Today at my Irvine office I evaluated a 51 year old women who wanted an evaluation to see if medical marijuana could provide relief for some of the symptoms she has been experience as a result of menopause.   Specifically she had been suffering from severe hot flashes which caused secondary insomnia.   As a result of not being able to sleep well she was “always tired” during the day.  Her ob/gyn had tried prescribing paxil and ambien to help relieve her symptoms but the side effects were worse than what she was trying to relieve.    A few weeks back a friend of hers that had a medical marijuana card for chronic pain gave her some marijuana to try to improve her sleep.  The results “were amazing” she told me.

The first night she vaporized (inhaled smoke free) one pinch of a cannabis strain called OG Kush.  She described lying down and falling asleep almost immediately.  Prior to that she would “toss and turn” for a few hours before finally falling asleep.  She reported that she slept 8 hours for the first time in 2 years!   As a result she woke up feeling rested and was able to be more productive the next day.  She plans on using marijuana for the duration of her menopausal symptoms and is “so relieved” that she has a “more natural alternative.”

Menopause occurs because of decreasing estrogen levels in the womens body.   It typically occurs around the age of 51.   Many women experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness and nights sweats.   Many women also report feeling anxious or even depressed.   It can be a very difficult time for women as there reproductive organs “shut down” for good.   Typically doctos try giving their patients SSRI’s (antidepressants such as Paxil), Ambien to improve sleep and benzodiazepines to treat anxiety.   Hormone replacement therapy used to be the gold standard to reduce the typical symptoms but recent studies showed an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

I see many women who get great results by using small amounts of cannabis in the evening to reduce their symptoms.  Because cannabis is such a benign medication (very little unwanted side effects) I believe that it is a great alternative to try.   It is not addictive, is not toxic to any major organ system and be used as often as necessary.  In addition if vaporized (vs smoked) there are no harmful side effects from smoke which limits most patients from even trying it.

If you are in menopause or would like more information on whether you could benefit from using cannabis feel free to make an appointment at 877-721-0047.  There is NO FEE if you do not qualify or decide not to use it.

Respectfully,

Dr. Breen