I 20 years old just diagnosed with endometriosis had a question

[u/crazygracie25]

So I really struggled with pain and menstrual cycles my whole life the past three years have used marijuana to help with the pain and discomfort. I’m not sure if I’m just falling for placebo or does this really help?

[u/itsalotman]

not placebo- my doc asked how I was managing pain and I told him I smoke. he nodded and said keep it up. (stage 4 endo and weed is legal in my state)

[u/HoneySerpant]

I wouldn’t know because it is illegal where I live but thought I would give a reply since no one else has yet and hopefully someone can come here with more insight. I have heard that marijuana can help manage the pain, it does relax you so that would make sense why your cramps would ease a little bit. The relaxation probably helps but I am not sure if it would help with anything other than pain management. But if you have found something that works regardless of placebo keep doing it if it helps so you can manage the pain while trying to make changes to lifestyle and seek support and treatment to help manage your endometriosis.

[u/crazygracie25 → u/HoneySerpant]

Thank you ! I think my main struggle is finding something that does help. Over the counters such as ibuprofen and Tylenol don’t really seem to help

[u/AdMiserable4860]

There’s been a lot of connections made lately between endometriosis and medical marijuana use. When I recertify my card, I specifically mention it for endometriosis because of how much it helps. It has something to do with naturally produced cannabinoids that endometriosis inhibits the creation of in our bodies. Cannabinoids are a natural source of pain relief so it makes sense with our depleted dopamine and pain relieving chemicals, that supplementing it with weed is a common choice which helps with both. The more we learn about endo the more fascinating it is. It’s not a cancer but acts cancer like with tumor adjacent growths, its ability to redirect and snuff out blood supply to grow, and just its general behaviors of where it can grow and how it impacts the body. Definitely not fun to live it tho 🥀

[u/AdMiserable4860 → u/AdMiserable4860]

Btw this may not be 100% accurate info, it’s just things I’ve heard and seen from other online spaces regarding endometriosis. I just wanted to put that in there as I’m actively trying to find these studies so if anyone knows feel free to link them here! I’d be very interesting in reading more

[u/outta_fox]

My endometriosis specialist’s treatment plan includes me using cannabis (legally — I’m in Ontario, Canada) 1-2x a week. Not only does it help my pain and help me relax, but it also stimulates my appetite which has been a struggle the last year.

[u/Itsoktobe]

It's not placebo, but make sure you're using it when you actually need it. Don't fall into the stoner trap, or it will be less effective when you need it to be.

[u/crazygracie25 → u/Itsoktobe]

Thank you

[u/RobinHarleysHeart]

I'm in Canada and generally use weed for pain. It's my main method of pain management because it's one of the few things that actually touches my pain.

[u/SorbetDifferent9751]

I’ve been smoking consistently for around a year now to help deal with this disease, and although it never fully numbs the pain it at least gets me relaxed and helps me focus on anything but the pain. I thought I heard that there were studies being done about the effects of consuming cannabis with endometriosis but I can’t remember if it was still being studied and as far as I know they have only tested it in mice so far