Approximately 85% of individuals experience pain and discomfort during their menstrual cycles, with dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramping) being the most prevalent symptom, according to research. While common treatments include heating pads and over-the-counter medications, Forbes Health survey data indicates 22% of Gen Z CBD respondents and 14% of all respondents take CBD to alleviate menstrual cramping. The survey ranks using CBD for menstrual cramps as the fifth most popular reason why Gen Z participants use CBD products.
Menstrual cramps are caused by uterine contractions induced by prostaglandins (hormone-like chemical substances in the body associated with pain and inflammation). Since CBD may help with pain and inflammation, it makes sense for people to use it for menstrual discomfort, explains Jessica Cho, M.D., a Forbes Health Advisory Board member and founder of Wellness at Century City in Los Angeles, adding that she wasn’t surprised by the survey findings.
Does CBD Help Alleviate Menstrual Cramps?
Additional clinical studies are necessary to determine if CBD products with less than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the legal U.S. THC limit in CBD products—can alleviate menstrual cramps.
CBD’s effect on menstrual cramps may involve its relationship with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), which contains neurotransmitters, enzymes and receptors that regulate many physiological processes, from motor control and emotional responses to pain and inflammation. CBD may interact with the ECS in a way that affects pain perception, according to Dr. Cho. Some research indicates THC binds with ECS receptors in a way that can alleviate pain, but further analysis is needed to fully understand CBD’s relationship within the same system.
Of note, a small 2023 study in the Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders found evidence among 63 participants that CBD-infused tampons may help alleviate period pain. Additional clinical studies are needed to confirm and expand these findings, as well as alternative applications of CBD for menstrual cramping.
If an individual is prone to cramping during their period, Dr. Cho recommends getting ahead of the pain. Depending on the severity and frequency of the cramping, she suggests taking 25 to 35 milligrams of CBD isolate every day, up to seven days before your period. She also recommends opting for tinctures or gummies.
CBD may not work for everyone experiencing menstrual cramping. For alternative menstrual pain relief, Kelly Culwell, M.D., a board-certified OB-GYN and Forbes Health Advisory Board member, recommends the following:
- Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Heat therapy
- Alternative therapies, like meditation or yoga
Most Common Reasons for CBD Use by Generation
While Gen Z is turning to CBD products to alleviate menstrual cramping, each generation has its own trends when it comes to use cases. The Forbes Health survey asked respondents about their top reasons for using CBD and found responses vary by age.
Baby boomers and the Silent Generation use CBD most often to manage chronic pain (58%), sleep better (38%), reduce stress and anxiety (36%), improve inflammation (33%) and support mental health (11%). Meanwhile, Gen X prioritizes using CBD to manage stress and anxiety (53%), sleep better (48%), alleviate chronic pain (48%), help with inflammation (36%) and support mental health (25%).
Mental health plays a larger role for millennials and Gen Z, per the survey data. Millennials mostly use CBD to manage stress and anxiety (55%), improve sleep (53%), support mental health (43%), manage chronic pain (36%) and improve inflammation (28%). Younger generations are also more likely to use CBD to enhance their sex lives (18% of millennials and 16% of Gen Z).
Gen Z CBD users report the highest percentage of CBD use for stress and anxiety, at 62%. This age group also reports using CBD to improve sleep (50%), support mental health (43%) and manage chronic pain (22%). Of note, the same percentage (22%) of Gen Z CBD users take CBD to help manage and alleviate menstrual cramps as those who use CBD to improve chronic pain.
Is CBD Effective?
More than half (56%) of respondents say they experienced some desired effect from taking CBD. This percentage was highest among millennials (64%) and lowest among baby boomers and the Silent Generation (40%).
Of those who report taking CBD for at least four years, only 7% say they didn’t experience any desired effects, according to survey results. The same was true for 6% of respondents who report taking CBD for one to three years. However, that percentage jumped to 18% for respondents who have only been taking CBD for up to a month.
Despite these findings, both Dr. Culwell and Dr. Cho say they haven’t seen a correlation between time and CBD effectiveness.“[Something] that might account for that finding is that people who are getting benefits [from CBD] stay on it longer, and people who are not getting benefits drop off of it earlier,” suggests Dr. Culwell.
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