CBD Tampons: A Natural Solution for Period Pain

Written by Jason Brett — Edited by Cathy Rozyczko on November 19, 2021

Whether your menstrual cycle brings abdominal heaviness, mild cramping, or several days of intense, throbbing pain, you're likely not looking for long-winded descriptions of biological processes; you want pain relief.

If over-the-counter pain relievers, oral contraceptives, or prescription medications haven't been delivering the results you need, or you're concerned about some of the many potential side effects, maybe you're ready for a more natural approach!

Although a significant number of women claim considerable relief using CBD tinctures, edibles like CBD gummies, and CBD vapes for period pain, many find CBD tampons the best option for monthly cramps, lower back pain, mood swings, and more.

Here’s why.

What are CBD tampons?

If you were to type “CBD tampons” into your search bar, your inquiry would likely lead you in one of two possible directions. If you shop by name alone, you could easily end up with something far different than you might expect. Here's what you need to know about the two distinctly different types of CBD tampons.

There are 2 types of CBD tampons:

• Products that absorb menstrual flow
  The product you'd likely expect when ordering a CBD tampon is a feminine hygiene product infused with the therapeutic potential of CBD oil. Most often, the outer layer of a cotton or cotton/polyester tampon is coated with a blend of CBD and a carrier oil. These products can be a bit harder to find, but they are available.
• Products that dissolve in the vagina
  Vaginal CBD suppositories are also called tampons. Most often, CBD vaginal suppositories are made with a blend of coconut oil, cocoa butter, and cannabidiol extract. As the plant oils melt, the CBD passes through your vaginal wall into your bloodstream. Once your CBD suppository dissolves, you can insert a regular tampon.

Hemp Extracts Used to Make CBD Tampons

Now that you know there are two distinctly different products called CBD tampons, you now need to know that there are 3 different types of hemp extracts used to make them:

• Full Spectrum CBD
• Broad Spectrum CBD
• CBD Isolate

Full spectrum hemp extract contains high levels of CBD and only trace amounts of THC (0.3% or less). That's not enough of the psychoactive cannabinoid to cause intoxication, even if you were to drink large quantities of unrefined hemp extract.

If you're not comfortable using a product that contains trace amounts of THC, consider looking for CBD tampons infused with broad spectrum hemp extracts. Broad spectrum CBD provides additional cannabinoids and/or terpenes to support the entourage effect, with 0% THC.

Finally, products made with CBD isolate solely contain the cannabinoid CBD. There are no additional cannabinoids (including THC) present, unless a manufacturer has infused other cannabinoid isolates into the blend.

Abdominal Pain & Possible Symptoms Impacted by CBD

Knowing that your menstrual cramps are caused by uterine contractions is unlikely to alleviate your discomfort. But you might find it helpful to know that the hormone-like substance triggering those contractions, prostaglandin, is also known to cause inflammation and pain. For some, that pain can be severe enough to interfere with daily life.

For many women, menstrual cramps initially strike 1-3 days before their period starts, and typically subside within 2-3 days. Others find their pain starts days before their period begins and lasts throughout.

Severe period pain can radiate to the lower back and thighs, and may also be accompanied by any combination of the following symptoms:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Loose stools
• Bloating and water retention
• Irritability or mood swings
• Headaches
• Fatigue or sleep disturbances

While you likely don't need reminding how miserable your period can be, seeing that list of symptoms helps illustrate an important point:

CBD has the potential to alleviate them all. 

Once you know how a single plant element could be beneficial for such a wide range of women's health concerns, it's much easier to understand why so many women claim CBD tampons provide considerable relief.

How does it happen? That answer lies within the explanation of the largest regulatory system in your body, your endocannabinoid system (ECS).

ECS: The Regulatory System for the Body’s Processes

Your endocannabinoid system is a complex network of messengers and receptors that keeps essential processes working as they should. The receptors are located throughout your body and your brain.

The messengers, anandamide and 2-Ag, are made as needed. However, numerous internal and external factors can create a demand for ECS messengers that exceeds the available supply.

Since ECS signaling regulates nearly every essential function in your body, ECS deficiency can cause a lot of seemingly unrelated symptoms. That's where CBD comes into the picture.

CBD mimics the effects of the ECS messengers produced in your body to help restore essential communication. That ability to influence numerous processes throughout your body explains why CBD could have a considerable impact on how you feel during your period.

Possible Evidence for Use of CBD-Infused Tampons & Suppositories

Researchers investigating ECS function and CBD benefits have identified numerous properties that could be helpful for period pain and other discomforts. While there's no current data specifically highlighting the benefits of CBD tampons, many women report favorable results.

That anecdotal evidence is easily supported by what researchers have learned investigating the potential natural benefits of CBD for other concerns. Here's what we know so far:

Research confirms CBD's analgesic properties.

Whether you're dealing with abdominal pain, a nagging headache, or lower back pain, CBD could help. The cannabinoid is shown to have a considerable impact on muscle, joint, and nerve pain because it increases the amount of anandamide circulating in your bloodstream. The more anandamide in your system, the less pain you will feel. Current research suggests CBD could be a viable alternative to over-the-counter and prescription medications for pain relief.

Investigations confirm CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers investigating the effects of CBD confirm its remarkable anti-inflammatory potential. Studies show that CBD calms inflammation by blocking the enzyme responsible for the production of prostaglandins. That's the hormone-like substance that triggers uterine contractions, nerve sensitivity, muscle cramps, and other painful conditions. High levels of prostaglandins in your system can also intensify pain by constricting blood vessels and inhibiting circulation.

Investigations reveal CBD’s antispasmodic potential.
CBD also displays an ability to relax muscle spasms, an effect that can have a significant impact on period pain. The cannabinoid;s antispasmodic properties are the result of its ability to interact with the same receptors as anandamide, the CB1 receptors. Not only could the anti-spasmodic potential of CBD be helpful for monthly discomfort, researchers have also noted its therapeutic potential for combating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Research suggests CBD helps with stomach issues.
Many women experience nausea and vomiting when period pain strikes. CBD oil is shown to have potent antiemetic properties, an effect that calms unpleasant stomach issues by interacting with the same receptors as several commonly recommended anti-nausea medications. You may also find it helpful to know that CBD suppositories are most often preferred by CBD users experiencing stomach pain, digestive disturbances, or difficulty swallowing.

Other functions related to menstruation regulated by the ECS

Your endocannabinoid system also regulates other functions impacted by that time of the month, including:

• Hormonal regulation
• Moods and emotions
• Digestive processes
• Sleep cycles
• And more

Many women report favorable results using CBD tampons in as little as 15 minutes!

That's likely because suppositories (and therefore tampons) allow the cannabinoids to absorb into your body without being processed through your digestive system. Since no cannabinoids are lost to digestion, many women find the effects of vaginal distribution considerably more potent than CBD edibles.

Could I benefit from CBD tampons?

You may not be too surprised to learn that 85% of menstruating women report getting cramps just before their period starts.

More than two-thirds say hormonal fluctuations affect their mood.

71% report heightened fatigue.

And nearly a third say severe symptoms interfere with their daily routine. Although CBD tampon use may seem a bit unusual for some, many women claim vaginal suppositories and CBD-infused tampons can make a world of difference in the way they feel.

Like any other CBD product, purity and potency will have a considerable impact on your overall experience.

The best CBD tampons are made with extracts sourced from non-GMO plants grown using natural farming methods. To ensure the safety, purity, and potency of the tampons and suppositories you select, be sure to order from a reputable company that provides access to third-party test results.

You can use these test results to confirm your CBD products are as potent as claimed, THC levels meet expectations, and your CBD tampons have been screened for heavy metals, environmental toxins, and other potential contaminants.

If you’re unsure, consult your healthcare provider before using CBD tampons.

While there have been few reports (if any) of CBD tampons causing adverse reactions, it's important to keep in mind that a healthy vagina contains a balance of various bacteria.

Since anything inserted into the vagina has the potential to disrupt that natural balance, you'll want to stay alert for any signs of irritation or infection.

Until there's more scientific data available, the only way to know if a CBD tampon might provide the pain relief you've been searching for is to try one. Start with a low dosage CBD product to gauge how your body responds.

However, if you have a medical condition or take medication, please consult your healthcare provider before placing an order. While this safe, natural plant element poses a low risk of side effects, it's known to interact with several prescription and non-prescription medications, including antibiotics and antidepressants.

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