Author : Dr.Elmo Resende, Ph.D | Director of R&D - Piauhy Labs
Menopause is a natural transition in women’s life associated with body and hormone imbalances. Some of them can be uncomfortable experiences (such as hot flashes, insomnia, weight changes, mood swings or muscle pains), while other menopause symptoms can go unnoticed. Women are increasingly preferring complementary and alternative medicine to deal with menopause symptoms. Recent research suggests alternative treatments for menopause such as cannabinoids to reduce climacteric symptoms.
Menopause is a natural period in a woman's life characterized by the stopping of the ovaries and, consequently, the cessation of menstruation. Gradually, the ovaries start to decrease their production of estrogen and progesterone, causing menstrual cycles to manifest themselves irregularly, that is, menstrual cycles may not occur once a month or may even occur even more often, until it is completely absent, which is called the climacteric cycle.
One year after the absence of menstruation, menopause is considered to have occurred, which happens in an average age group between 45 and 55 years of age. During this period, some women may have different discomforts.
So that there is no confusion between the terms, it is good that we keep in mind that menopause is the name given to the last menstruation of a woman's life, while climacteric is the pre-and post-menopause period, in which the woman presents several symptoms, due to the progressive reduction in estrogen production.
Climacteric begins in the transition between the reproductive and non-reproductive phases of women, which can cover a broad period, from 40 to 60 years of age, and some authors even extend this age range. Therefore, it is not technically correct to say that a woman is in menopause, but the woman has had her menopause and is in the climacteric.
The main symptoms present in the climacteric phase, which can affect most women, include, but not necessarily, are such as:
- hot flashes,
- night sweats,
- sleep disturbances or insomnia,
- weight gain,
- joint pain,
- headaches,
- vaginal dryness,
- urinary tract infection,
- irregular menstruation,
- sudden mood changes changes of mood,
- reduced libido,
- poor memory, difficulty concentrating,
- dry skin,
- depression,
- anxiety,
- onset breast pain,
- heart palpitations,
- the feeling of a bloated belly.
Additionally, women can experience general discomfort such as tiredness or an imbalance and occasional dizziness, as well as facial hair appearance, weak nails, hair loss, or bones can become less dense – which means possible weakening of the bones. All these menstrual symptoms are a completely natural response of women’s body and hormone changes during climacteric phase. Using an alternative medicine for menopause it may improve climacteric symptoms.
Hormones are substances responsible for integrating the activity of organic systems and subsystems.
They alter cell function in response to the variation of the external environment, induce the maintenance of cellular work and alter the level of activity of tissues and organs, maintaining keeping the constancy of composition of the internal environment.
Female sex steroid hormones primarily include estrogens and progesterone. They are synthesized from cholesterol in various endocrine tissues, bind to carrier proteins and are carried by the bloodstream to their target cells.
They affect sexual development and behavior and a variety of other reproductive and non-reproductive functions, through action on nuclear receptors modifying the expression of specific genes.
There are several possible treatments to reduce the discomforts present in the climacteric symptoms. Postmenopausal hormone therapy is a complex intervention that produces some positive results and some detrimental health effects. Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is widely used to treat the symptoms of climacteric women, its use is controversial.
Of greatest concern are the adverse effects associated with the use of exogenous estrogen and progesterone hormones. Because of the risks associated with HRT, many women choose to seek alternative therapies.
Despite HRT is widely used in several countries, and being considered a good option in terms of treating vasomotor symptoms, its use to prevent for the prevention of chronic disease in women over 60 years of age is not recommended.
Treatment options for climacteric symptoms include hormone replacement therapy, antidepressant medications, herbs, herbal compounds, and other alternative therapies.
Some vitamins, minerals and herbal medicines, such as calcium, omega 3 and vitamins D and E, can help prevent diseases whose risk increases during the climacteric phase, such as osteoporosis and diabetes, for example, as well as helping to alleviate the characteristic symptoms this phase of menopause – such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and accumulation of fat in the belly.
The intake of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to maintain our body's cellular function properly. As cell metabolism is affected during the climacteric, supplements are used as a way to complement the diet and increase the intake of essential nutrients that may be in low amounts in the body.
B-complex vitamins bring many benefits to our health. In the climacteric phase, they are essential for the correct functioning of the woman's body. Vitamins B6 and B12 play a significantly more important role.
Zinc is an important source of antioxidants, protecting the body from the harmful actions of free radicals and preventing premature aging.
These substances can be obtained through food or supplementation, which should only be done after the indication of the doctor or nutritionist.
The vitamins and minerals that seem to have the most relevance for reducing climacteric symptoms are:
-Vitamin E, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties;
-Calcium, which helps to reduce the risk of osteoporosis;
-Vitamin D, which helps to absorb calcium;
-Polyphenols, which are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances that also help prevent the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as prevent premature aging;
-Phytoestrogens, which help alleviate most of the climacteric symptoms, as these substances can mimic the effects of estrogens in the woman's body;
-Omega 3, which helps to prevent cardiovascular disease, and which also helps to prevent cancer of the breast and depression, whose risk increases during climacteric.
The most important and valuable sources of calcium are milk and dairy products. But women with lactose intolerance often restrict their consumption of these foods, making their diet deficient in calcium. In case of restricted consumption of dairy products, alternative sources of calcium are recommended, such as processed foods based on soy, whey and products containing casein hydrolysates.
Not only is calcium important for bone tissue. Bone tissue metabolism also requires a diet with an adequate supply of vitamins, including vitamins A, C, and K. In addition, women who meet the recommended magnesium intake have been given a lower risk of fractures. Probiotics have also been shown to promote favorable effects on bone metabolism, constituting an alternative approach to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis.
Hormonal changes that occur during the climacteric can accelerate the skin's aging process. Therefore, it is important to reinforce care and use nutritious and firming products. With the gradual fall of estrogen and progesterone hormones, the skin becomes drier, there is a loss of elastic and collagen fibers. This leads to increased flaccidity, loss of elasticity and tone. As a result of all this, the skin is thin, fragile and flaccid, with a greater propensity for wrinkles.
A healthy diet, rich in fiber, vitamins and omega 3, added to water intake, helps restore skin tone. It can also be combined with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and some minerals such as selenium, zinc, copper and magnesium. The most effective substance to minimize the effects of photoaging is retinol or acidic vitamin A or retinaldehyde, which must be adapted in terms of concentration and presentation for each type of skin.
Phytocannabinoids are those natural compounds found in cannabis plants – commonly known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
An alternative treatment to improve menopausal symptoms, as mentioned before, Another treatment option to improve the symptoms present in the climacteric is the use of phytocannabinoids.
This said, phytocannabinoids are effective in the treatment of various chronic pain conditions with great promise as a therapeutic adjuvant in the treatment of peripheral and central neuropathic pain and inflammation-mediated chronic pain.
Cannabis sativa has its use considered to be widely beneficial for the treatment of joint/muscle discomfort, irritability, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, hot flashes, among other symptoms.
Studies show that the use of cannabinoids, associated with terpenes, in patients with insomnia, who do not get good results with modern traditional medicine, is extremely effective.
Cannabinoids have properties to induce sleep, relieve pain, increase appetite and can be used as substitutes for sleeping pills and antidepressants.
Dr. Resende
The correct combination of cannabinoids can produce effects such as reducing the time taken to fall asleep. It also results in deep sleep, shifts the brain wave pattern into negative mode, relaxes and improves mood, and improves neurotransmitter function. Cannabinoids have been shown to be particularly effective in treating insomnia caused by pain or tension or age-related hormonal disturbances.
In a way, the fluctuation of hormones experienced throughout a woman's life is a natural process. That said, changes in hormones can undoubtedly be uncomfortable and even unbearable.
Learn more about Cannabis Sativa Benefits in our article.
Adolescents and adult women are probably well aware of the side effects experienced and experienced throughout their menstrual cycles. Side effects of PMS and menstruation may include bloating, cramping, mood swings, migraines, nausea. Fortunately, with its pain-relieving, mood-stabilizing and nausea-reducing properties, many of these symptoms can be alleviated with the use of Cannabis products.
In addition to the symptoms of PMS, climacteric often come with its own side effects, as described above. Again, Cannabis may be helpful in controlling these symptoms due to its mood stabilizing and analgesic properties. Since cannabis is involved in regulating the body's visceral functions, such as thermoregulation, research suggests that THC can lower body temperature - a boon for those with hot flashes.
Another study found that routine cannabis use was similarly associated with improvements in female sexual satisfaction based on all measures, including levels of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain.
It is speculated that the reason for these improvements may be in part due to Cannabis' ability to decrease anxiety, reduce pain and heighten senses.
The company Piauhy Labs intends to create patents and originate intellectual property, with the ultimate objective of producing medicines based on the cannabis plant. Piauhy Labs Team will also produce medications with the purpose of alleviating the unpleasant effects present during climacteric period. These drugs will be produced with the objective of supplying the mineral and vitamin nutrients necessary for female comfort, they will also be added with cannabinoids and other compounds from the Cannabis plant, which have the beneficial effects presented in this text.
References
Bromberger, J. T.; Kravitz, H. M.; Chang, Y. F. et al. Major depression during and after the menopausal transition: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Psychol. Med.,Oct;41(10):2238, 2011.
Burger, H.; Woods, N. F.; Dennerstein, L.; Alexander, J. L., Kotz, K. and Richardson, G. Nomenclature and endocrinology of menopause and perimenopause. Expert Rev. Neurother., Nov; 7 (11 Suppl): S35-4, 2007.
Colditz, G. A. Estrogen, estrogen plus progestin therapy, and risk of breast cancer. Clin. Cancer. Res., 11(2 Pt 2):909s–17s, 2005.
Corsi, D. J.; Murphy, M. S. Q. and Cook, J. Cannabis and Cannabinoid. Research. Aug. 275-287, 2021.
Ethan Russo, E. Cannabis Treatments in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Historical Review. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 2:3-4, 5-35, 2002.
Fine, P. G. and Rosenfeld, M. J. The Endocannabinoid System, Cannabinoids, and Pain. Rambam Maimonides Med J. Oct; 4(4), 2013.
Greendale, G. A., Lee, N. P. and Arriola, E. R. The menopause. Lancet, 353(9152):571–80, 1999.
Kalluf, L. Fitoterapia Funcional: dos princípios ativos à prescrição de fitoterápicos. 2ª edição. São Paulo: Ação. Set, 346, 2015.
North American Menopause Society. Estrogen and progestogen use in postmenopausal women: 2010 position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause, March;17(2):242-55, 2010.
Persson, I. Estrogens in the causation of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers - evidence and hypotheses from epidemiological findings. J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol., 74(5):357–64, 2000.
Portaluppi, F.; Pansini, F.; Manfredini, R. and Mollica, G. Relative influence of menopausal status, age, and body mass index on blood pressure. Hypertension, 29:976 – 79, 1997.
Selgrade, J. F.; Harris, L. A. and Pasteur, R. D. A model for hormonal control of the menstrual cycle: Structural consistency but sensitivity with regard to data. J. Theor. Biol., 260(1):572-80, 2009.
Stork, S.; Van der Schouw, Y. T.; Grobbee, D. E. and Bots, M. L. Estrogen, inflammation and cardiovascular risk in women: a critical appraisal. Trends Endocrinol. Metab., 15(2):66–72, 2004.
Talbott, S. M. Suplementos Dietéticos: Guia para Profissionais de Saúde. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan, 365, 2013.
Wenger, T. and Moldrich, G. The role of endocannabinoids in the hypothalamic regulation of visceral function. Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids, 66, 2-3:301-7, 2002.
Whiting, P. F. et al. Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA 313, 24:2456-73, 2015.
Author : Dr.Elmo Resende, Ph.D
Director of R&D
Piauhy Labs
Menopause is a natural transition in women’s life associated with body and hormone imbalances. Some of them can be uncomfortable experiences (such as hot flashes, insomnia, weight changes, mood swings or muscle pains), while other menopause symptoms can go unnoticed. Women are increasingly preferring complementary and alternative medicine to deal with menopause symptoms. Recent research suggests alternative treatments for menopause such as cannabinoids to reduce climacteric symptoms.
Menopause is a natural period in a woman's life characterized by the stopping of the ovaries and, consequently, the cessation of menstruation. Gradually, the ovaries start to decrease their production of estrogen and progesterone, causing menstrual cycles to manifest themselves irregularly, that is, menstrual cycles may not occur once a month or may even occur even more often, until it is completely absent, which is called the climacteric cycle.
One year after the absence of menstruation, menopause is considered to have occurred, which happens in an average age group between 45 and 55 years of age. During this period, some women may have different discomforts.
So that there is no confusion between the terms, it is good that we keep in mind that menopause is the name given to the last menstruation of a woman's life, while climacteric is the pre-and post-menopause period, in which the woman presents several symptoms, due to the progressive reduction in estrogen production.
Climacteric begins in the transition between the reproductive and non-reproductive phases of women, which can cover a broad period, from 40 to 60 years of age, and some authors even extend this age range. Therefore, it is not technically correct to say that a woman is in menopause, but the woman has had her menopause and is in the climacteric.
The main symptoms present in the climacteric phase, which can affect most women, include, but not necessarily, are such as:
- hot flashes,
- night sweats,
- sleep disturbances or insomnia,
- weight gain,
- joint pain,
- headaches,
- vaginal dryness,
- urinary tract infection,
- irregular menstruation,
- sudden mood changes changes of mood,
- reduced libido,
- poor memory, difficulty concentrating,
- dry skin,
- depression,
- anxiety,
- onset breast pain,
- heart palpitations,
- the feeling of a bloated belly.
Additionally, women can experience general discomfort such as tiredness or an imbalance and occasional dizziness, as well as facial hair appearance, weak nails, hair loss, or bones can become less dense – which means possible weakening of the bones. All these menstrual symptoms are a completely natural response of women’s body and hormone changes during climacteric phase. Using an alternative medicine for menopause it may improve climacteric symptoms.
Hormones are substances responsible for integrating the activity of organic systems and subsystems.
They alter cell function in response to the variation of the external environment, induce the maintenance of cellular work and alter the level of activity of tissues and organs, maintaining keeping the constancy of composition of the internal environment.
Female sex steroid hormones primarily include estrogens and progesterone. They are synthesized from cholesterol in various endocrine tissues, bind to carrier proteins and are carried by the bloodstream to their target cells.
They affect sexual development and behavior and a variety of other reproductive and non-reproductive functions, through action on nuclear receptors modifying the expression of specific genes.
There are several possible treatments to reduce the discomforts present in the climacteric symptoms. Postmenopausal hormone therapy is a complex intervention that produces some positive results and some detrimental health effects. Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is widely used to treat the symptoms of climacteric women, its use is controversial.
Of greatest concern are the adverse effects associated with the use of exogenous estrogen and progesterone hormones. Because of the risks associated with HRT, many women choose to seek alternative therapies.
Despite HRT is widely used in several countries, and being considered a good option in terms of treating vasomotor symptoms, its use to prevent for the prevention of chronic disease in women over 60 years of age is not recommended.
Treatment options for climacteric symptoms include hormone replacement therapy, antidepressant medications, herbs, herbal compounds, and other alternative therapies.
Some vitamins, minerals and herbal medicines, such as calcium, omega 3 and vitamins D and E, can help prevent diseases whose risk increases during the climacteric phase, such as osteoporosis and diabetes, for example, as well as helping to alleviate the characteristic symptoms this phase of menopause – such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and accumulation of fat in the belly.
The intake of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to maintain our body's cellular function properly. As cell metabolism is affected during the climacteric, supplements are used as a way to complement the diet and increase the intake of essential nutrients that may be in low amounts in the body.
B-complex vitamins bring many benefits to our health. In the climacteric phase, they are essential for the correct functioning of the woman's body. Vitamins B6 and B12 play a significantly more important role.
Zinc is an important source of antioxidants, protecting the body from the harmful actions of free radicals and preventing premature aging.
These substances can be obtained through food or supplementation, which should only be done after the indication of the doctor or nutritionist.
The most important and valuable sources of calcium are milk and dairy products. But women with lactose intolerance often restrict their consumption of these foods, making their diet deficient in calcium. In case of restricted consumption of dairy products, alternative sources of calcium are recommended, such as processed foods based on soy, whey and products containing casein hydrolysates.
Not only is calcium important for bone tissue. Bone tissue metabolism also requires a diet with an adequate supply of vitamins, including vitamins A, C, and K. In addition, women who meet the recommended magnesium intake have been given a lower risk of fractures. Probiotics have also been shown to promote favorable effects on bone metabolism, constituting an alternative approach to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis.
Hormonal changes that occur during the climacteric can accelerate the skin's aging process. Therefore, it is important to reinforce care and use nutritious and firming products. With the gradual fall of estrogen and progesterone hormones, the skin becomes drier, there is a loss of elastic and collagen fibers. This leads to increased flaccidity, loss of elasticity and tone. As a result of all this, the skin is thin, fragile and flaccid, with a greater propensity for wrinkles.
A healthy diet, rich in fiber, vitamins and omega 3, added to water intake, helps restore skin tone. It can also be combined with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and some minerals such as selenium, zinc, copper and magnesium. The most effective substance to minimize the effects of photoaging is retinol or acidic vitamin A or retinaldehyde, which must be adapted in terms of concentration and presentation for each type of skin.
Phytocannabinoids are those natural compounds found in cannabis plants – commonly known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
An alternative treatment to improve menopausal symptoms, as mentioned before, Another treatment option to improve the symptoms present in the climacteric is the use of phytocannabinoids.
This said, phytocannabinoids are effective in the treatment of various chronic pain conditions with great promise as a therapeutic adjuvant in the treatment of peripheral and central neuropathic pain and inflammation-mediated chronic pain.
Cannabis sativa has its use considered to be widely beneficial for the treatment of joint/muscle discomfort, irritability, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, hot flashes, among other symptoms.
Studies show that the use of cannabinoids, associated with terpenes, in patients with insomnia, who do not get good results with modern traditional medicine, is extremely effective.
Cannabinoids have properties to induce sleep, relieve pain, increase appetite and can be used as substitutes for sleeping pills and antidepressants.
Dr. Resende
The correct combination of cannabinoids can produce effects such as reducing the time taken to fall asleep. It also results in deep sleep, shifts the brain wave pattern into negative mode, relaxes and improves mood, and improves neurotransmitter function. Cannabinoids have been shown to be particularly effective in treating insomnia caused by pain or tension or age-related hormonal disturbances.
In a way, the fluctuation of hormones experienced throughout a woman's life is a natural process. That said, changes in hormones can undoubtedly be uncomfortable and even unbearable.
Learn more about Cannabis Sativa Benefits in our article.
Adolescents and adult women are probably well aware of the side effects experienced and experienced throughout their menstrual cycles. Side effects of PMS and menstruation may include bloating, cramping, mood swings, migraines, nausea. Fortunately, with its pain-relieving, mood-stabilizing and nausea-reducing properties, many of these symptoms can be alleviated with the use of Cannabis products.
In addition to the symptoms of PMS, climacteric often come with its own side effects, as described above. Again, Cannabis may be helpful in controlling these symptoms due to its mood stabilizing and analgesic properties. Since cannabis is involved in regulating the body's visceral functions, such as thermoregulation, research suggests that THC can lower body temperature - a boon for those with hot flashes.
Another study found that routine cannabis use was similarly associated with improvements in female sexual satisfaction based on all measures, including levels of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain.
It is speculated that the reason for these improvements may be in part due to Cannabis' ability to decrease anxiety, reduce pain and heighten senses.
The company Piauhy Labs intends to create patents and originate intellectual property, with the ultimate objective of producing medicines based on the cannabis plant. Piauhy Labs Team will also produce medications with the purpose of alleviating the unpleasant effects present during climacteric period. These drugs will be produced with the objective of supplying the mineral and vitamin nutrients necessary for female comfort, they will also be added with cannabinoids and other compounds from the Cannabis plant, which have the beneficial effects presented in this text.
References
Bromberger, J. T.; Kravitz, H. M.; Chang, Y. F. et al. Major depression during and after the menopausal transition: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Psychol. Med.,Oct;41(10):2238, 2011.
Burger, H.; Woods, N. F.; Dennerstein, L.; Alexander, J. L., Kotz, K. and Richardson, G. Nomenclature and endocrinology of menopause and perimenopause. Expert Rev. Neurother., Nov; 7 (11 Suppl): S35-4, 2007.
Colditz, G. A. Estrogen, estrogen plus progestin therapy, and risk of breast cancer. Clin. Cancer. Res., 11(2 Pt 2):909s–17s, 2005.
Corsi, D. J.; Murphy, M. S. Q. and Cook, J. Cannabis and Cannabinoid. Research. Aug. 275-287, 2021.
Ethan Russo, E. Cannabis Treatments in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Historical Review. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 2:3-4, 5-35, 2002.
Fine, P. G. and Rosenfeld, M. J. The Endocannabinoid System, Cannabinoids, and Pain. Rambam Maimonides Med J. Oct; 4(4), 2013.
Greendale, G. A., Lee, N. P. and Arriola, E. R. The menopause. Lancet, 353(9152):571–80, 1999.
Kalluf, L. Fitoterapia Funcional: dos princípios ativos à prescrição de fitoterápicos. 2ª edição. São Paulo: Ação. Set, 346, 2015.
North American Menopause Society. Estrogen and progestogen use in postmenopausal women: 2010 position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause, March;17(2):242-55, 2010.
Persson, I. Estrogens in the causation of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers - evidence and hypotheses from epidemiological findings. J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol., 74(5):357–64, 2000.
Portaluppi, F.; Pansini, F.; Manfredini, R. and Mollica, G. Relative influence of menopausal status, age, and body mass index on blood pressure. Hypertension, 29:976 – 79, 1997.
Selgrade, J. F.; Harris, L. A. and Pasteur, R. D. A model for hormonal control of the menstrual cycle: Structural consistency but sensitivity with regard to data. J. Theor. Biol., 260(1):572-80, 2009.
Stork, S.; Van der Schouw, Y. T.; Grobbee, D. E. and Bots, M. L. Estrogen, inflammation and cardiovascular risk in women: a critical appraisal. Trends Endocrinol. Metab., 15(2):66–72, 2004.
Talbott, S. M. Suplementos Dietéticos: Guia para Profissionais de Saúde. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan, 365, 2013.
Wenger, T. and Moldrich, G. The role of endocannabinoids in the hypothalamic regulation of visceral function. Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids, 66, 2-3:301-7, 2002.
Whiting, P. F. et al. Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA 313, 24:2456-73, 2015.