Most People Using Cannabis for Endometriosis Access It Illegally Despite Medical Options | Research

The takeaway

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.

gynecologists, endometriosis patients, pain management clinicians, cannabis policy researchers

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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.

How to read the evidence

Large international sample with meaningful findings, but self-selected respondents and lack of clinical verification limit evidence to moderate.

When this study was published

Recent international survey across 10+ countries.

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.

Questions still open

Would formal medical cannabis programs increase patient disclosure and safety?
How do drug-driving laws specifically affect endometriosis patients using cannabis?

Common 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.

Read the original research

'In the weeds': navigating the complex concerns, challenges and choices associated with medicinal cannabis consumption for endometriosis.

Reproduction & fertility, 6(2)

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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