CBD in the change of life

What are the typical symptoms of menopause and what causes them?

The menopause (climacteric) refers to the natural transition phase in a woman's life during which the hormone production of the ovaries – especially estrogen and progesterone – gradually decreases. This hormonal change leads to profound physiological and psychological changes that can manifest in a variety of menopausal symptoms.

Hormonal basics

• In perimenopause (the years before the last menstrual period), estrogen levels begin to fluctuate irregularly, often accompanied by progesterone deficiency.
  

• With the onset of postmenopause, estrogen levels permanently decline, affecting numerous bodily systems: nervous system, vascular tone, sleep regulation, mucous membranes, skin, and bone metabolism.

Typical symptoms at a glance

Frequency and course

• Up to 80% of women report vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes.
  

• The duration of symptoms can vary greatly: from a few months to over ten years.
  

• Symptoms are particularly burdensome when they affect several areas of life simultaneously – e.g., sleep quality, work performance, and partnership.

Menopausal symptoms arise from a complex interplay of hormonal dysregulations, neurological adaptation processes, and psychosocial factors. Since hormone replacement therapy is not suitable for all women, non-hormonal approaches – such as with CBD-containing products like CANNEFF® VAG SUP – are gaining increasing importance.

What role does the endocannabinoid system play in menopause?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a central, endogenous regulatory system that intervenes in many physiological processes – including thermoregulation, mood, sleep, pain perception, inflammatory responses, and hormone balance. In menopause, when estrogen levels drop sharply, there is a functional influence on the ECS that can play a key role in the development of typical menopausal complaints.

Structure and function of the endocannabinoid system

The ECS consists of three main components:

Hormonal regulation of the ECS in menopause

• Estrogens directly modulate the ECS: they increase the production of anandamide and the density of CB1 receptors.

• During menopause, estrogen concentration decreases, leading to a reduction in anandamide and CB1 expression.

• This can contribute to hypersensitivity of the temperature center, impaired stress processing, and an increase in inflammatory processes.

Relevance of the ECS in menopausal complaints

Significance for therapy in menopause

• Weakened ECS activity due to estrogen decline can intensify typical symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, or sleep disturbances.
  

• CBD (cannabidiol) does not act directly as an agonist at CB1/CB2 but modulates the ECS via:

• Inhibition of anandamide breakdown (FAAH inhibition)

• TRPV1 modulation, relevant for heat and pain perception

• 5-HT1A activation, mood- and sleep-promoting

The endocannabinoid system is closely linked to hormonal balance and the central regulation of climacteric complaints. In menopause, the decline of endogenous cannabinoid activity contributes to the intensification of vasomotor, emotional, and physical symptoms. Products like CANNEFF® VAG SUP, which specifically influence the ECS, can represent an effective and hormone-free therapeutic option here.

How does CBD work in the body – and why is it interesting for women in menopause?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive active ingredient of the cannabis plant that exhibits diverse biological effects – especially in the areas of nerve, hormone, and immune regulation. For women in menopause, CBD is medically interesting because it specifically influences those systems destabilized by the decline of estrogen: the endocannabinoid system (ECS), serotonin balance, as well as inflammation- and pain-related signaling pathways.

Mechanisms of action of CBD

Why is this relevant for women in menopause?

Relief of hot flashes

CBD acts via the ECS and TRPV1 on the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus, which becomes hypersensitive due to estrogen decline. Studies such as those by Sui et al. (2022) and the CANNEFF® study (2024) demonstrate a significant reduction in vasomotor symptoms.

Mood and sleep stabilization

CBD is non-psychotropic but has proven anxiolytic, antidepressant, and sleep-promoting properties. This is especially relevant as many women in menopause suffer from irritability, restlessness, or sleep disturbances.

Anti-inflammatory and pain relief

CBD inhibits inflammatory processes and modulates the immune response. This can relieve joint pain, feelings of tension, and mucous membrane irritations – typical complaints in hormonal deficiency.

Safe and hormone-free

CBD does not hormonally burden the body, has no addiction potential, and no psychotropic effects like THC. In particular, CANNEFF® VAG SUP, a medically tested vaginal suppository with CBD and hyaluronic acid, showed no relevant side effects in clinical studies – while simultaneously having a positive effect on climacteric complaints.

CBD exerts its effects through several synergistic signaling pathways closely linked to the typical symptoms of menopause. Through modulation of the ECS, stabilization of serotonin receptors, and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD – especially in tested formulations like CANNEFF® VAG SUP – is a safe, hormone-free, and holistic option to support women during climacteric.

Which scientific studies investigate CBD for menopausal complaints?

What distinguishes medical CBD products like CANNEFF® from over-the-counter CBD products?

The market for CBD products has grown significantly in recent years – from oils, capsules, and cosmetics to near-medicinal applications. However, it is often difficult for consumers to recognize which products are medically tested and which are sold merely as dietary supplements or lifestyle products. A key difference exists between over-the-counter CBD products and medically approved products like CANNEFF® VAG SUP, a vaginal medical device class IIa, specially developed for women in menopause.

CANNEFF® VAG SUP vs. other CBD products

Advantages of CANNEFF® VAG SUP

• Targeted effect in the urogenital area, ideal for hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irritability, and pain during intercourse.

• Combination with hyaluronic acid for mucous membrane care and anti-inflammatory effects in vaginal dryness or injuries in the intimate area.
  

• Clinically proven efficacy (e.g., reduction of the Menopause Rating Scale).
  

• No psychotropic effect, no hormonal burden, safe alternative to HRT.
  

• Patented pharmaceutical formulation – not comparable to DIY CBD suppositories. 

What role can CBD play as part of a holistic therapy approach?

CBD (Cannabidiol) is gaining increasing importance as a complementary measure in the holistic treatment of menopause. It is not about isolated use, but about integration into a multimodal therapy concept that takes into account physical, emotional, and hormonal changes. Especially for women who do not want hormone replacement therapy or cannot tolerate it, CBD offers a well-tolerated, non-hormonal module that can be combined with other therapeutic measures.

CBD as an Integrative Component in Menopause Therapy