Can CBD Help with Menopause Symptoms? Experts Weigh In

Menopause is a powerful transition, and it’s something that every woman experiences differently. For some, it arrives quietly, almost unnoticed. But for others, it can feel like a relentless storm of hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, and brain fog. The worst part is that there’s limited information on this experience and how profoundly it affects people.

As conversations around women’s health become more open, many are seeking natural ways to find balance. One of the most promising (and most talked about) options is cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a compound found in cannabis that may support the body’s natural systems through this hormonal shift.

We spoke with four women leading the way in cannabinoid wellness to understand how CBD and other cannabinoids may support women through perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

What happens during menopause

Menopause isn’t a single moment. It’s a gradual biological shift that takes place over several years and has varying side effects for everyone.

• Perimenopause can begin as early as a woman’s 40s, when estrogen levels begin to fluctuate. This stage often brings irregular cycles, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and brain fog.
• Menopause is marked by 12 months without a period, and is often accompanied by hot flashes, night sweats, and changes in skin elasticity or bone density.
• Postmenopause follows. During this period, symptoms may taper, but issues like joint pain or decreased collagen can linger.
  

While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains a standard option, many women are beginning to explore the plant-based, anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids to restore balance naturally.

“I’ve been seeing a shift in focus recently, and I love it,” said Sasha Kalcheff-Korn, executive director at Realm of Caring, a non-profit educating the world about cannabis. “Historically, women call us because of her role as a caregiver. She has an aging parent or a kiddo with a catastrophic condition at home, and she’s looking for a sliver of hope. But in recent years, I’m seeing these women start to bring themselves into the conversation when they hear about the benefits of cannabinoids.”

Kalcheff-Korn and her team will share some standard potential benefits of CBD, like mood balance, anti-inflammation, and the clearing of brain fog. The women calling will hear this and start to picture their own symptoms, imagining how CBD might help.

“After my first kid, I noticed a lot of hormonal changes, and I started CBD therapy for myself,” Kalcheff-Korn said. “It alleviated a lot of issues for me: day-to-day anxiety, pain in my pelvic floor, and other health challenges. I’ve been on a mission ever since then to help other women realize there’s a lot of potential here for them as well.”

Opal and Joy are makers of plant-based products for women experiencing change. Co-founder Melissa Zissou echoes this sentiment, explaining that her co-founder’s severe early perimenopause symptoms, including anxiety, joint pain, and insomnia, sparked their entire business. 

“I suspected that high-quality, full-spectrum CBD could help alleviate the intensity of some of her symptoms. I encouraged her to try it, and what a result!” Zissou said. “It brought her almost immediate relief; it reduced her inflammation and joint pain, calmed her racing thoughts and anxiety, helped improve her sleep cycles and duration, and improved her overall mood. In short, she was able to function again.”

CBD and menopause

CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS): a network that helps regulate mood, sleep, temperature, inflammation, and hormones. When estrogen levels drop, the ECS can become less active, which may explain why some women experience greater stress, pain, or insomnia during menopause. CBD appears to support homeostasis, helping the body find its natural rhythm again.

“I love seeing the beauty of CBD shine through. The main thing it does is modulate our ECS; it’s bringing that homeostasis, that balance within the body,” Kalcheff-Korn said. “It might not be a drastic overnight shift, but over time, you notice: I slept better last night. My anxiety lessened. I feel more balanced from day to day.”

According to Zissou, this modulation can have real-world impacts on temperature regulation and mood stability. 

“The ECS has been linked to thermoregulation, and some preliminary studies suggest CBD might modulate the ECS to help regulate temperature, potentially impacting hot flashes,” Zissou said. 

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Better sleep, sex, and relaxation

Several studies suggest that CBD may improve sleep quality and reduce sleep disturbances common in menopause. 

“A close friend told me CBD was the first thing that helped her rest through the night during perimenopause,” said Katie Enright, founder of cannabis intimacy product brand Lavinia. 

“What excites me most are the stories about intimacy. One woman told me that after using CBD lubricant, sex went from feeling stressful and painful back to being enjoyable and playful again. Those kinds of experiences remind me that CBD is not just easing symptoms; it is helping women reconnect with themselves and their partners.”

Zissou added that sleep is often the first thing to improve. 

“When a woman finally gets that deep, uninterrupted sleep, her anxiety drops, her brain fog lifts, and she can face her demanding career and family with energy,” she said. 

CBD and hormones, mood, and anxiety

Mood swings and anxiety are common during menopause, often linked to declining estrogen and shifts in serotonin activity. CBD has been shown to interact with serotonin receptors, which might help regulate mood and ease anxiety. Studies and anecdotal reports also suggest that CBD can support emotional balance and reduce stress and brain fog over time.

“Women are often calling us about a loved one’s brain fog or anxiety, and by the end of the call, they realize they’ve been feeling the same,” says Kalcheff-Korn. “It’s beautiful to see women start advocating for themselves and really exploring this space as a possibility.”

Anti-inflammatory benefits and joint support

CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may help with joint stiffness and aches linked to hormonal changes or decreased bone density. While research is early, anecdotal reports are strong: many women note reduced swelling, muscle tension, and overall comfort.

“Emerging research suggests that CBD interacts with the GPR55 receptor, potentially increasing bone mass and enhancing bone resorption,” Zissou said. “Still, we need more clinical trials to fully understand the potential for supporting perimenopause and menopause with CBD.”

These findings suggest that CBD isn’t just easing symptoms; it might just be part of a larger shift toward empowering women to take a more proactive, holistic approach to their midlife health.

Intimacy and vaginal health

As estrogen declines, vaginal dryness and discomfort can make intimacy painful. That’s where cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and THC come in.

“I wish people understood that menopause is not the end of sex or intimacy,” Enright said. “It is a new stage of life that deserves to be embraced with care and dignity. Cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and THC can ease dryness, help the body relax, improve sleep, stabilize mood, and enhance sensitivity during sex. This is not about getting high; it is about reclaiming joy, connection, and vitality. If more women saw cannabinoids as a tool not just for wellness but also for intimacy, it could completely transform how menopause is experienced.”

CEO of Hello Again, Lisa Williams, echoes that sentiment. Her company offers CBD-rich vaginal suppositories, including: Period, Sleep, and Menopause. Since the products are delivered as vaginal suppositories, there is a bit of education involved, and the company is devoted to sharing a wide range of resources.

“I usually start by asking about the symptoms they are experiencing, as that helps guide them to the right formula,” Williams said. “I always suggest starting with one suppository a day. If needed, women can cut them in half or add another, because every body is different and it takes a little exploration to find what works best.”

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Choosing the right product

When exploring CBD for menopause, the experts agree: start low and go slow.

“Everyone’s body is unique, and the goal is to find what feels right for you,” Enright said. “CBD is a great starting point since it is non-intoxicating.”

The biggest mistake Enright sees is people expecting CBD to work instantly. 

“CBD is most effective when it becomes part of your daily routine, and its benefits often build gradually,” Enright said. “When it comes to intimacy, I encourage women to try products like lubricants or gummies in a way that feels safe, comfortable, and fun. Exploring with curiosity is key.”

Kalcheff-Korn encourages women to check in with their physician before embarking on a new cannabinoid journey, especially if they are on other forms of medication for menopause or hormonal regulation.

“CBD oil is metabolized by the same system that metabolizes a lot of other pharmaceuticals, so it’s a good idea to make your physician aware that you’re working it into your regimen so you can do it safely,” Kalcheff-Korn explained. “You can also call our care team, which is a free service to help people get their questions answered. Journaling along the way is another great tip. Logging what’s going on and how things might be fluctuating from day to day will really help.”

Also, keep in mind that consistency is key, and daily use allows cannabinoids to build up in your system for more noticeable effects.

Zissou agrees and adds one crucial caveat: “Never buy CBD without seeing the Certificate of Analysis,” she said. “That’s the third-party lab report proving purity and potency. And always choose full-spectrum CBD, because perimenopause is complex, and you need all the cannabinoids and terpenes working together for the entourage effect.”

She also emphasizes patience: start low, go slow, and give it two to four weeks of consistent use. While CBD supports your body’s deep regulatory systems, it’s also not an instant fix.

“Every woman has to find her own recipe that works,” Williams said. “For me, skipping a few nights shows up right away in my sleep data. The body notices.”

Final thoughts

CBD isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a promising ally for many women navigating the hormonal imbalances and shifts of menopause. From improved sleep and mood to reduced inflammation and renewed intimacy, the research (and the lived experiences) suggest that cannabinoids may offer gentle, steady support when it’s needed most.

“We named the company after our grandmothers, Opal and Joy, to honor the women who suffered through this transition without the resources we now have,” Zissou said. “It was then that our mission became clear: to create the premium, science-backed products that women like Tiffany (and me, eventually!) deserve.”

Have you tried treatment options related to CBD for menopause or perimenopause symptoms? We’d love to hear your experience or questions. Join the discussion on our social channels and help us make cannabinoid wellness an open, empowering conversation for all women.