Nearly a quarter of women with chronic pelvic pain use cannabis, and 96% of users report symptom improvement | Research

The takeaway

Among 113 women with chronic pelvic pain, 23% used cannabis, with 96% reporting improvement in pain, sleep, anxiety, and other symptoms, and over a third reducing their healthcare visits.

Women with chronic pelvic pain, gynecologists, pain management specialists

96% of cannabis-using pelvic pain patients reported symptom improvement

What the researchers found

23% of chronic pelvic pain patients used cannabis, with 72% using at least weekly. 96% of users reported symptom improvement including pain, cramping, muscle spasms, anxiety, depression, sleep, libido, and irritability. 35% reduced provider contact and 39% decreased clinical visits.

Why it matters

Chronic pelvic pain affects up to 15% of U.S. women and has limited treatment options. The endocannabinoid system has receptors throughout the uterus and reproductive tissues, providing a biological basis for cannabis as a treatment target.

The numbers in context

113 respondents; 23% used cannabis; 72% of users at least weekly; 96% reported improvement; 84% had side effects; 35% reduced provider calls; 39% fewer clinical visits

How the study worked

Cross-sectional anonymous electronic survey of 113 women with pelvic/perineal pain, dyspareunia, or endometriosis at an outpatient gynecology office (March-August 2019).

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample, single outpatient office, 47% response rate, self-reported outcomes without objective measures, selection bias possible, 84% reported side effects.

How to read the evidence

Small cross-sectional survey from a single gynecology office with self-reported outcomes

When this study was published

Published in 2021. Research on cannabinoids for pelvic and reproductive pain is in early stages.

The bigger picture

The high rate of self-reported improvement among pelvic pain patients adds to evidence from endometriosis studies suggesting cannabis may be particularly relevant for reproductive and pelvic pain conditions.

Questions still open

Would a controlled trial confirm these self-reported benefits? What cannabinoid formulations are most effective for pelvic pain? Are there specific pelvic pain conditions (endometriosis vs vulvodynia) where cannabis is more effective?

Common questions

Can cannabis help with chronic pelvic pain?

In this survey, 96% of women with chronic pelvic pain who used cannabis reported symptom improvement. However, this was self-reported without a control group, so results should be interpreted cautiously.

Why might cannabis work for pelvic pain?

Cannabinoid receptors are highly expressed in the uterus and other pelvic tissues, providing a biological basis. The endocannabinoid system is a potential therapeutic target for conditions like endometriosis and other forms of pelvic pain.

Read the original research

Use of Cannabis for Self-Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain.

Journal of women's health (2002), 30(9), 1344-1351

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Carrubba, Aakriti R; Ebbert, Jon O; Spaulding, Aaron C; DeStephano, David; DeStephano, Christopher C. (2021). Use of Cannabis for Self-Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain.. Journal of women's health (2002), 30(9), 1344-1351. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8737