Most women with IBD were unsure about cannabis risks during pregnancy and rarely discussed it with doctors | Research

The takeaway

Among 102 women of reproductive age with IBD, nearly 19% used cannabis, but over half were unsure about pregnancy-related risks and only 15% had ever discussed cannabis with their healthcare provider.

Gastroenterologists, obstetricians, and healthcare providers managing women of reproductive age with chronic conditions

52% unsure about cannabis pregnancy risks

What the researchers found

Among 102 women with IBD aged 18-45, 18.6% reported cannabis use. Cannabis users were more likely to report constant pain. Over half (52%) were unsure about specific risks of cannabis use during pregnancy, and only 14.7% had ever discussed cannabis with their healthcare provider.

Why it matters

Women with IBD often turn to cannabis for symptom relief, but the combination of uncertainty about pregnancy risks and low rates of provider discussion creates a dangerous information gap.

The numbers in context

102 women with IBD; 18.6% used cannabis; 52% unsure about pregnancy-specific risks; only 14.7% discussed cannabis with their provider; cannabis users more likely to report constant pain in past 12 months

How the study worked

Cross-sectional survey of women with IBD (ages 18-45) recruited at Mount Sinai Hospital and via Twitter. Anonymous surveys covered demographics, cannabis use, pregnancy risk perceptions, and healthcare provider discussions.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample size; convenience sampling via hospital and social media; self-reported data; cannot determine if cannabis use was for symptom management or recreational; cross-sectional design

How to read the evidence

Small cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling from a single hospital and social media.

When this study was published

2024 study

The bigger picture

As cannabis legalization expands, the disconnect between cannabis use by women with chronic conditions and provider discussions about pregnancy risks represents a growing clinical concern.

Questions still open

What prevents providers from initiating cannabis discussions with women of reproductive age? Would structured screening improve communication about cannabis and pregnancy risk?

Common questions

How many women with IBD used cannabis?

About 19% of the 102 women surveyed reported using cannabis. Those who used cannabis were more likely to report experiencing constant pain in the past 12 months, suggesting symptom management may drive use.

Why is the provider communication gap concerning?

Over half the women were unsure about the specific risks of cannabis during pregnancy, and only about 15% had ever discussed cannabis with their healthcare provider. Those who did discuss it were actually more likely to perceive cannabis as unsafe during pregnancy, suggesting these conversations are valuable but rarely happening.

Read the original research

Perceptions and Prevalence of Cannabis Use in Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, 7(2), 204-211

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Hossein-Javaheri, Nariman; O'Connor, Katie; Steinhart, Hillary; Deshpande, Amol; Maxwell, Cynthia; Huang, Vivian; Tandon, Parul. (2024). Perceptions and Prevalence of Cannabis Use in Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Study.. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, 7(2), 204-211. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcag/gwad049