Clinical Guideline: Cannabis Effects on Women's Fertility, Contraception, Menopause, and Pelvic Pain
A Canadian clinical guideline provided evidence-based recommendations on cannabis use across women's lifespans, covering fertility, contraception, menopause, and pelvic pain, using GRADE methodology.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The guideline addressed cannabis effects on hormonal regulation, reproductive health, sexual function, perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, and chronic pelvic pain. It emphasized trauma-informed care, non-stigmatizing approaches, and the need for evidence-based dialogue between providers and patients.
Key Numbers
Search covered 2018-2021. Used MeSH terms for cannabis combined with women's health terms (estrogen, contraception, fertilization, menopause, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, etc.). GRADE methodology applied for recommendations.
How They Did This
Clinical guideline developed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and grey literature (2018-2021). Evidence graded using GRADE approach. Covered fertility, contraception, menopause, and pelvic pain.
Why This Research Matters
Women of reproductive age are among the fastest-growing cannabis user groups, yet clinical guidance on women-specific health effects has been lacking. This guideline gives clinicians an evidence-based framework for conversations that many are currently having without guidance.
The Bigger Picture
This is one of the first major clinical guidelines specifically addressing cannabis across the spectrum of women's health concerns. It fills a critical gap as cannabis use during pregnancy, fertility treatment, and menopause becomes more common.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Canadian healthcare context may not generalize to all settings. The 2018-2021 search window may miss older foundational studies. Many recommendations are based on low-quality evidence given the limited research in women-specific cannabis effects.
Questions This Raises
- ?Will similar guidelines be developed in other countries?
- ?How should the guideline be updated as new evidence emerges?
- ?Would cannabis-specific screening tools for women's health settings improve care?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- First major guideline addressing cannabis across women's lifespan health stages
- Evidence Grade:
- Strong: formal clinical guideline from a national medical society using GRADE methodology and systematic literature search.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Guideline No. 425a: Cannabis Use Throughout Women's Lifespans - Part 1: Fertility, Contraception, Menopause, and Pelvic Pain.
- Published In:
- Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC, 44(4), 407-419.e4 (2022)
- Authors:
- Robert, Magali(3), Graves, Lisa E(2), Allen, Victoria M(2), Dama, Sumeet, Gabrys, Robert L, Tanguay, Robert L, Turner, Suzanne D, Green, Courtney R, Cook, Jocelynn L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04172
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis affect fertility?
The guideline reviewed evidence that cannabis may affect hormonal regulation and reproductive health. Specific recommendations were provided using GRADE methodology, though much of the underlying evidence was rated as low quality.
Should women tell their doctor about cannabis use?
Yes. The guideline emphasized that providers should ask about cannabis use in a non-stigmatizing, trauma-informed way. Open dialogue allows for better care decisions, especially regarding fertility, pregnancy planning, and symptom management.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04172APA
Robert, Magali; Graves, Lisa E; Allen, Victoria M; Dama, Sumeet; Gabrys, Robert L; Tanguay, Robert L; Turner, Suzanne D; Green, Courtney R; Cook, Jocelynn L. (2022). Guideline No. 425a: Cannabis Use Throughout Women's Lifespans - Part 1: Fertility, Contraception, Menopause, and Pelvic Pain.. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC, 44(4), 407-419.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2022.01.012
MLA
Robert, Magali, et al. "Guideline No. 425a: Cannabis Use Throughout Women's Lifespans - Part 1: Fertility, Contraception, Menopause, and Pelvic Pain.." Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2022.01.012
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Guideline No. 425a: Cannabis Use Throughout Women's Lifespan..." RTHC-04172. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/robert-2022-guideline-no-425a-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.