From endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and menopause, a growing number of women are turning to cannabis-based medicines for relief. But how much do we truly know—and what areas still require further research?

Faced with long waiting lists within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and limited treatment options in mainstream healthcare, many women are seeking alternative therapies to manage menstruation-related symptoms.

Since 2020, the NHS gynecology waiting list has more than doubled, with over 750,000 women currently waiting for diagnosis or treatment.

Against this backdrop, medical cannabis clinics report a rising number of female patients seeking help for perimenopause and menopause symptoms, as well as gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis. Women are also more likely to experience anxiety, pain, and sleep disturbance—some of the most common reasons for prescribing cannabinoids.

Alternaleaf, a UK medical cannabis clinic, recently launched the country’s first clinical service dedicated to women’s health issues. In a survey of 500 NHS doctors, three-quarters agreed that treatment options for conditions such as endometriosis, PMDD, and menopause are too limited.

Overall, 80% of general practitioners said they would be willing to prescribe cannabis-based medicines for these conditions if they were included in NHS treatment pathways.

Although observational studies show promising patient-reported outcomes, scientific understanding of how these treatments work—especially in women—remains limited.


Growing Evidence From Real-World Data

Around the world, real-world evidence databases are capturing the experiences of women using medical cannabis.

A Canadian survey found that more than one-third of women use cannabis products to ease common menopausal symptoms, including sleep issues, pain, and anxiety. Another study from the Menopause Society showed that women over 50 represent the fastest-growing demographic of cannabis users in the United States.

While clinical research on the benefits of medical cannabis for perimenopause and menopause is still limited, studies exploring its use for pain-related conditions—such as endometriosis—have reported highly encouraging results.

Early findings show that CBD vaginal suppositories significantly reduced the frequency and severity of menstrual-related symptoms compared with traditional painkillers. Participants also reported improved daily functioning and reduced need for other analgesics.

A 2022 systematic review analyzing studies on adult women using cannabinoids for gynecological pain—including chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, endometriosis, and interstitial cystitis—found that 61% to 96% of women experienced effective pain relief.

European studies on endometriosis patients indicate that cannabis medicines can significantly improve mental and physical well-being and overall quality of life. Data from Australian researchers suggest that most women using cannabis to relieve endometriosis symptoms believe it works better than conventional medications.

The NHS is currently funding a clinical trial on CBD for endometriosis. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh describe CBD as a “promising therapeutic option” due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-proliferative, and neuroprotective properties.


Female Hormones and Areas Requiring Further Research

Researchers emphasize the need for more rigorous clinical trials focusing specifically on women.

There is still much we do not know about how cannabis biologically affects women. Some studies suggest hormonal fluctuations may increase sensitivity to THC, while others find minimal gender differences when inhaling vaporized cannabis.

Despite this, women remain underrepresented in clinical trials. Moreover, stigma and fear related to cannabis use continue to prevent open communication with healthcare providers. An Australian study found that more than half of women using cannabis for endometriosis symptoms worried that cannabis-related stigma could negatively impact their daily lives. Only one-third were willing to disclose their cannabis use to their doctors.


Looking Ahead

Cannabis-based medicines show growing potential for managing symptoms, improving women’s health outcomes, and enhancing quality of life—especially when traditional therapies fall short.

While real-world evidence is compelling, robust, women-centered clinical trials and more open clinical dialogue are essential to ensuring safe, informed, and equitable access to cannabis-based healthcare.