Cannabis Use For Gynecology
- Since Federal laws still classifies cannabis as illegal, thus research and guidelines for use are really lacking, in all fields a clinical review of the topic that appeared in the Sept 10, 2019 issue of JAMA highlighted some of the problems with the use of cannabis.
- Women, because of their smaller size, their decreased blood volume (relative to men), and their hormonal fluctuations (natural for the menstrual cycle), tend to be more susceptible than men to problems with dosing of all medications, herbals, and drugs.
- Although the FDA approved cannabinoid components dronabinol and nabilone for chemotherapy induced nausea, back in 1985, there is no approved nor deemed safe use of these medicines in pregnancy.
- The studies of cannabis use for pain have primarily studied neuropathic pain, and currently there are no high quality studies of the use of cannabis for any gynecologic condition including: menstrual cramps, endometrioisis, or uterine fibroids.
- Use of cannabis immediate effects can be associated with impaired learning, memory, attention, poor decision making, and affect motor coordination.
- Chronic use is associated with risk of psychiatric illness and addiction.
