Most People Using Cannabis for Endometriosis Access It Illegally Despite Medical Options
In a survey of 889 people using cannabis for endometriosis across 10+ countries, 57% used illicit cannabis, 99% planned to continue use, and over 30% hid their use from doctors.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Illicit cannabis (56.7%) was the most common access pathway. 99% would continue use, 90% would recommend it. Primary motivations: inadequate pain control (68.6%) and medication side effects (56.3%). Those using illicit cannabis were significantly less likely to disclose use to healthcare providers (p < 0.0001). Over 30% did not tell their doctor about cannabis use.
Key Numbers
889 respondents across 10+ countries. 56.7% used illicit cannabis. 99% would continue. 90% would recommend it. 68.6% motivated by inadequate pain control. 56.3% by medication side effects. 43.9% concerned about pharmaceutical dependence. >30% did not disclose to their doctor.
How They Did This
International cross-sectional online survey distributed by endometriosis organizations. 889 respondents from 10+ countries. Assessed motivations for cannabis use, concerns, access pathways, and healthcare communication.
Why This Research Matters
Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of women of reproductive age, and many find conventional treatments inadequate. This large international survey reveals the reality of how people access and use cannabis for endometriosis symptoms, and the barriers to open medical discussion.
The Bigger Picture
The gap between patient behavior and medical oversight is concerning. When people hide cannabis use from providers, potential drug interactions go unmonitored and reductions in prescribed medications happen without clinical guidance.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected sample from endometriosis organizations, likely overrepresenting those with positive cannabis experiences. No clinical verification of endometriosis diagnosis. No objective outcomes or pain measures. Cross-sectional design.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would formal medical cannabis programs increase patient disclosure and safety?
- ?How do drug-driving laws specifically affect endometriosis patients using cannabis?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Large international sample with meaningful findings, but self-selected respondents and lack of clinical verification limit evidence to moderate.
- Study Age:
- Recent international survey across 10+ countries.
- Original Title:
- 'In the weeds': navigating the complex concerns, challenges and choices associated with medicinal cannabis consumption for endometriosis.
- Published In:
- Reproduction & fertility, 6(2) (2025)
- Authors:
- Sinclair, Justin(14), Eathorne, Allie(4), Adler, Hannah(3), Mardon, Amelia, Holtzman, Orit, Abbott, Jason, Sarris, Jerome, Armour, Mike
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07666
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people with endometriosis use cannabis?
The top reasons were inadequate pain control from conventional treatments (68.6%) and bothersome side effects from prescribed medications (56.3%).
Why don't people tell their doctor about cannabis use?
Concerns about stigma, breaking the law, drug-driving regulations, and workplace drug testing were the main barriers to disclosure.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07666APA
Sinclair, Justin; Eathorne, Allie; Adler, Hannah; Mardon, Amelia; Holtzman, Orit; Abbott, Jason; Sarris, Jerome; Armour, Mike. (2025). 'In the weeds': navigating the complex concerns, challenges and choices associated with medicinal cannabis consumption for endometriosis.. Reproduction & fertility, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-24-0098
MLA
Sinclair, Justin, et al. "'In the weeds': navigating the complex concerns, challenges and choices associated with medicinal cannabis consumption for endometriosis.." Reproduction & fertility, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-24-0098
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "'In the weeds': navigating the complex concerns, challenges ..." RTHC-07666. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/sinclair-2025-in-the-weeds-navigating
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.