Women & Cannabis : Marijuana for Menstruation
For everyone with a uterus, there are usually at least four days each month spent battling cramps, mood swings, cravings, heightened sensitivity—and let’s not forget, bleeding the entire time. Despite this being a shared experience for nearly half the population, menstruation is still treated as taboo. Many people begin dealing with periods before they even make it to middle school, yet open conversations about how to find relief are still lacking.
Starbird is a proudly women-owned and locally owned dispensary, we’re often asked which cannabis products can help ease period symptoms. And while it would be easy to toss you a high-THC preroll and send you on your way, we’d rather equip you with meaningful information. Since both cannabis and the menstrual cycle are often misunderstood and under-researched, we believe in helping you understand which types of cannabis may actually support your body during your flow—not just dull the discomfort.
“Dancing Women Circle – Day to Praise 2016” by Gilad Kavalerchik, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
How Does Cannabis Help With Menstrual Relief?
Periods affect everyone differently. Some experience short flows with heavy bleeding, while others endure weeklong cramping, mood swings, headaches, and bloating. For many, it’s a combination of all of the above—sometimes all at once. And just when you think you’ve figured out your cycle, the symptoms can shift. Some women even have to manage life with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) with symptoms that are much more severe and interfere with daily life functions.That’s a lot to manage every month, and let’s be honest—Ibuprofen often just doesn’t cut it.
Ever wonder how cannabis actually helps with period pain? It all comes down to the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a network in the body that regulates pain, inflammation, mood, and hormone balance. When your period hits, hormonal shifts trigger inflammation and painful uterine contractions. That’s where cannabinoids like THC and CBD step in.
THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system, helping to block pain signals, relax muscles (including the uterus), and even lift your mood. CBD, on the other hand, works more subtly—reducing inflammation, easing nerve pain, and calming mood swings without the high. Together, they create a powerful, balancing effect that targets both physical and emotional symptoms of PMS and menstruation. “CBD’s pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties could contribute to treating specific menstrual discomforts such as low back pain and lower abdominal cramps. Cannabis and CBD have both been proven to relieve the same symptoms.” (Douglas, S. 2021)
So when you use cannabis for period relief, you’re not just masking symptoms—you’re working with your body’s own system to restore balance and reduce discomfort.
How Do I Use Cannabis for Menstrual Relief?
At our Salem dispensary, we value all the benefits of cannabis apart from that blissful, THC induced high. THC is wonderful, and the psychoactive effect can be very relieving for the stressed mind and body. It has the wonderful ability to not only reduce pain, but distract you from it. However, having balanced and cannabinoid rich products can be a lot more helpful than hitting a 90% vape. Smoking flower and hitting your vape can absolutely help with the pain, but we’d heavily recommend using edibles, tincture and topicals for optimized relief from cramps,muscle soreness and other symptoms of PMS.
Edibles break THC down differently in our bodies compared to smoking. When we eat gummies and chocolate and other infused treats, our bodies convert the THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound creates a longer lasting high with heavy physical effects. For those dealing with severe pains, edibles help provide relief without having to constantly dose again. You can eat a couple pieces of chocolate, wait for the effects to hit, and can have relief for up to 12 hours. We carry many products that have much more CBD than THC, which can give you extra ease without making you super high.
Tincture is a great option for people who want quick relief without having to inhale smoke or vapor. Tinctures normally contain more than just THC. At Starbird, we carry a large selection of RSO based tinctures that have significant concentrations of cannabinoids like CBD, CBC, and CBG. Ingesting a tincture that has a balanced ratio of THC and other cannabinoids can provide more relief than just puffing on a joint. Just a dropper under the tongue does the trick, so a single bottle should last well beyond your toughest days.
Relief Drops by Treeworks offer a thoughtfully crafted blend of cannabinoids designed for targeted pain relief. With a tasty strawberry flavor and a total of 3,100mg of cannabinoids—including 200mg THC, 900mg CBD, and high doses of CBG, CBC, CBN, and even a touch of CBT—this tincture delivers serious support in a small bottle.
The lower THC content provides a mellow, body-focused high without overwhelming the mind. Meanwhile, CBD, CBG, and CBC bring powerful anti-inflammatory effects that can help ease cramps, bloating, and mood swings. CBN adds sedative properties to support rest, while CBT may help promote alertness—creating a balanced, functional relief option for your cycle.
If Relief Drops sound a little too strong for your needs, we’ve got a few staff favorites that offer gentler options. Treeworks also makes the Purist Drops—a no-nonsense, unflavored 1:1 CBD to THC tincture that's perfect for those who want a balanced effect without any extras.
If you're looking to avoid most of the psychoactive effects altogether, we recommend Gentle Drops. Lightly flavored with Smooth Berry and lemon balm, this calming tincture contains 900mg of CBD and just 90mg of THC—ideal for daytime use, or for anyone who’s sensitive to THC but still wants the benefits of full-spectrum relief.
“Cannabis Tincture on Plate” by workwithsherpa, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the most underrated cannabis products on the market? Topicals. Because they don’t produce a psychoactive effect, many people overlook them—but our experienced budtenders swear by our selection of creams, massage oils, and salves for relieving muscle aches and cramps.
The stoner staff at Starbird love using THC-infused topicals during their cycle. A favorite ritual? Rubbing a small amount onto the lower belly to ease cramps. For deeper relief, apply a dime-sized amount directly to the most painful area and place a heating pad over it. You’ll thank us later.
We especially love the muscle salve by Sweetgrass Botanicals. Made with beeswax, St. John’s Wort, wintergreen, ginger oil, and Arnica, this formula pairs holistic herbs with cannabis for a double whammy of natural pain relief. It’s a discreet, great-smelling option that fits right in your purse—and you don’t have to ingest anything to feel the benefits.
If one method doesn’t do the trick, try pairing them together. While you’re waiting for an edible to kick in—which can take a while—rub a THC-infused salve onto your most tender spots. Topicals absorb quickly and start easing pain and inflammation without delay. Need an extra boost? Add a few drops of tincture under your tongue for fast-acting internal relief.
If you feel that smoking, vaping or dabbing is the best for your symptoms, go with your gut! Too often, women are taught to downplay their pain—to grit their teeth, tough it out, and keep moving like nothing’s happening. But let’s be clear: your discomfort is real, your body deserves care, and you are under no obligation to suffer in silence. Rest and nurture yourself unapologetically. That’s not weakness—it’s radical self-respect.
Elizabeth Childs, owner of Starbird Cannabis Dispensary.
Do Women Have Higher Cannabis Tolerance Than Men?
Not exactly. Studies have shown that estrogen levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. Estrogen peaks around ovulation and drops sharply during your actual period. Estrogen plays a big role in how sensitive the female body is to THC, because it helps regulate the CB1 receptor function (which is part of the endocannabinoid system). When estrogen is high, THC effects tend to feel stronger. When estrogen is low, like during your period, you may experience reduced sensitivity to cannabis. You may have even noticed that your normal joint or edible doesn’t have the same impact when you're menstruating. That is perfectly normal! This area still needs a lot of research, but stimulating important dialogue about it is pushing us in the right direction to discover more truths.
So, if you and your husband normally smoke the same amount but you find you aren’t as high, check in with your body. No, you aren’t going crazy. If you are in your luteal or menstrual days, this could be a reason why.
Frankly speaking, women do not naturally have a higher tolerance to THC. Some studies have shown that women often report stronger effects at first, but tolerance can build more quickly than in men. Women tend to be more sensitive to THC when they first try it, but their bodies quickly adapt and they will build a tolerance to THC faster. Again, the sensitivity to THC can fluctuate based on what part of the cycle they are in. These studies are also just making these breakthroughs, so we may have to wait for more concrete evidence to find the exact reasons. Those seeking menstrual relief may need to adjust doses more often or use breaks to reset tolerance.
Our trusted philosophy, start low and go slow, is especially important when experimenting during different phases of the menstrual cycle. However, if you are a seasoned stoner and are experiencing worse pains or stress than usual, don’t scorn yourself if you want to reach for another edible!
Many use a period tracker to bring more sense to their cycle, and log anything irregular. We’d heavily recommend making notes in a journal about products you’ve tried during a certain time in your cycle. You might be able to pick up on patterns, and treat yourself more effectively.
If you are curious to how cannabis functions in your body, try using it as a main source of pain relief before reaching for a drugstore pill option. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Advil or Ibuprofen, but you will be able to gauge the effects more efficiently when you use it by itself.
“Cannabis Tourists in a Vertical Grow Facility” by Cannabis Tours, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Have you ever noticed your tolerance is higher when you’re menstruating? Or suddenly, you are much more sensitive to the effects of THC? The female body is complex and misunderstood. Cyclical hormonal changes make every week a different experience, and it's easy to lose track of where you are.
Hormonal differences between male and female bodies can significantly influence how cannabinoids like THC and CBD are processed—but research in this area is still in its early stages. As we continue to explore how cannabis interacts with sex-specific biology, it’s vital to deepen our understanding. This research isn't just important for addressing menstrual pain—it’s essential for developing more effective, personalized relief for a wide range of conditions that impact people differently based on hormonal makeup.
Cannabis is a powerful and holistic tool that can support menstrual health, offering relief for cramps, inflammation, mood swings, and more. While it’s often associated with fun and relaxation, for many, it’s an essential part of their wellbeing toolkit. Whether used to ease discomfort, calm anxiety, or help with sleep, cannabis offers a natural alternative to traditional pain management. However, it’s important to explore it thoughtfully, paying attention to your body’s responses and being mindful of tolerance. Start slowly, experiment with different products, and find what works best for you — because when it comes to menstrual health, you deserve a solution that supports your body’s needs.
Fly High!
Sources
Cooper, Z. D., Craft, R. M., Druhan, J. P., & Johnson, J. (2016). Sex-dependent effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: A translational perspective. Neuropsychopharmacology, 41(1), 256–274.
Douglas, S. (2021). Is CBD a Viable Option for Menstrual Symptoms? Open Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 3(5).
Hoover, C. (2020). Cannabis as a treatment for primary dysmenorrhea (Master’s thesis, James Madison University). James Madison University Scholarly Commons.