By Adam Parsons


Reports estimate that women’s health will reach a market size of over $58 billion by 2030 in the United States alone. This field focuses on providing solutions to a range of issues that women face, including infertility, endometriosis, menopause, and osteoporosis.A variety of drugs and lifestyle interventions hold promise for these physiological phenomena. But where does cannabis stand among these options?

From a dangerous drug to a perceived panacea, countries the world over have started to change their opinions on cannabis. Abandoning draconian histrionics and giving credence to science has helped to form this approach. Naturally, biased media, supplement companies, and the newly emerging cannabis-industrial-complex have fallen into the trap of elevating hype above fact. Ostentatious marketing aside, researchers continue studying cannabis in this domain, and reputable companies are transmuting these findings into honest products.

But cannabis doesn’t only hold promise as one of many interventions when it comes to women’s health. There’s also a lot that women can do for the burgeoning cannabis industry. Reports show that almost half of cannabis users in US herb hot spots, such as Colorado and California, are females. Cannabis has become more than a recreational drug in these areas, becoming more of a lifestyle. Female entrepreneurs in these regions are spearheading companies developing products for different areas of women’s lives—everything from bath bombs to supplements marketed to manage menstrual cramps.

Below, we’re going to dive into all of the areas that cannabis could help to manage women’s health in the domains of gynaecology (the study of the reproductive system) and obstetrics (the field concerned with childbirth and midwifery). We’ll take a look at what the science says, and imagine where these findings could steer the future marketplace.

The History of Cannabis and Women’s Health

While ongoing studies are still attempting to confirm the medical utility of cannabis, historical records inform us that our ancestors used the herb to try and treat myriad ailments. These documents reveal that people of previous epochs put all parts of the herb to use, including the flowers, roots, and seeds. Important figures throughout history took time to investigate the medicinal potential of cannabis, from Emperor Shen Nung to Galen.

Interestingly, cannabis also has a rich history as a folk medicine in the niches of obstetrics and gynaecology, and women’s health in general. The oldest known reference[1] to cannabis for female health conditions stems from Ancient Mesopotamia. The Egyptian Pharmacopoeia also documents the vaginal application of cannabis, and the Ebers Papyrus, dated 1534 BC, describes the use of cannabis as an aid during childbirth. A long list of evidence exists surrounding the use of cannabis for women’s health in antiquity. Closer to the modern era, reports suggest that Queen Victoria (1819–1902 AD) received monthly cannabis prescriptions from her personal physician, Sir John Russel Reynolds, to relieve menstrual discomfort. Reynolds also wrote, “Indian hemp is of great service in cases of simple spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.”

The connection between medical marijuana and women goes way back into history. But the historical use of cannabis doesn’t necessarily justify its use within the modern scientific paradigm. So, what does modern research reveal about cannabis and its relationship to obstetrics and gynaecology? Find out everything you need to know below.

Cannabis Administration Methods

There are myriad ways to take cannabis, from the archaic to the modern. Let’s explore some of the ways that women can take cannabis before we delve into some studies:

  • Smoking: Combusting cannabis spans way back into human history. It offers a fast onset of effects but comes with obvious health risks.
Women Using Cannabis To Improve Their Lifestyle
  • Vaping: A modern spin on smoking, vaping uses lower temperatures to target desirable phytochemicals without combusting plant material. Much like smoking, it also offers a rapid onset. Although it produces less toxic by-products, it still comes with health risks.
Women Using Cannabis To Improve Their Lifestyle
  • Oral: Oral cannabis products come in many forms, from gummies and capsules to cakes. This route of administration takes longer to produce an effect, as THC and other compounds must first travel through the stomach and liver. Oral cannabis containing THC hits much harder, as the liver transforms the molecule into the more potent metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC.
Women Using Cannabis To Improve Their Lifestyle
  • Sublingual: Extracts and oils placed under the tongue gain rapid access into the bloodstream by diffusing into the capillary bed located here. Sublingual products offer a quick onset while completely sidestepping the health concerns associated with smoking and vaping.
Women Using Cannabis To Improve Their Lifestyle
  • Intravaginal administration: Products that autumn into this category include cannabinoid-infused tampons. The vagina is recognised as a route of drug administration in the medical field; molecules absorbed here bypass liver metabolism and produce both local and systemic effects.
Women Using Cannabis To Improve Their Lifestyle

The Role of the ECS In Women’s Health

Cannabis impacts the body in many different ways. However, as its name suggests, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) chiefly underpins the effects of the herb. Known as the universal regulator of the human body, the ECS helps to keep other physiological systems in balance or homeostasis. Composed of signalling molecules known as endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes, this network shows up all over the body, including the female reproductive system. Contemporary evidence suggests that the ECS helps to control:

  • Mood
  • Stress
  • Appetite
  • Bone turnover
  • Neurotransmitter firing
  • Ovarian endocrine secretion

Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoids

But how exactly does cannabis influence this system? Surely a herb found in nature only impacts the human body in arbitrary ways? Quite the opposite. Cannabis contains several families of molecules, including cannabinoids. Compounds such as THC and CBD belong to this class. Some of these chemicals (THC included) mimic the endocannabinoids that activate ECS receptors in the body. This means they essentially “hack” the ECS, and serve as a means of influencing the master regulator of the body. Other cannabinoids, such as CBD, work in more indirect ways. Instead of activating ECS receptors, they are able to transiently disrupt enzymatic pathways[2], potentially boosting levels of endocannabinoids.

Cannabis and Gynaecology

Gynaecology is a field of medicine focused on diseases that exclusively affect women. Therefore, gynaecologists treat conditions that affect the female reproductive system, including the vagina, ovaries, and womb. These physicians manage a range of diseases that impact these anatomical areas, including infections, different cancers, infertility, incontinence, and premenstrual syndrome. Researchers are currently exploring how cannabis might one-day slot into this field of medicine.

Period Pain

The results[3] of a questionnaire featuring a sample size of over 400 women, published in the Journal of Pain Resolution, found that around 84% of women experience period pain[4], with 43% reporting pain during every period. Other findings suggest that 5–10% of women experience pain severe enough to disrupt their daily life. Cannabis seemed to help Queen Victoria in this regard, but what does the research say? No controlled studies have assessed the effects of cannabis on period pain. However, a qualitative study[5] published in 2014 asked 192 women if they had used weed to relieve period pain. A strong 85% of the sample answered yes, and 90% of these women said the herb helped. Although human studies are required to confirm this, several companies have already released tampons containing THC and CBD.

Women Using Cannabis To Improve Their Lifestyle

Premenstrual Syndrome

Women often experience a variety of signs and symptoms in the weeks leading up to their period, including mood swings, tender breasts, fatigue, and irritability. Collectively, these symptoms are known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). As you might expect, not many human studies have pitched cannabis against this battery of symptoms. However, ongoing studies are looking to see if cannabis can combat insomnia, irritability, depression, and joint pain. Researchers state that these conditions share overlap with PMS, and that future studies should explore whether the herb can help to ameliorate the symptoms of PMS.

Women Using Cannabis To Improve Their Lifestyle

Endometriosis

Endometriosis[6] can affect women of any age. It occurs when the type of tissue that lines the womb starts to grow elsewhere, including the ovaries. This unusual growth causes symptoms such as pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, infertility, and excessive bleeding. A paper published in PLoS One documents a study[7] in which 252 women disclosed how both inhaled and orally ingested cannabis impacted their endometriosis symptoms. The findings show promise for the use of inhaled cannabis for gastrointestinal symptoms, pain, and mood. Randomized controlled trials are required to validate these self-reported results.

Sex

For many, sex serves to deepen intimate connections through physical pleasure. However, not everyone enjoys sex, at least not all of the time. Anxiety, vaginal dryness, and low sex drive are all factors that can cause women to avoid sex with their partners. Can weed improve sex for these women? Ongoing studies are attempting to find out. For example, a 2019 study[8] published in the journal Sexual Medicine sought to find a relationship between using cannabis before sex, sexual function in women, and improved satisfaction with orgasm. While scientists continue their quest, companies have already developed cannabis products for women designed to improve sex, including lubricants.

Menopause

We can’t talk about marijuana and women’s health without discussing menopause—a time when a woman’s periods stop due to lower hormone levels. Typically, this occurs between the age of 45–55. The reduction of hormones such as oestrogen causes a range of symptoms, including hot flushes, sleep issues, palpitations, muscle and joint aches, weight gain, reduced sex drive, and migraine. Does cannabis benefit menopause symptoms? We’re still awaiting solid clinical trials, but a survey[9] published in the journal Menopause found that the majority of women questioned endorsed using medical cannabis for menopause-related symptoms, including sleep issues, mood, and anxiety. What about CBD and menopause? Again, human trials are lacking, but early studies are testing the cannabinoid in models of anxiety[10], pain[11], and migraine[12].

Women Using Cannabis To Improve Their Lifestyle

Cannabis and Obstetrics

Whereas gynaecology focuses on women’s reproductive health, obstetrics specifically concerns pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Does medical cannabis have a place during this time, or does it cause more harm than good? Find out below.

Pregnancy

Using cannabis during pregnancy remains a highly controversial topic; the thought of a pregnant woman smoking cannabis doesn't bode well with most people. While the majority of women steer well clear of cannabis during pregnancy, a data set[13] published in the journal Addictive Behaviours found that over 14% of pregnant adolescents in the US reported past-month marijuana use. Because pregnancy can cause symptoms such as nausea, some women wonder where it’s okay to use cannabis when pregnant. Right now, the evidence suggests that the risks far outweigh any reward, with associations between prenatal cannabis exposure and impaired foetal growth and development. As far as using CBD while pregnant goes, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States strongly advises against it[14].

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is another area of interest when it comes to cannabis and women. Breastfeeding causes varying degrees of pain in many women, making cannabis a tempting natural form of relief. However, using cannabis postpartum can still expose babies to risk. Cannabinoids such as THC are fat-soluble, are stored in the body’s fat reserves, and make their way into breastmilk, which can cause symptoms of sedation and weakness in a feeding child. Based on this, the Centre for Disease Control advises avoiding all forms of cannabis while breastfeeding.

The Future of Cannabis in Obstetric and Gynaecological Health

The future looks bright for cannabis and women’s health. Early studies are exploring the use of the herb for various ailments that affect females, as well as for specific symptoms that overlap with other conditions. Adding to this, female entrepreneurs in legalised countries and states are grabbing the reins and spearheading product design to optimise cannabinoid administration for specific health conditions and symptoms. While the evidence pool remains shallow for now, future findings will likely justify the use of cannabis products for various gynaecological issues. However, the current science suggests that the herb has much less role—and likely poses a danger—in the field of obstetrics.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabis Treatments in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Historical Review https://www.tandfonline.com
  2. Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Prevalence of menstrual pain in young women: what is dysmenorrhea? - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283180551Using_marijuana_to_cope_with_the_pain_and_other_symptoms_of_medical_abortions_and_menstrualperiods
  5. Cannabis and symptoms of PMS and PMDD https://www.tandfonline.com
  6. Effects of cannabis ingestion on endometriosis-associated pelvic pain and related symptoms - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. The Relationship between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and Sexual Function in Women https://www.smoa.jsexmed.org
  8. A survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  9. Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report https://journals.sagepub.com
  10. The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence | SpringerLink https://link.springer.com
  11. Medicinal Properties of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids in Cannabis, and Benefits in Migraine, Headache, and Pain: An Update on Current Evidence and Cannabis Science https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  12. Substance use and teen pregnancy in the United States: Evidence from the NSDUH 2002–2012 https://www.sciencedirect.com
  13. What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding | FDA https://www.fda.gov
  14. Pregnancy | Health Effects | Marijuana | CDC https://www.cdc.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: