There are few things worse than an extremely painful period every month, but the exciting new development of CBD suppositories may make period discomfort a thing of the past. Find out what exactly a CBD suppository is, how it can help manage period pain, and why it’s a game-changer when it comes to closing the gender pain gap.
Different Menstruators Get and Deal With Different Period Pain Levels
Every menstruator experiences their monthly cycle differently, ranging from extremely painful periods to mild discomfort in the lower abdomen. Naturally, this calls for period relief products that can cater to different levels of pain.
How to get relief from period pain is something that many menstruators struggle with. Before looking at how a vaginal CBD suppository may be the answer to period discomfort, let’s see why exactly period pain occurs in the first place.
Ever Wonder, How and Why Does Menstruation Hurt?
If you’ve wondered what causes the period pain that disrupts your routine every month, you’re not alone. Up to 50% of menstruators experience period pain due to cramps. Although the gender pain gap means not enough research has been done to understand the intricacies of ovarian pain or period discomfort, there is a basic understanding of what causes menstrual cramps (also known as dysmenorrhea).
Once during each menstrual cycle, compounds called prostaglandins are released from your uterine lining, which promotes contraction of the uterus so that the endometrium can be removed and flow out from your body. It is thought that an excess of prostaglandins causes the uterus to contract more than necessary, which reduces blood flow to the uterus and causes period pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen (Dawood, 2006). You are more likely to suffer from an extremely painful period if you have a heavy or long duration of flow (Latthe et al., 2006).
Now that you know the physical basis for period pain, you may wonder what kind of period relief products are available.
Options Available on the Market to Get Relief from Period Pain
When it comes to how to get relief from period pain, there are several unsatisfactory and even unsafe period relief products available.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
If you suffer from period pain, you’ve likely reached for over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen or Aleve to help you reduce the discomfort in your lower abdomen. While these can provide temporary relief from period pain, they also pose serious health risks, especially when you use them regularly. Prolonged use of NSAIDs is associated with damage to the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys (Soll et al., 1989).
- Hormonal contraceptives
Better known as birth control, many menstruators with period discomfort turn to the pill or a hormonal IUD to help relieve the menstrual cramps that cause period pain. These work by using synthetic hormones to either stop ovulation or prevent the growth and shedding of the endometrium, which in turn stops the prostaglandins that are thought to cause cramps from being released.
- Application of heat
A hot water bottle or a heating pad can be a comforting companion during your time of the month. Although this may seem like a safe alternative to ingesting drugs or hormones, repeated exposure to moderate heat can lead to toasted skin syndrome (Haleem et al, 2021).
Unfortunately, the gender pain gap creates silence and taboos around open discussion of period pain and therefore prevents the development of more effective solutions for period discomfort. Luckily, recent menstruator-centric research has led to harnessing cannabis for the management of extremely painful periods.
Read more: Does Sex Make Your Period Come Early and Understanding The Menstrual Cycle Chart
CBD Has Been in the Spotlight for a While Now for Pain Management – Does CBD Help With Period Cramps and Pain?
The use of cannabidiol (CBD) for medicinal purposes has grown significantly since widespread legalization. It has been especially celebrated for its utility in managing chronic pain. But you may be wondering what exactly is cannabis, and does CBD help with period cramps?
CBD is a naturally occurring compound isolated from the cannabis plant that has been shown in several clinical studies to have powerful pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties (Russo, 2008).
How CBD Works to Ease Discomfort
Studies on CBD have revealed promising results to support the use of CBD for period cramps. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD are similar to those provided by NSAIDs but without the risks. CBD is thought to reduce discomfort by acting on specific receptors in the body and inhibiting the release of certain neurotransmitters, among other mechanisms (Vuckovic et al., 2018). This reduces the number of pain signals sent to the brain and may also boost the body’s pain-relief biochemicals.
Before you start searching for the best CBD oil for period cramps, you should know about a more innovative form of CBD for menstrual periods.
AIMA Has Been Dedicated to Finding a Solution for Period Discomfort: Introducing OVY – a Vaginal CBD Suppository
AIMA has been working hard to close the gender pain gap by researching effective, safe, and affordable solutions for period pain. OVY is a vaginal CBD suppository, meaning that it is inserted inside the vagina to relieve period discomfort.
This vaginal CBD suppository provides long-lasting relief and is designed by menstruators for menstruators. It has been confirmed safe and effective in pre-clinical and clinical studies and supports menstruators to continue their normal activities during their period.
How OVY Works
As a vaginal CBD suppository, OVY is inserted into the vagina where it is designed to dissolve and release the CBD into the bloodstream as well as to the receptors in the reproductive tract. Its ability to act locally at the very source of period discomfort is what makes this revolutionary period relief product so unique.
Best of all, in keeping with AIMA’s person-centric values, OVY dosages can be personalized based on your discomfort and response level. Learn more about AIMA and sign up for the waitlist to try this exciting period relief product!