Cannabis Use, a Self-Management Strategy Among Australian Women With Endometriosis: Results From a National Online Survey

Justin Sinclair, Caroline A Smith, Caroline Smith, Smith CA, Jason Abbott, Abbott J, Jane Chalmers, K Jane Chalmers, Pate DW, David W Pate, Mike Armour
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC · 2019 · vol. 42(3) , pp. 256–261 · doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2019.08.033 · PMID:31722852 · W2983460745
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 36 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

Australian women with endometriosis utilize cannabis as a self-management strategy, with most reporting relief from pelvic pain and other symptoms.

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Abstract

ObjectiveThis study sought to determine the prevalence, tolerability, and self-reported effectiveness of cannabis in women with endometriosis.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October and December 2017. Recruitment targeted women with endometriosis through social media postings from endometriosis advocacy groups. Women aged 18 to 45, living in Australia, and with surgically confirmed endometriosis were eligible to participate. Survey questions investigated the types of self-management used, change in symptoms or medication use, costs, and adverse events.ResultsA total of 484 responses were included for analysis, with 76% of the women reporting the use of general self-management strategies within the last 6 months. Of those using self-management, 13% reported using cannabis for symptom management. Self-reported effectiveness in pain reduction was high (7.6 of 10), with 56% also able to reduce pharmaceutical medications by at least half. Women reported the greatest improvements in sleep and in nausea and vomiting. Adverse effects were infrequent (10%) and minor.ConclusionAustralian law currently requires legal medicinal cannabis use to follow specific, regulated pathways that limit prescription by this method; however, self-reported illicit use of cannabis remains relatively common in Australian women with endometriosis. Women report good efficacy of cannabis in reducing pain and other symptoms, with few adverse effects reported. Further clinical research is warranted to determine the effectiveness of cannabis in managing endometriosis symptoms. In locations where medicinal cannabis is more accessible, there remains a paucity of evidence for its clinical efficacy with endometriosis-associated symptoms.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Cannabis Endometriosis Medical Marijuana Self-Management Adolescent Adult Analgesics, Opioid Analgesics, Opioid Australia Australia Cannabis Cross-Sectional Studies Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Health Surveys Humans Medical Marijuana Medical Marijuana Middle Aged

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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