An international study by Australian researchers has delved into the attitudes of women with endometriosis who are using cannabis to manage their symptoms.
Endometriosis is an all-too-common condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it. It can often be painful and sometimes debilitating; and in particularly severe cases lead to infertility.
Endometriosis patients dissatisfied with conventional treatments have been increasingly turning to cannabis for symptom relief.
For this study, an online survey was distributed internationally by endometriosis organisations; open to anyone consuming cannabis for related symptoms. There were 899 responses from women in 28 countries.
Among the findings:
- Illicit cannabis was the most common access pathway (56.7%).
- 26.1% utilised cannabis through legal self-administration without prescription, while just 17.2% had a prescription.
- 99% of respondents said they continue to use cannabis to manage their symptoms.
- 90% said they would recommend its use to a friend or relative with endometriosis.
- The most common motivations for cannabis consumption were inadequate pain control (68.6%) and troublesome side effects from conventional medications (56.3%)
But the researchers expressed concern that those using illicit cannabis were significantly less likely to reveal their cannabis consumption to medical professionals.
“Cannabis was viewed as superior to pharmaceuticals both in terms of effectiveness and side-effect profile,” states the study abstract. “Despite this, concerns around cost, breaking the law, judgement due to stigma, and current drug-driving laws were reported. Illicit usage and lack of medical oversight raise concerns over potential drug interactions or withdrawal effects due to reduction in pharmaceutical medications because of cannabis.”
Only 1% of respondents reported discontinuing cannabis. The reasons included:
- Side effects (44%)
- Stigma (44%)
- Cultural/religious judgement (44%)
- Potential illicit cannabis adulteration (44%).
Other reasons for discontinuation included legal issues, concern over police roadside drug testing, finding cannabis ineffective, problems accessing products, employment drug testing, cost and cannabis not managing their pain completely.
In their conclusion, the researchers stated:
“More research is urgently needed, including clinical trials and real-world data to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of quality-assured medicinal cannabis products in the endometriosis population.”
The study has been published in the journal Reproduction & Fertility.
Another study published last year also indicated cannabis could potentially become part of an overall approach to the management of endometriosis.
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