menstruation symptom management and addressing the underlying causes. Please contact us for more information!