Menopause: Navigating ‘The Change’ With the Help of Cannabis
by Chane Leigh
Amongst all the benefits cannabis has to offer, a crucial risk has emerged from the results of some recent research. It appears that women who consume cannabis and are trying to conceive may have a harder time doing so. A team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, conducted a study led by Dr. Sunni L. Mumford. The study found that women who consume cannabis were 40% less likely to conceive per monthly cycle compared to women who do not consume cannabis at all.
The team of researchers made use of a broader study that has 1,200 women ages 18 to 40. These participants have reported one or two pregnancy losses and out of the larger group, only 62 of the women tested positive for cannabis consumption as well as reporting cannabis use before conception. Those 62 participants were used by Dr. Mumford and team to conduct their study on the impact of cannabis on conception.
The study found that out of the women who did become pregnant, only 42% of the cannabis consumers were successful compared to the 66% of successful pregnancies by women who do not consume cannabis. Additionally, they noted that there were “no differences in miscarriage rates between users and non-users who had achieved pregnancy”.
The researchers stated that cannabis consumers had differences in their reproductive hormones involved in ovulation in comparison to non-users. They hypothesized that those differences were the likeliest influence of the reduction in chances of conception.
“Specifically, users had higher levels of luteinizing hormone and a higher proportion of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone”.
The luteinizing hormone is responsible for stimulating the “ovaries to produce oestradiol”. During the first two weeks of a woman’s cycle, the surge in the hormone causes the release of an egg during ovulation. Once successful fertilization has occurred, the hormone then stimulates the corpus luteum in order to produce enough progesterone needed to sustain the pregnancy. However, individuals (men and women) who have high levels of luteinizing hormone run the risk of experiencing infertility, the same can also be said for hormone levels which are too low.
A study assessed the effects of chronic cannabis use on the luteinizing hormone (LH) and found that chronic use of cannabis “may selectively impair the hypothalamic control mechanisms regulating LH secretion”. However, another study conducted by Block, Farinpour, and Schlechte found that there was “no significant effect on hormone concentrations in either men or women”. This demonstrates that more research needs to be done in order to get more certain data- as with most aspects concerning cannabis and research. However, more is becoming available due to the increase in decriminalization and legalization.
Dr. Zane Hauck explored the effects of cannabis on hormones and explained that the “hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the pituitary to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)”. Dr. Hauck goes on to say that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) decreases the secretion of GnRH through the regulation of neurotransmitters and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as well as through the transduction of dopamine. Additionally, THC inhibits folliculogenesis (the maturation of ovarian follicle) as well as ovulation. Dr. Hauck also explains that during ovulation, the “body releases a surge of endocannabinoid in the ovary; excess cannabinoids from cannabis consumption can disrupt the ovulatory surge and lead to an irregular cycle”. In terms of men, THC may decrease sperm count, reduce serum testosterone as well as reduce sperm motility.
Dr. Hauck concluded by stating that “chronic cannabis consumption can have effects on the adrenal, thyroid and reproductive systems that can potentially affect energy, behavior, and reproductive health”. However, there is a silver lining.
Chronic cannabis consumers may be able to increase the probability of successful conception by ceasing their heavy use of cannabis so that the body may restore normal function. This is due to the fact that the effects of cannabis on the body can be restored when ceasing consumption– thus mitigating these effects. Dr. Hauck also suggests that those who wish to conceive get periodical tests of adrenal hormones, sex hormones, and thyroid hormones in order to ensure that the body is in optimal condition for conception.
Dr. Mumford and team noted that they studied a small group of women which may not be an accurate representation in the grander scheme of the situation and that women should exercise caution until more “more definitive evidence is available”. Additionally, the majority of the studies support the hypothesis established by Dr. Mumford and team, despite one which did not. Just as most fertility doctors recommend that couples reduce the use of alcohol and tobacco, it’s reasonable to state that women and men who are trying to conceive should do the same for chronic cannabis consumption. Individuals who wish to become parents can also consult physicians to make a plan in order to improve the chances of conception.
Looking to find your medical cannabis in a state that hasn’t yet legalized it? It may be tempting to drive across neighboring state lines with more cannabis-friendly laws. However, the number of states that will authorize qualified patients from out-of-state medical marijuana programs is still relatively small. Which States Accept Out-of-State MMJ Cards? States That…
Bipolar disorder is a complex condition that impacts millions worldwide, leading to extreme mood swings, intense emotional episodes, and difficulty managing day-to-day life. But there may be some good news for those coping with this mental health issue. According to recent research, cannabis could offer unique benefits as part of an approach to managing bipolar…
The war on drugs facilitated by the federal government has been an utter failure. Despite cannabis remaining a Schedule I classification according to the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), meaning that it has no medicinal value, over 30 states in the United States have legalized it for its medicinal use. While this classification will remain…
Three different types of cannabidiol (CBD) oils produced by Charlotte’s Web have been banned by British regulators. The British Food Standards Agency (FSA) has also disqualified approximately 100 CBD products for undisclosed reasons. In 2018, legislation was passed by the British Parliament that effectively legalized cannabinoids like CBD and CBDA. Despite the law’s passing, CBD…
As cannabis enthusiasts, we’re all too familiar with the stigma surrounding its use and the hoops that have to be jumped through to get it into medical research trials. But recent news of the DEA’s approval of a cocaine derivative for Parkinson’s disease research has left us scratching our heads. In light of this, one…
We sat down with the team at TerraLeaf, a medical cannabis dispensary servicing West Virginia, to ask them the Veriheal 5—five questions…
We all know that cannabis and prednisone can affect our bodies differently when used separately. But if you’re dealing with a pretty…
A randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial of cannabis recently published by Research Gate explored whether or not cannabidiol (CBD)—the primary non-intoxicating constituent of cannabis…