With the rising popularity of CBD oil, it’s no wonder that people are starting to ask whether or not they can CBD oil with HRT patches. One medication that people are curious about is HRT, or hormone replacement therapy.
HRT patches are usually used to treat the symptoms of menopause. Menopause is a naturally occurring event where a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs, and her body produces less estrogen. This can cause various symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and bone density loss.
Before taking a deeper look into what these symptoms are and how CBD could be used to treat them, let’s first investigate whether CBD and HRT patches can be used together.
Can I use CBD oil even if I’m on HRT?
CBD oil is often touted as a natural way to treat these symptoms of menopause. But can you take CBD oil if you are already using HRT patches?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. CBD oil can interact with many medications, including HRT patches. It’s always best to speak with your doctor before starting any new medicines, even natural ones like CBD oil.
That being said, CBD oil is generally considered safe. Side effects are rare and tend to be mild, such as fatigue or upset stomach. If you experience any side effects, stop taking CBD oil and speak with your doctor.
If you and your doctor decide that you can take CBD oil with HRT patches, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- First, start with a low CBD oil dose and increase gradually as needed.
- Second, take CBD oil when you aren’t taking your HRT patch, such as in the evening. This will help you to avoid any potential interactions between the two medications.
- Third, make sure to purchase CBD oil from a reputable source. Many companies sell CBD oil, but not all of them are created equal. Some companies use low-quality CBD or add other ingredients to their products that could interact with HRT patches.
- Fourth, track how you feel when taking CBD oil and HRT patches together. If you experience adverse side effects, stop taking CBD oil and speak with your doctor immediately.
CBD for the symptoms of menopause:
Now that we’ve answered the question of whether or not you can take CBD oil with HRT patches let’s investigate how CBD might be able to help with the symptoms of menopause.
To understand how CBD could help, it’s critical to understand the endocannabinoid system’s role. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a network of receptors and molecules found throughout the body. This system regulates many functions, including mood, sleep, appetite, and pain. CBD oil interacts with the ECS by binding to cannabinoid receptors.
As highlighted earlier, menopause can cause symptoms such as menopausal hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and bone density loss. Let’s look further into how CBD may help with each of these.
- Menopausal hot flashes:
In the National Library of Medicine, a study has been conducted regarding ‘Menopausal Symptoms and Their Management. The study found that hot flashes are the most common symptom during menopause. They defined a hot flash as “a sensation of warmth often accompanied by perspiration and sometimes by palpitations”. The study also determined that up to 85% of women had stated that they had encountered hot flashes during their menopause.
With that statistic in mind, there is no wonder that women are searching for a way to combat them.
CBD oil could be a potential solution for hot flashes. CBD binds to the CB1 receptors in the brain, which helps to regulate body temperature. In a study done on rats, it was found that CBD helped to decrease body temperature when they were put under stress.
This same concept could be applied to menopausal women, as stress often brings hot flashes.
- Night sweats:
Sleep is often disturbed during menopause due to fluctuating hormones. In a study referenced by the National Sleep Foundation, up to 80% of women experiencing perimenopause or menopause go through hot flashes or night sweats. Night sweats are often caused by changes in body temperature, which can be brought on by hot flashes, so these are intrinsically linked.
As we know, CBD oil can help to regulate body temperature. This makes it a potential solution for night sweats as well.
- Mood changes:
It’s not just the physical symptoms that are difficult to deal with during menopause. The mental symptoms can be just as hard, if not more challenging. In a study in the National Library of Medicine, it was found that women who were going through menopause were more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
This is likely due to the drastic hormonal changes that are taking place in their bodies. CBD oil has been shown to help with both depression and anxiety. In a study done on rats, it was found that CBD helped to decrease the symptoms of both depression and anxiety.
- Bone density loss:
Osteoporosis is a condition that can be caused by menopause. This is because estrogen helps keep bones strong, and when estrogen levels start to decline, so does bone density. In a study done by the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, it was found that CBD could help to improve bone density. This is because CBD helps to promote the growth of new bone cells.
What type of CBD is best for menopause symptoms?
There are several different types of CBD on the market, and it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Here are a few things to remember when choosing a CBD product for menopause symptoms.
- CBD oil for menopause
CBD oil is the most popular type of CBD and can be taken in several ways. You can take it sublingually (under the tongue) or add it to food or drinks. It is a good option for menopause symptoms because it is fast-acting and easy to dose.
However, remember that CBD oil can have a strong taste, so if you are not a fan of the taste, you may want to choose a different type of CBD. Also, CBD oil may not offer the same dose every time because it is harder to measure.
- CBD gummies for menopause
CBD gummies are an excellent option for menopause symptoms because they are easy to take, the dose is already measured, and they taste good.
They are also a good option if you don’t like the taste of CBD oil. On the other hand, CBD gummies can take a little longer to start working because they have to be digested first.
- CBD capsules for menopause
CBD capsules are a good option for menopause symptoms because they are easy to take and offer a consistent dose.
Capsules can take a bit longer to work than other forms of CBD, but they can be a good option for long-term use. Although, if you are dealing with menopause symptoms that come on suddenly, such as hot flashes, you may want to choose a different type of CBD.
Usage & Dosage – How and when to take CBD?
It is crucial to note that the effects of CBD can vary from person to person. Some people may find relief from their symptoms within a few minutes, while others may not feel any effects for several hours.
Individuals can react depending on factors such as age, weight, other medications they are taking, and underlying health conditions. Because of this, it is always best to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new medicines, including CBD.
The dosage of CBD will vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and your body chemistry. It is always best to start with a low dose and increase as needed. For example, if you are taking CBD oil, you may want to start with a lower concentration and then increase it as needed.
If you are taking CBD capsules, you may want to start with one capsule daily and increase as needed.
What kind of drug interactions can happen with CBD?
If you are taking any medications, it is always best to speak to your doctor before taking CBD. There have been studies by Harvard Medical School and the Penn State College of Medicine on the safety of CBD and other medications.
The investigation by Harvard researchers highlighted that CBD may compete or interfere with enzymes that are supposed to be broken down by the liver. This can lead to a changed concentration of the medication; as a consequence, the drugs may not work or have more significant side effects.
The study by the Penn State College of Medicine released a list of 57 medications that could be dangerous if mixed with CBD. However, this is not an exhaustive list, and it is always best to speak with your doctor if you are unsure.
Possible side-effects of CBD
CBD is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience side effects. The most common side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
- Drowsiness
- Changes in appetite
You should speak to your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.
Can CBD increase estrogen?
CBD has been shown to have mixed effects on estrogen levels. In some studies, it has been shown to have no impact on estrogen levels, while in others, it has been shown to decrease estrogen levels. It is unclear why this is the case, and more research is needed. If you are concerned about CBD affecting estrogen levels, you should speak to your doctor.