Tampons infused with CBD, or cannabidiol, have shown significant promise in reducing severe cramps and menstrual pain, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders. The researchers found that CBD-infused tampons provided pain relief with fewer side effects compared to anti-inflammatory medications commonly used for menstrual pain.
The study involved a randomized, placebo-controlled design where participants were unaware if they were using a CBD-infused tampon or a standard one. They reported their pain levels and satisfaction with the product. The researchers also conducted tests to assess the safety of the CBD-infused tampons, including evaluating potential risks such as vaginal irritation, sensitization, systemic toxicity, material-mediated pyrogenicity, and toxic shock syndrome.
The findings indicated that the CBD-infused tampons achieved statistically significant pain reduction during the first and third months of the study. The authors explained that CB1 and CB2 receptors, which interact with CBD, are widely distributed throughout the uterine tissue, making it an ideal target for localized deposition of cannabinoids to alleviate pain.
The lead author of the study is Valentina Milanova, who is also the founder and CEO of Daye, a gynecological research company that sells what they claim is the world’s first CBD tampon. All authors of the study have financial ties to Daye’s parent company.
The study revealed that less than 5 percent of participants experienced irritation related to the CBD-infused tampon. Additionally, between 37 percent and 40 percent reported improvement in vaginal dryness. However, two patients reported experiencing vertigo while using the product, but these events quickly resolved after removal of the CBD tampon.
While the study supports the efficacy and usability of CBD-infused tampons for managing menstrual pain, the small sample size warrants further investigation. The authors suggest enhancing research designs by capturing pain data both before and after application of the CBD-infused tampon and introducing a crossover design.
These findings add to a growing body of research showing that cannabinoids, including CBD, can effectively and safely treat various forms of pain. For example, recent studies have found that medical marijuana and opioids are equally effective at mitigating chronic pain but that cannabis also provides additional holistic benefits, such as improving sleep and emotional well-being.
Separate research has also demonstrated that CBD specifically is a safe and effective treatment for dental pain, carrying less medical risk than opioids. Furthermore, allowing people to buy CBD legally has been shown to significantly reduce opioid prescription rates. Medical marijuana use has been linked to lower pain levels, reduced dependence on opioids and other prescription medications, improved physical and mental functioning, better sleep quality and mood, and overall improvements in quality of life.
In conclusion, the study on CBD-infused tampons suggests that they could be a promising option for managing menstrual pain while potentially offering fewer side effects compared to traditional anti-inflammatory medications. However, further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to confirm these findings and enhance research designs.
