By: Alex Mitchell, Integrative Life and Cannabis Coach

One aspect of life that unites us all is the process of aging. Whether your biology is that of a female or a male, this beautiful journey can come with its own set of changes and adjustments. During this transformative time, some seek alternative approaches to support our well-being and health. Cannabis as a supplement has shown promise in addressing certain age-related concerns.

Perimenopause, menopause and andropause are the focus of this article. Information about other issues affecting seniors can be found by clicking on the tags on the right side of the screen.

Perimenopause and Menopause Affect Women

Perimenopause and menopause are transformative stages in a woman's life as she enters her middle essence. The two are generally associated with physical symptoms (1) including hormonal changes and menopause is determined by the cessation of the menstrual cycle for one year.

Here are some common outward signs many women experience during these stages:

• Irregular periods: During perimenopause, characterized by menstrual cycle changes, including irregular periods, changes in flow, or skipped periods. When a woman has twelve consecutive months without a period, she is considered to be in menopause.
• Hot flashes and night sweats: Hot flashes are sudden, intense feelings of warmth that can be accompanied by flushing, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat. They vary in frequency and intensity among women and may be experienced at any time of day or night. Some women experience night sweats and episodes of excessive sweating during sleep. For some women, hot flashes and night sweats decrease as she transitions to menopause from perimenopause. For others, they remain an issue for some time.
• Mood changes: Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or feelings of sadness.
• Sleep disturbances: Many women experience difficulties with sleep during this stage of life, including insomnia, disrupted sleep patterns, or frequent waking up during the night.
• Vaginal changes: Perimenopause can cause vaginal dryness, itching, or discomfort during intercourse due to decreased estrogen levels. These symptoms may increase as a woman transitions to the menopausal stage.

Not all women in their middle essence experience the same symptoms or to the same degree. Frequency and intensity can vary greatly among women, and can also vary within the woman as she ages. Some women may experience relatively mild perimenopause, while others may experience more severe or prolonged effects.

Andropause Affects Men

Andropause (2) is otherwise known as ”male menopause” (3) yet it is not a medical diagnosis, at least not at this time. Unlike women and menopause, men do not experience the sudden drop in hormones over a short period of time that defines it. Instead, andropause is a gradual decline of hormones. In some men, decreased testosterone may lead to mood changes, sexual dysfunction, cognitive decline, and a host of other experiences. These symptoms are very similar to those experienced by women who are in perimenopause and menopause.

How Can Cannabis Help?

Because Cannabis supplements the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which in turn affects all systems of the body, it is a great adjunct to other lifestyle changes that may aid in the experience of aging. Some research has been conducted with women in menopause or postmenopause. However, there is a distinct lack of research for men and the experience of andropause. This is not unexpected, as at this point there is no medical diagnosis of andropause. However, anecdotal reports from colleagues of Cannabis use in male aging are supportive.

According to a survey (4) conducted in 2016, involving 115 women in menopause or postmenopause, Cannabis was perceived as helpful but varied in effectiveness across symptoms. The study revealed that a greater number of women reported benefits for symptoms such as joint/muscle discomfort, irritability, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, and hot flashes. Conversely, symptoms like heart discomfort, exhaustion, vaginal dryness, and bladder problems were less likely to be alleviated by Cannabis use. The researchers highlighted that the symptoms most likely to be improved by Cannabis were often unresponsive to hormone therapy. Consequently, this finding suggests that Cannabis could be an appealing addition to hormone therapy for certain women.

A more recent study (5) published in 2022 was conducted with 131 perimenopausal and 127 post-menopausal women and aimed to explore the use of Cannabis in addressing menopause-related symptoms. The findings revealed that the top three symptoms reported by participants for which they used Cannabis as treatment were sleep disturbance (67.4%), mood/anxiety (46.1%), and libido (30.4%). The responses from both groups were generally similar, with one notable difference: a higher percentage of perimenopausal participants reported using Cannabis to manage mood/anxiety symptoms.

My Personal Perimenopause Experience with Cannabis

In my experience, I have controlled my perimenopause symptoms with Cannabis. I supplement daily with a multi-cannabinoid tincture that includes CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBGA and THCA. If I do not consume this daily, hot flashes and difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep return immediately. I have tested this on myself multiple times over the past several years. I have determined that one or more of these cannabinoids help my ECS maintain homeostasis in my body and prevent hot flashes and support my sleep. Notably for me, if I consume only THC, my perimenopause symptoms return immediately. The addition of the other cannabinoids is what work for me and my ECS.

Where to Learn More about Your ECS

If the use of Cannabis for perimenopause, menopause or andropause is intriguing to you, the best way to get started is to begin to learn about your ECS and the cannabinoids that make up the Cannabis plant. The following resources are a place to start your educational journey:

ECS Intro - The Endocannabinoid System: Essential and Mysterious by Dr. Peter Grinspoon

Cannabis Basics at Healer.com - Dr. Dustin Sulak of Healer.com provide a free resource that contains a comprehensive Cannabis 101 for site visitors.

Midlife Magic by Kim Sarsons - An easy-to-read yet comprehensive book about Cannabis as plant medicine, and how it can be used by women over 40 to support health.

What Next?

If you are considering using Cannabis as a supplement to assist with symptoms of perimenopause, menopause or andropause, note that you should always consult with your medical provider to ensure that no drug interactions or other issues may occur.

If you are a senior who takes prescription medication, adding a Cannabis health coach to your care team is a great idea. A coach can serve as an advocate and guide throughout the process, even aiding in discussions with your doctor. The coach can work under the oversight of your medical providers and help you determine the right Cannabis amount, method of consumption and routine that works for you.

To find a Cannabis health coach to work with you, the directory available on the Effective Cannabis Newsletter website is a great place to start. The directory provides detailed information about each coach and their areas of expertise. Whether you select a coach from the ECN website or you seek a coach from elsewhere, it is essential to select a coach who has received specialized education on the appropriate use of Cannabis for wellness.

ECN Editor’s note: As with any addition of a supplement to a healthcare routine, consultation with a healthcare professional about potential interactions with other medications is recommended. The information presented here is for educational purposes only.

References:

1. Vikram Talaulikar, Menopause transition: Physiology and symptoms, Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Volume 81, 2022, Pages 3-7, ISSN 1521-6934, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.03.003.
2. Singh P. Andropause: Current concepts. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Dec;17(Suppl 3):S621-9. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.123552. PMID: 24910824; PMCID: PMC4046605.
3. Mayo Clinic. “Male Menopause: Myth or Reality” Mayo Clinic Website. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056
4. Melissa N. Slavin, Stacey Farmer & Mitch Earleywine (2016) Expectancy mediated effects of marijuana on menopause symptoms, Addiction Research & Theory, 24:4, 322-329, DOI: 10.3109/16066359.2016.1139701
5. Dahlgren, M Kathryn et al. “A survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause.” Menopause (New York, N.Y.) vol. 29,9 (2022): 1028-1036. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002018

About Alex Mitchell:

Alex Mitchell is an Integrative Life and Cannabis Coach, educator, as well as a Cannabis medical patient. She works with people who are seeking deep change in their lives, whether that is through the use of plant medicine or other change work techniques.

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Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.