Weed and Menstruation: Strains for Pain, Mood & Headaches

As women, not only are we the fairer sex, but we are also the ones who put up with monthly menstrual issues. Whether you suffer from painful cramps, excessive moodiness, or headaches – there is likely a cannabis strain to help you make it through your monthly woes.

With more states legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use, cannabis consumption is becoming more commonplace for women to combat their menstrual symptoms. While not all women experience severe discomfort during their periods, many do – and cannabis can alleviate unpleasant symptoms associated with menstrual cramps.

Does Weed Help Period Cramps? 

Cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, so it’s no surprise that it is difficult to perform scientific studies on weed and periods. Menstrual cramps are caused by prostaglandins, which are inflammatory compounds that are released during menstruation. To help with these symptoms, some take ibuprofen, which helps to stop the production of these compounds and reduce inflammation.

On the other hand, weed is also believed to have pain-relieving effects, including reducing inflammation. This is due to how it affects the endocannabinoid systems. But this means that it’s possible that the way weed relieves pain does not affect the cause of pain from menstrual cramps. Still, because there is little scientific information out there, the relationship between weed and period cramps is unclear.

Does Smoking Weed Affect Your Period?

There can still be some pain relief involved with smoking weed during your period. Since weed is believed to have a euphoric effect, it may help to offer a distraction from pain. One medical study from 2018 found that the THC in marijuana may shorten the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. This is the second part of the menstrual cycle beginning around the 15th day of a 28-day cycle and involves thickening the uterine lining. The study claims that participants who used marijuana and tobacco had a luteal phase that was 5.4 days shorter, indicating that it’s possible that smoking during your period can shorten the phase of your cycle when some inflammation occurs. 

What Kind Of Weed Helps With Period Cramps?

As an avid smoker, medical marijuana patient, and cannabis evangelist, I am constantly trying out different strains to see how they help my pain. The best way for you to find weed strains for period cramps that work for you is to try different ones. In my experience with weed and periods, I’ve come across a few cannabis strains that I've found to be helpful to me. Here are some strains you can start with to see how they affect you. 

Best Weed Strains for Period Cramps & Pain Relief

• Orange Herijuana - The best strain that I have found for pain relief without feeling too high is Orange Herijuana. High in CBD and very low in THC, Orange Herijuana is an Indica-dominant hybrid that offers relaxation and pain relief without noticeable psychoactive effects. Orange Herijuana is perfect for dealing with cramps and the overall body aches that can come with PMS and menstruation. 
• Harlequin - Harlequin is a sativa dominant strain by 75%. Its high ratio of CBD to THC, which is around 5:2, means it may make its high feel healing on your body more than psychoactive.
• Jack Herer - Sometimes called “JH” or “Platinum Jack” this strain is a more balanced hybrid that is touted as having an energetic and blissful effect 
• Pink Kush - Is recognized as a hybrid Indica-dominant strain with a deeply calming effect which can be helpful if looking for a more peaceful experience. 

Best PMS Mood-Boosting Strains

Pain isn't the only thing my period that weed helps me to manage. While it's true that I’m usually smoking weed on my period to help with pain, other times I find that it can also help me improve my mood and feel better mentally. Here are some strains that help me feel better and more uplifted when I feel overwhelmed or down during my period.

• Sour Diesel - If you get crabby or your fuse gets short when Aunt Flo comes to town, try Sour Diesel. A delicious Sativa strain, Sour D is uplifting and gets you off your couch to start your day on a high note. 
• Super Lemon Haze - This Sativa-dominant hybrid and two-time Cannabis Cup winner has  great flavor and is a go-to strain when I want to feel more energetic during my period
• Durban Poison - Durban Poison is a landrace strain and a pure Sativa strain. Its balance of terpenes and THC helps me feel more uplifted and energetic. 
• Blue Dream - is a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain known to have a more balanced high due to its low CBD content which helps me feel more centered. 

Best Marijuana Strain for Headaches

As women get older, our hormones change, and sometimes that change comes with headaches around our time of the month. Speaking from experience, hormone headaches, and migraines can be debilitating. However, I have found that using cannabis helps alleviate some of the pain from activities like getting a tattoo, as well as the nausea and excessive light sensitivity from these monthly miseries.

• OG Kush - OG Kush is the best strain that I have found for my headaches. OG Kush is a nearly perfect 50/50 hybrid strain that usually leans a bit to the Sativa side but brings a couch-lock sensation typically found in Indica strains. OG Kush provides the relaxation and pain relief necessary to make it through hormonal (and non-hormonal) headaches.
• ACDC - Compared to other strains, ACDC has very high levels of CBD which is said to have well-being effects on the body. This helps me feel more relief when I'm having pounding period headaches.
• Purple Kush - A classic Indica strain, Purple Kush is known for its powerful relaxing effects, which are great for when a headache is getting the best of me during my period. 

Does Weed Help Period Pain?

When it comes to weed and periods, the bottom line is that the lack of scientific research makes it difficult to know how cannabis affects periods and the pain associated with the menstruation cycle.  But still, believe that smoking weed during your period can help with the pain.

In 2015, a survey conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia asked 192 women if they used weed for menstrual pain. The researchers found that 76.5% of those women said that weed was effective at relieving pain.  While it’s hard to tell if this may be a placebo effect, some people do smoke weed to help with periods and pain.

Will Edibles Help With Period Cramps?

You may be thinking that all of this only applies when smoking weed on your period and that maybe edibles would have a different effect. The thing is, no matter how you choose to consume cannabis, the main compound in weed is still THC.  And with a lack of research, it would be difficult to determine the best edibles for menstrual cramps. While “Period Cramp Gummies” and edible “CBD period products” haven’t been invented yet, you can still choose to consume edibles to help you with pain if you feel that it works for you. 

If you are experiencing yucky side effects from your period, give these weed strains a try. As with everything cannabis-related, each marijuana strain affects individuals differently. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa.

Starting with tried and true strains can help you skip your self-experimentation, but isn’t trying different strains half the fun of marijuana? Hit me up on social media, or visit our locations, including our dispensary near Villa Park, and let’s spark up a conversation!