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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Megaera Lorenz is an Egyptologist and Writer with over 20 years of experience in public education. In 2017, she graduated with her PhD in Egyptology from The University of Chicago, where she served for several years as a content advisor and program facilitator for the Oriental Institute Museum’s Public Education office. She has also developed and taught Egyptology courses at The University of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago.
There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that sometimes grow in the lining of the uterus. While fibroids are usually harmless, they can sometimes cause pain, discomfort, and difficult periods. Although some research suggests that cannabinoids like CBD might be able to reduce the growth of tumors, there’s not much evidence that it can help specifically with fibroids.[1] However, if your fibroids are painful, CBD oil might help reduce your pain and discomfort.[2] You can take it in a variety of forms, including as a tincture, an edible, or even a suppository. Just talk to your doctor before trying CBD to make sure it’s a safe option for you.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Choosing Safe CBD Products
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1Buy CBD from a licensed retailer or dispensary. CBD products are still not well regulated in many areas. To reduce your risk of getting low quality or contaminated products, try to purchase CBD oil from a state-licensed dispensary or clinic that specializes in medical cannabis. The staff at the dispensary or clinic can give you advice on which products to try and how to use them.[3]
- If you'd like to purchase CBD oil online, you can find reliable options here.
- If you'd like to purchase it in person, you can search online using terms like “licensed CBD dispensary near me.”
- If you live in an area where there are no licensed dispensaries, you can purchase CBD products online here and have them shipped to you.
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2Choose products that have been third party verified. Before you take any CBD product, check that it’s been tested by a third party laboratory for purity and quality. Otherwise, you may get a product that’s ineffective or even harmful.[4] Always ask to see the certificate of analysis (COA) before you buy a product. The COA contains information about how the product was tested.[5]
- You can find more information about accredited labs that test CBD products in the U.S. by visiting the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) National Accreditation Board website at http://search.anab.org/. Search for “cannabidiol” or “CBD.”
Warning: If a dispensary or manufacturer won’t share information about how their products were tested, don’t buy from them.[6]
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3Check that the product is clearly labeled. Before you buy a product, read the label to see if it clearly states how much CBD oil it contains. Make sure it specifies the amount of CBD or cannabidiol in the product rather than using the more general term “cannabinoids.” Cannabinoids can also include other compounds, like THC.[7]
- Opt for products that specify how much CBD is in each dose, not just the total amount of CBD in the product.
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4Research CBD laws in your area. While CBD oil is legal to buy and use in many places, the laws are still evolving. Before purchasing CBD oil, check to see if it’s legal where you live. It’s also a good idea to find out how well the manufacture and labeling of CBD products is regulated in your area.[8]
- Try searching for something like, “Is it legal to buy CBD oil in Missouri?”
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Taking CBD Oil
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1Talk to your doctor before you try CBD oil. CBD oil is thought to be safe for most people. However, there’s still not a lot of research on its long-term effects, and it can also cause side effects in some people. Let your doctor know if you’re interested in trying CBD oil to get relief from your fibroid symptoms, and ask about the possible risks and benefits.[9]
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medications or supplements, since some of them can interact poorly with CBD oil.
- Always ask your doctor before taking CBD oil if you are pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant. It’s still not clear how CBD might affect a developing fetus or baby.
- If you decide to try CBD oil, your doctor can give you guidelines about what dosage might work best for you.
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2Use CBD suppositories for localized pain relief. There are a variety of CBD oil vaginal suppositories and “tampons” on the market. These products are mainly marketed as relief from menstrual cramps, but some people might also find them helpful for relieving other types of uterine pain, like that associated fibroids.[12] Insert the tampon or suppository into your vagina according to the directions on the label.
- You may find that a suppository that contains a combination of THC and CBD is more effective than CBD alone. THC is the compound in marijuana that gives you a high if you ingest or smoke it, but you’re unlikely to get high from using it vaginally. If THC is legal in your area, consider trying a combination suppository if CBD alone isn’t helping.
- Not everyone finds CBD suppositories helpful for uterine or abdominal pain relief. You may need to experiment with using different forms of CBD to find what works best for you.
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3Try a topical rub to soothe aches and pains. If your fibroids are causing aches and cramps in your abdomen, lower back, or legs, you might find it helpful to gently massage the area with a topical CBD oil balm or rub. Work the rub into your skin in the affected areas as often as directed on the package.[13]
- When you use CBD oil on your skin, it doesn’t enter your bloodstream. You may feel some localized pain relief, but you probably won’t experience the other benefits that many CBD users report, such as relief from stress or nausea.
- Topical CBD products tend to be relatively expensive since they contain high concentrations of CBD oil.
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4Vape CBD oil if you need quick pain relief. Inhaling CBD oil is the quickest way to get it into your bloodstream. If your fibroids are causing you a lot of pain and you need relief fast, use a vape pen to inhale the oil as a vapor. You may start to feel better in as little as 15-30 seconds.[14]
- Be extremely cautious when vaping CBD oils, since vaping with contaminated cartridges can cause serious illness or even death.[15] Only use products that have been third party verified and are sold by reputable retailers, and look for cartridges labeled “solvent free.”
- Ask your doctor about using a calibrated vaporizer, which can help you control the dose of CBD oil more accurately.[16]
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5Choose a tincture as a safer alternative to vaping. CBD oil tinctures come in the form of drops or sprays that you put under your tongue or inside your cheeks. Use a tincture to get relatively quick pain relief without some of the risks that come with vaping. Put the recommended dose in your mouth and hold it there for at least 30 seconds before you swallow.[17]
- Using a tincture is the second fastest way to get CBD into your bloodstream after vaping. You may start to feel relief within 15-30 minutes.
- Don’t apply the tincture on top of your tongue, since you could accidentally swallow it too soon and delay its effectiveness.
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6Take edibles if you don’t mind waiting for relief. CBD comes in several edible forms, including gummies, pastries, and CBD-infused beverages. You can also take it in a pill or capsule. If you choose to take CBD oil in an edible form, be aware that it may take 30 minutes or longer before you feel any effects.[18]
- This may be a good option if you don’t like the taste of tinctures or if your pain is relatively mild.
- It can be hard to judge how much CBD oil you’re getting when you take it in edible form. For more precise dosing, use pills or capsules.
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7Reach out to your doctor if you have side effects. Most people tolerate CBD oil well, but it does occasionally cause side effects. Stop using CBD and call your doctor if you notice symptoms such as diarrhea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue.[19]
- Using CBD oil vaginally could put you at risk of getting a vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. If you’re using CBD suppositories or tampons, let your doctor know if you develop symptoms such as itching, redness, pain, or unusual discharge from your vagina.[20]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Getting Medical Care for Your Fibroids
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1See your doctor if you think you might have fibroids. If you suspect you have fibroids, it’s important to get a medical diagnosis. Your doctor can examine you and do tests to determine for sure whether your symptoms are being caused by fibroids or another condition, such as endometriosis. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as:[21]
- Periods that are heavy, painful, or last longer than a week
- Pain or pressure in your pelvis, lower back, or legs
- Needing to urinate frequently, or having trouble emptying your bladder completely
- Constipation
- Spotting or bleeding in between periods
- Anemia with no obvious cause
Warning: While fibroids are almost always benign, their symptoms can be very similar to those of uterine cancer.[22] If you experience symptoms such as unusual bleeding or pelvic pain or pressure, it’s important to get it checked out right away.
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2Talk to your doctor about treatment options for severe fibroids. In many cases, your doctor will recommend a “watchful waiting” approach to dealing with fibroids, especially if they are small or your symptoms aren’t severe. However, if your fibroids are very painful or are causing problems such as difficult periods or infertility, there are a variety of treatments you can try. Some possible treatments include:[23]
- Medications to regulate your periods or reduce pain and inflammation
- Hormonal treatments to shrink your fibroids
- Surgery to remove or shrink the fibroids
- Endometrial ablation, in which the lining of the uterus is cauterized to reduce heavy bleeding
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3Seek emergency medical care for severe pain or bleeding. Fibroids aren’t usually dangerous. However, you should always get immediate medical care if you experience sudden, severe pain in your pelvis or abdomen. You should also get emergency care if you have bleeding that’s heavy enough to soak through 1 or more sanitary pads in an hour.[24]
- In rare cases, you may need a blood transfusion to treat severe blood loss due to fibroids.
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Warnings
- Many women discover that they have fibroids during a pregnancy. Since the effects of CBD oil on the developing fetus and baby aren’t yet well understood, don’t use CBD oil to treat your fibroids if you’re pregnant or nursing unless your doctor recommends it.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Some websites promoting the use of CBD and other cannabis products claim that the U.S. government is currently conducting a clinical trial on the use of CBD oil to shrink fibroids. However, the clinical trial in question is actually testing CDB-2914, a medication that affects the way cells in the female reproductive system react to the hormone progesterone.[25] CDB-2914 is not related to CBD.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/safe-cbd-use/
- ↑ https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/should-you-take-cbd-for-pain
- ↑ https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/complementary-therapy/types/medical-cannabis
- ↑ https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/should-you-take-cbd-for-pain
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/how-to-shop-for-cbd/
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/31/728370966/as-cbd-oils-become-more-popular-the-fda-is-looking-at-how-they-should-be-regulat
- ↑ https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/489287
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-including-cannabidiol-cbd
- ↑ https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-021-00073-1
- ↑ https://www.projectcbd.org/medicine/do-cannabis-suppositories-work
- ↑ https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/yes-cbd-creams-relieve-pain-but-science-is-still-learning-about-the-benefits
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/how-to-use-cbd-inhale-spray-apply-eat/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4718604/
- ↑ https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/should-you-take-cbd-for-pain
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/how-to-use-cbd-inhale-spray-apply-eat/
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
- ↑ https://globalnews.ca/news/4464815/cbd-vaginal-suppositories/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/symptoms.htm
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354294
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-fibroids/symptoms-causes/syc-20354288
- ↑ https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00044876
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The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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