Cannabis and Dysmenorrhea: What Research Says About Period Pain Relief

Written by
May 05, 2026

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Cannabis and Dysmenorrhea: What Research Says About Period Pain Relief

What causes period pain, and what role does cannabinoid medicine play in alleviating symptoms?

Menstrual Cycle

The mensural cycle is a monthly regulation of hormones as the body prepares for pregnancy. This cycle is separated into four phases.

The menstrual phase starts on the first day of a period and is characterized by bleeding from the shedding of the uterine lining.

The follicular phase follows with rises in estrogen to thicken the endometrium and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to start growing the follicles in the ovary.

Ovulation occurs at day 14 with a sharp increase in luteinizing hormone to release the newly matured egg.

The luteal phase ends the cycle as the egg travels to the uterus. Progesterone rises to help the egg prepare for a pregnancy. If the egg does not get fertilized, the cycle repeats itself.

The Cause of Period Pain

These hormone fluctuations can cause mood changes, bloating, and more commonly, cramps.

The pain some women experience during their period is due to the release of prostaglandins which help the uterus contract to shed its lining.

The contractions compress blood vessels and restrict the uterus of oxygen. This is called dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by the natural chemicals produced during the menstrual cycle. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by organ disorders such as endometriosis, fibroids or adenomyosis.

Current ACOG Recommendations for Dysmenorrhea

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the professional organization that provides education and research-based guidelines for women’s health.

ACOG recommends medication management as the first line treatment for period pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) target the pathway where prostaglandins are produced and block their effects.

Birth control methods target estrogen and progestin regulation. Options such as the pill, patch, implant, or hormonal IUD can be used to treat period pain and possibly stop a period altogether.

Lifestyle, physical therapy, and alternative treatments are also recommended to help patients manage their pain.

In severe cases of secondary causes of dysmenorrhea, uterine artery embolization, fibroid removal, or a definitive hysterectomy can be done. (1)

The Endocannabinoid System on Uterine Anatomy and Function

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) uses endogenous cannabinoids to modulate CB1 and CB2 receptors (CB1/2R) throughout the body.

The ECS has demonstrated its ability to affect the hormones specifically on the hypothalamic and gonadal hormone axis. Activation of this system decreases gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which can prolong the follicular phase leading to decreased follicle maturation and delayed ovulation. (2)

CB1R are prominent in the glandular epithelium and CB2R are found in the glands and stroma of the uterus. (3) Specifically, CB1 has been found to play a role in myometrial relaxation. (4) This creates an avenue where cannabinoid receptors are potential targets for menstrual related pain reduction.

Current Research Assessing Cannabis on Period Pain

Period related pain is the number one complaint from people who menstruate. Current treatment recommendations are often said to provide incomplete relief or unwanted side effects. This has created a need for alternative forms of treatment.

One study investigated the role of the ECS on mouse myometrium contractility. When researchers activated the ECS, uterine contractions decreased and the muscle became less active. When they blocked CB1R, the uterus contracted more strongly suggesting that the ECS can play a role in helping to limit excessive contractions. (5)

One cohort study looked at participants with diagnosed endometriosis who were prescribed medicinal cannabis. Weekly pain and quality of life scores were obtained with surveys and questionnaires for three months. Results showed that overall pain scores were decreased with significant improvement in their quality of life. (6)

These findings support the claim that cannabis can be a proposed treatment for dysmenorrhea.

Conclusion  

The uterine-ECS axis is a complex system regulated by diverse hormone and chemical signaling. While available treatment options for period pain are useful, many people are looking for alternative methods of treatment. Current research on the role of medical cannabis is limited.  Future research should be focused on the biochemical effects in human subjects for more quantitative data. This would offer further applications that go beyond the current uses for medical cannabis. 

Want to learn more about female health and cannabinoid medicine? Check out this course from ACS: Cannabis in Obstetrics and Gynecology

 

References:

  1. “Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods.” ACOG, www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods. 
  2. Walker OS, Holloway AC, Raha S. The role of the endocannabinoid system in female reproductive tissues. J Ovarian Res. 2019 Jan 15;12(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s13048-018-0478-9. PMID: 30646937; PMCID: PMC6332911. 
  3. Di Blasio, A. M., Vignali, M., & Gentilini, D. (2013). The endocannabinoid pathway and the female reproductive organs. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 50(1), R1-R9. Retrieved Mar 7, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1530/JME-12-0182 
  4. Seifalian A, Kenyon J, Khullar V. Dysmenorrhoea: Can Medicinal Cannabis Bring New Hope for a Collective Group of Women Suffering in Pain, Globally? Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Dec 19;23(24):16201. doi: 10.3390/ijms232416201. PMID: 36555842; PMCID: PMC9780805. 
  5. Pagano E, Orlando P, Finizio S, Rossi A, Buono L, Iannotti FA, Piscitelli F, Izzo AA, Di Marzo V, Borrelli F. Role of the endocannabinoid system in the control of mouse myometrium contractility during the menstrual cycle. Biochem Pharmacol. 2017 Jan 15;124:83-93. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.11.023. Epub 2016 Nov 27. PMID: 27899300. 
  6. Henry C, Cooper L, Adler H, Sinclair J, Martin A, Semprini A, Mikocka-Walus A, Armour M. Perceived impact of medicinal cannabis on pelvic pain and endometriosis related symptoms in Aotearoa New Zealand: an observational cohort study. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2026 Jan 22;26(1):60. doi: 10.1186/s12906-025-05189-y. PMID: