Cannabidiol for the Management of Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain

Megha Mistry, Mistry M, Paul Simpson, Morris E, Edward Morris, Fritz AK, Ann-Katrin Fritz, Babu Karavadra, Lennox C, Carole Lennox, Edward Prosser‐Snelling, Ed Prosser-Snelling
Journal of minimally invasive gynecology · 2021 · vol. 29(2) , pp. 169–176 · doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2021.11.017 · PMID:34839061 · W3215624903
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-06 ⓘ

This paper reviews the current evidence on the use of cannabidiol for managing endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo review the available literature on the effect of cannabis-based products on the female reproductive system and establish whether there is any evidence that they benefit or harm patients with endometriosis and, therefore, whether there is sufficient evidence to recommend them.Data sourcesAn electronic-based search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database. Reference lists of articles retrieved were reviewed, and a gray literature search was also performed.Methods of study selectionThe original database search yielded 264 articles from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database, of which 41 were included. One hundred sixty-one studies relating to gynecologic malignancy, conditions unrelated to endometriosis, or therapies unrelated to cannabis-based products were excluded. Twelve articles were included from a gray literature search and review of references.Tabulation, integration, and resultsMost available evidence is from laboratory studies aiming to simulate the effects of cannabis-based products on preclinical endometriosis models. Some show evidence of benefit with cannabis-based products. However, results are conflicting, and the impact in humans cannot necessarily be extrapolated from these data. Few studies exist looking at the effect of cannabis or its derived products in women with endometriosis; the majority are in the form of surveys and are affected by bias. National guidance was also reviewed: at present, this dictates that cannabis-based products can only be prescribed for conditions in which there is clear published evidence of benefit and only when all other treatment options have been exhausted.ConclusionCurrent treatment options for endometriosis often affect fertility and/or have undesirable side effects that impede long-term management. Cannabis-based products have been suggested as a novel therapeutic option that may circumvent these issues. However, there is a paucity of well-designed, robust studies and randomized controlled trials looking at their use in the treatment of endometriosis. In addition, cannabis use has a potential for harm in the long term, with a possible association with "cannabis use disorder," psychosis, and mood disturbances. At present, national guidance cannot recommend cannabis-based products to patients in the UK owing to lack of clear evidence of benefit. More comprehensive research into the impact of endocannabinoids in the context of endometriosis is required before their use can be recommended or prescribed.

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Cannabidiol Cannabidiol Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain

Citation neighborhood

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.

References (46)

Cited by (10)

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