If you’ve ever wanted to try THC suppositories for menstrual cramps, don’t live in a state with recreational pot, and can’t seem to qualify for a medical card: Check out CBD suppositories.
Every time I menstruate, I not only experience stabbing pains in my pelvis, but I’m incredibly exhausted and drained. I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal issues, so the first two days of my period are basically unbearable. Did I also mention that I’m transgender and experience gender dysphoria every time I bleed out of my uterus? Yeah, it’s a lot.
The thought occurred to me a few months ago: Why not try CBD suppositories? I did some online searching and found products that I could receive by mail from Hemp Health Inc, Endoca, and VSpot.
Here is the product break down of my two-day-long experiment.
VSpot Organic CBD V-Suppositories Menstrual Cramp Relief — 100 mg
The first full day of my period is a combination of lethargy, distraction, and overall irritation, combined with IBS issues.
At 12 p.m., I inserted the off-white vaginal suppository by VSpot. (Before inserting, I followed directions and put the suppository in the freezer for five minutes.) The substance melted slowly and didn’t leak. I didn’t feel any immediate effect. I also ate one of the company’s 25mg PMS relief gummies a half hour prior at 11:30 a.m.
(My preferred method of insertion is over the toilet, like a tampon, but the packaging suggests lying down with your knees pressed on your chest. The position doesn’t matter much if you’re inserting vaginally, as long as you insert confidently.)
A half hour later, at 12:30 p.m., I had to pee. I was worried about peeing out the product. I felt a weird sensation in my pelvic area and still felt pain.
At 3:30 p.m., three and a half hours after insertion, I feel less pain.
At 4:30pm, four and half hours after insertion, I jotted down “still feeling alright here!” I was productive, which means my mood was boosted and I was feeling more energetic than during a usual first-day.
At 6pm, six hours after insertion, I’m still feeling good. My only bloat is from dinner.
CBD Suppositories/Vaginal Ovules — 50mg, Endoca
(Courtesy of Endoca)
Vaginal
At 7:30 p.m. on day one, I tried another vaginal suppository, this time by Endoca. By this point, I was at heavy flow.
Two hours later, around 9:30 p.m., I’m happy to report I felt immense relief and significantly less pelvic pain.
Anal
Endoca’s product can be used anally or vaginally, so I wanted to give anal a go.
At 12:15 p.m. the next day, I inserted a suppository anally. This was the first time I ever used any type of anal suppository, and it was a pretty uncomfortable experience. It was a strange sensation to insert but ultimately it fit like a glove.
An hour and forty-five minutes later, at 2 p.m., I felt significantly less cramps. I had a bowel movement, and it was far less painful than a typical period.
By 4:30 p.m., just over four hours after insertion, my digestive track was feeling great and I wasn’t feeling any pain whatsoever. I felt a lot better this day than the day prior, and believe the anal insertion made a big difference compared to vaginal.
Pharma Hemp Suppositories — 25mg, Hemp Health, Inc
(Courtesy of Pharma Hemp)
On day two, at 11:30 p.m., I inserted Hemp Health, Inc’s anal product. The inserting process, although I used the exact same method, was much more uncomfortable than with Endoca’s the previous day.
I fell asleep within an hour of inserting, so unfortunately I don’t have much to report other than coincidental overnight relief. However, when I woke up the following morning, I didn’t wake up to IBS issues.
My Verdict
My favorite out of all the products—the one worked most efficiently—was Endoca’s suppository, used both vaginally and anally. However, I felt at least some minor relief from every other product. CBD suppositories might not be quite as effective with zero THC, but until I live in a place with recreational pot, it’s a decent alternative and definitely a tool I’ll keep in my menstrual self-care kit.
