We've been wanting to talk about CBD and CBD oil for a while because it's a subject that keeps popping up in The Chilled Menopause Facebook Group. 

It's hailed in the press for its therapeutic properties with suggestions that it can relieve some symptoms associated with the menopause without the need for HRT. But can we actually rely on it? In what way can it help us?

When we did an official poll on Facebook, our findings were that most of us would like to try CBD oil but need more advice. 114 people said they would like to have more information and guidance to find an oil that worked for them. 48 people said they had identified an oil that they liked and 22 people said that they had tried oils but hadn't found the right one for them yet.

To help you make up your mind, here is some background into the treatment followed with the top three oils that our Facebook group members recommended:

So what are CBD and CBD oil?
CBD naturally occurs in cannabis plants. The CBD oil is extracted from the hemp and it can come in many different forms and strengths, depending on how it is extracted and filtrated.

Although it is legal here in the UK, there are strict rules about how and where it can be sold. Cannabis-based medicine is available on prescription, but only to very few people. Licences for using CBD oil as a medicine have not been granted yet (although there are medicinal products in development) but retailers can sell it, as long as claims are not made about the medical benefits. Legally, it can contain a maximum THC content of 0.2% (THC is the psychoactive element of the cannabinoid that can lead to a ‘high’). However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a 2018 report that identifies CBD as well tolerated and non-addictive with a good safety profile, stating that it could potentially have a use in managing medical conditions.    

How can it help during the menopause?
During the menopause, the hormones in our bodies are all over the place – as oestrogen levels drop, this can have an effect on our whole body make-up that we have got used to over many years – from our reproductive system and other organs going through a state of flux, as well as other functions such as metabolism and brain chemistry, plus the fact that we’re prone to more inflammation. Each person’s experience of the menopause is unique, but there’s no denying that some symptoms are particularly common including aches and joint pain, anxiety, depression and mood swings, hot flushes and night sweats, insomnia, low libido and memory loss... to name but a few!

There is evidence that CBD can help neurotransmitters in the brain with the uptake of serotonin, which is why it could have an impact on anxiety, depression and insomnia, as well as hot flushes and night sweats that can be triggered by neurochemical and hormonal imbalances. It’s also anti-inflammatory and can also provide pain relief, which is why it can help with joint aches and pains. Some believe that it can also aid in maintaining a healthy metabolism, which is why it could help with weight issues. And using it as a topical lubricant has been know to help with vaginal discomfort and low libido.

What should I look for when buying it?
CBD is available in many different forms. Many oils are organic and GM-free. As well as taking it in a capsule, you can ingest it as an oil, using a dropper under the tongue, or as a mouth spray. The oil can also come as a body mist or a moisturising cream that can be sprayed onto or massaged into the body. The quality can greatly vary, so we would recommend always buying it from a reputable retailer.

What do our members like?

1) Simply CBD - the Green Simply CBD blend had numerous recommendations

2) Reverse Nature 900mg - our group members said Reverse Nature helped with niggles and made them happier

3) Cannica Water Soluble - Cannica are not the cheapest but our members reported help with joint pain and with night sweats.

Research into CBD is ongoing and given the limited resources available about it, it’s a good idea to do your own research if you think it might work for you. You should also speak to your healthcare practitioner or GP to make sure that it will not interact with any other treatments you might be taking.     

Have you tried CBD oil? Let us know your thoughts about it in the comments below or share something in The Chilled Menopause.