CBD Oil and How It Benefits the Stages of Menstrual Cycle
A woman’s body goes through several hormonal changes each month to prepare for the possibility of a pregnancy. Called the menstrual cycle, it’s composed of four stages or phases:
- Menstrual phase
- Follicular phase
- Ovulation phase
- Luteal phase
Some women breeze through the phases with no problems at all. But a study noted that 60% of adult women in Canada suffer from dysmenorrhea or painful menstrual cramps. And they have to live with the pain monthly until menopause.
If you’re one of them, you’re probably wondering if CBD oil can benefit each stage of the menstrual cycle.
Read on to know the benefits of CBD oil for each stage of the menstrual cycle.
Menstrual Phase or Menstruation
The menstrual phase marks the first stage of the menstrual cycle. Simply put, this is when your monthly period starts.
In this stage, the lining of your uterus starts to shed. Tissue, blood, mucus, and other waste materials go down and out of the vagina.
The duration of the menstrual phase varies. In some women, it can be as short as three days; while in others, it can go as long as seven to nine days. The menstrual phase ends as soon as the bleeding stops.
Some women don’t experience any symptoms at all during this stage. But for others, menstruation is one of their toughest times as they deal with a variety of symptoms. These symptoms could include:
- Headaches and migraine attacks
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings like irritability
- Sleep loss
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Hip and low back pain
- Nausea
- Appetite loss or increased food cravings
Again, the severity and duration of the symptoms vary.
CBD oil can definitely help a lot during this phase. Not only can it ease abdominal pain and cramping, but it can also relieve hip and low back pain. It can even help address headaches and breast tenderness.
CBD oil also has properties that can stabilize mood and reduce mood swings. It can also help relieve nausea and improve fatigue and tiredness.
The combined CBD effects can help improve sleep.
Follicular Phase
The follicular phase also starts as soon as the menstrual phase begins. However, compared to the menstrual phase, this phase ends once you ovulate.
During this state, the brain releases a special hormone called the follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH. This hormone then activates the ovaries to start producing follicles on their surfaces. These are small sacs that contain immature eggs.
The duration of this phase also varies. In some women, it can be as short as 11 days or as long as 27 days.
The eggs begin to mature as the phase continues. However, only one will develop to become a mature egg. As for the immature eggs, the body will absorb them back.
The mature egg also triggers the production of more estrogen and the thickening of the uterine lining. This prepares the uterus for implantation, in case of a pregnancy.
The follicular phase contrast with the symptoms of the menstrual phase. During this phase, you feel more energetic with a higher energy level. Your skin is also glowing, and you radiate optimism and beauty. You also feel more sociable, happier, and sexier.
This phase prepares your body for pregnancy. So, if you’re suffering from painful intercourse and it’s preventing you from enjoying a healthier sex life, then CBD can help ease your pain and discomfort. It also helps relax your mind and reduce your stress and anxiety, so you can enjoy the time better.
Ovulation Phase
Estrogen levels remain high during the ovulation phase. It triggers a cascade of signals that further prepare your body for pregnancy. One of these is the production and release of luteinizing hormone or LH, a special hormone that kickstarts the ovulation phase.
Your ovary releases the mature egg and travels down through your fallopian tube. It’s here that sperm can fertilize the egg.
In some women with a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation is at its peak on the 14th day and can last anywhere from 16 to 32 hours. This phase is characterized by a higher-than-normal basal body temperature and a thick, whitish discharge from the vagina.
The chance of getting pregnant during this stage is very high, especially five to three days before and including the peak of ovulation. With the mature egg surviving for up to 24 hours, the chance of getting pregnant is increased.
If you’re ready to get pregnant but are suffering from sexual performance anxiety, then CBD oil can also help you during the ovulation phase. It can help ease stress and anxiety, and it can also help you relax. CBD can also reduce pain and discomfort if you’re suffering from pain during sexual intercourse.
Luteal Phase
After the ovulation phase, the follicles in the ovaries turn into corpus luteum and release a hormone called progesterone. This further thickens the uterine lining and prepares it for implantation and possible pregnancy. The ovaries also continue to produce estrogen, but at a lower level than the previous phase.
If fertilization is successful, your body produces another special hormone called chorionic gonadotropin or hCG. This keeps the uterine lining thick to support the developing fertilized egg.
If fertilization isn’t successful, the corpus luteum shrinks, and your body will reabsorb it back. The hormone levels drop, triggering the start of the menstrual phase.
In some women, the luteal phase can be as short as 11 days or as long as 17 days. Again, the duration varies.
90% of women develop premenstrual symptoms or PMS during this phase, and the severity of the symptoms also varies. They can be very mild and unnoticeable to severe and they also begin affecting their day-to-day life.
If you’re experiencing severe PMS symptoms, know that CBD oil can also help during this phase. It can ease headaches, abdominal pain and cramping, mood swings, and sleep loss.
Conclusion
CBD can benefit each phase of the menstrual cycle. So, if you want to try CBD oil, be sure to choose a good product wisely.
Read reviews about the brand. See to it, too, that the product underwent laboratory testing to check for potency and any impurities. Read about CBD dosing, so you know how much CBD to use.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask the provider questions, especially when it comes to their product’s safety, potency, quality, and ingredients.
