Since the legalization of cannabis in 2018 in Canada, the use of cannabis for medical reasons has increased significantly. A new study aims to investigate how middle-aged women perceive and use cannabis to manage symptoms related to menopause. The study, published in the Menopause Journal, provides insights into these women’s unique challenges and solutions.
Background and purpose
Menopause, a natural biological process, involves significant hormonal changes that can cause a range of troublesome symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep problems and mood swings. Many women seek alternative methods to alleviate these symptoms, and cannabis has become an increasingly popular choice.
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of women who use cannabis medically to manage menopause symptoms. The study focused on women over the age of 35 in Alberta, Canada.
Method
The researchers used a qualitative description method and conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve women between December 2020 and April 2021. These interviews took place over the phone or virtual meeting, were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to interpret and analyze the data.
Result
The interviews revealed that menopause is a complex and often challenging experience for women. Most women in the study described cannabis as an effective therapeutic agent that helped them manage various menopausal symptoms. Key findings include:
- Symptom relief: Cannabis helped relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep problems, and anxiety.
- Lack of Information: The women experienced a lack of available information about both menopause and medical use of cannabis.
- Limited Healthcare Staff: There was a limited role for caregivers in their cannabis use, leading to an emphasis on self-education and self-management.
- Stigmatization: Many women felt stigmatized for both their menopausal symptoms and their cannabis use, which made them wary of sharing their experiences openly.
- Self-management: The women learned about cannabis through their own experiences and anecdotal stories from others. They used both medical and non-medical sources to access cannabis.
Conclusion
The study shows that middle-aged women use cannabis medically to manage menopausal symptoms and that this use is self-directed due to a lack of information and support from the healthcare system. This insight can contribute to future research and development of educational resources that support menopausal women.
By understanding how and why women use cannabis during menopause, healthcare providers can better meet their needs and reduce the stigma surrounding both menopause and medical cannabis use. The researchers hope that these findings can contribute to more comprehensive and accessible information as well as better support for women navigating this significant life transition.