Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been the point of contact for the treatment of symptoms of menopause for years. For women looking for alternatives, medical cannabis is tacitly a promising new ally in South Africa for menopause. This is reproduced in the observations of the AKOS -Bio pharmacy. When AKOS Bio launched her regulated medical cannabis pharmacy, they were initially surprised that the greatest interest in their products of women came in the menopause.
A natural shift in menopause management
For many women who occur in the 1950s, menopause is more than just the end of the monthly period. It is the beginning of a complex new chapter in physical, emotional and sexual health. Menopause is a natural biological process. But the associated symptoms – hot flushes, joint pain, insomnia and vaginal drought – can be relentless and deeply disturbing.
Sikhosande Kula, the responsible pharmacist at AKOS Bio, finds that women with menopause increasingly investigate prescription cannabis. “In contrast to leisure scannabis, medical cannabisk formulations are carefully dosed and regulated to aim at certain conditions. Products contain cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or a combination of both are now prescribed by medical specialists for a number of questions.
In 2022, South Africa legalized access to medical cannabis in section 21 permits. This enabled licensed pharmacies to give patients with the approval of a doctor on cannabis-based medication. Nowadays, this path will go down by more and more women with likeable symptoms.
How medical cannabis makes the symptoms of menopause easier
Hot rinsing and thermoregulation
One of the most frequently reported and most stressful symptoms of menopause is the hot flush. Sudden thermal fluctuations, often followed by sweating and chills, can occur at any time, day and night, and it is assumed that changes in the inner thermostat of the body caused them due to the decreasing estrogen level.
Approaching evidence suggests that cannabinoids can help regulate the body’s endocannabinoid system that plays a role in temperature control. While research is ongoing, anecdotal reports and early studies indicate that carefully dose -dose drugs based on cannabis can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flushes and that women can offer a greater feeling of control over their bodies.
Sleep
Insomnia in menopause is more than a minor inconvenience; It is a health risk. Sleep disorders can lead to daily fatigue, mood swings and even an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
“It is known that the psychoactive connection in cannabis induces sleepiness and supports sleep. CBD was associated with better sleep quality and reduced night watches. Combined in the right conditions, these compounds can help women to fall asleep and fall asleep for longer without sleeping the need for additive sleep medication.
Joint pain
Another quiet struggle for women in menopause is joint pain, often due to reduced estrogen levels that influence the joint lubrication and inflammation. The anti -inflammatory properties of cannabinoids, especially CBD, attain the attention of chronic pain and stiffness as a natural remedy.
Many patients report a noticeable decrease in pain and swelling when using oils or tinctures based on cannabis. These advantages can also improve mobility and support a more active lifestyle that is of crucial importance for long-term bone and cardiovascular health in the years after menopause.
Read more: Why to gain weight during perimenopause?
intimacy
Perhaps one of the least spoken and emotionally stressful symptoms of menopause is the vaginal dryness and a decrease in sexual pleasure. Loss of estrogen can dilute the vaginal outline, reduce natural lubrication and reduce blood flow, which leads to painful traffic and a waste of sexual desire.
Here medical cannabis offers an unexpected advantage. THC increases blood flow and sensitivity in the pelvic region, which can improve sexual arousal and pleasure. It has been shown that CBD reduces fear and muscle tension and women make it possible to feel more relaxed and open to intimacy.
Research in this area is developing even further. However, a growing number of women not only turns to relieve the symptoms to cannabis-based treatments, but also to combine with their body and sexual self-confidence in this phase of life.
Dr. Robyn Milton, a South African general practitioner specializing in sexual, hormonal and mental health, emphasizes the importance of individual care during menopause. She realizes: “The support of individuals through perimenopause requires a holistic approach that looks at both physical and emotional well -being.”
Read more: 13 subtle signs of menopause that every woman should know about
Access to medical cannabis for menopause in South Africa
Access to medical cannabis in South Africa is thanks to pioneering platforms such as AKOS. As a fully licensed online pharmacy, which is dedicated to the delivery of high-quality, conformed medical cannabis, AKOS organic patients offer a seamless experience. They offer virtual consultations with cannabinoid prescription doctors and delivery. According to Sahpra, there are over 100 such facilities in South Africa.
Medical cannabis is available in a variety of formats in pharmaceutical quality. The most common are oral solutions or oils that are used for faster absorption sublingual (under the tongue). You may find formulations such as oral drops, inhalation options or dry herbal steams for a faster effect.
Is it possible to use cannabis and use HRT at the same time?
Yes, it is possible to use medical cannabis in addition to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). “There are currently no direct interactions between cannabinoids (THC or CBD) and estrogen or progesterone therapy,” says Dr. Milton. “As with any combined treatment plan, however, it should be managed by a qualified medical specialist.” Many patients have found that cannabis relieves the remaining symptoms that HRT does not fully concern, in particular anxiety, sleep disorders and joint pain.
Read more: When menopause affects your productivity
A word of caution – and empowerment
The use of medical cannabis for menopause is not a uniform solution. The effects of THC and CBD can vary depending on the dose, ratio and administration method. For this reason, it is important to consult a doctor who understands cannabis medicine and can lead a personalized treatment plan.
Doctors who prescribe medical cannabis follow a protocol registered by the South African Medicines Regulator (Sahpra). They take into account various factors, including the patient’s menopausal symptoms (e.g. anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, mood swings), existing medication, medical history and previous experience with cannabinoids.
Women over 50 earn options that match their bodies, lifestyle and values. Medical cannabis is not about “getting high”. It is about restoring the balance, relieving symptoms and opening the door to a more lively, networked experience of life.
The way forward
In a country in which taboos around cannabis and menopause still linger, this growing interest in herbal medicine signals a cultural shift. South African women take their health into their own hands, explore natural alternatives and demand better care.
For those who occur or already occur in menopause, medical cannabis can offer more than symptom management – it can provide relief, dignity and a new feeling.
