Survey study, 2017
Do women believe cannabis helps their PMS or PMDD symptoms?
Yes, women who use cannabis for PMS or PMDD believe it reduces most of their symptoms. However, very little research exists on whether it actually works or is safe.
What they did
Researchers surveyed 145 women online who reported having PMS or PMDD and had used cannabis. They asked about their cannabis use frequency, symptoms, and whether they expected cannabis to help their symptoms.
What they found
Women believed cannabis would relieve most PMS and PMDD symptoms except overeating and food cravings. Women with stronger expectations about cannabis helping used it more often and reported more symptoms.
What it means for you
Women are using cannabis for PMS and PMDD based on their beliefs about its effects, but we do not yet know if it actually works or is safe. The main limit is this was a very small study of only women who already use cannabis, so we cannot tell whether cannabis is effective for PMS or PMDD.
145
women with PMS or PMDD using cannabis
About the study
- Original title
- Cannabis and symptoms of PMS and PMDD
- Authors
- Melissa N. Slavin, Eliza Barach, Stacey L. Farmer et al.
- Journal
- Addiction Research & Theory
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 145
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2017.1294165
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2026
What life and psychological factors are linked to PMS and PMDD?
Case-control study, 2019
Is smoking linked to higher risk of PMS or PMDD?
Case-control study, 2009
Does alcohol use increase the risk of developing PMS or PMDD?
Review, 2000
What conditions beyond depression can antidepressants treat?
Survey study, 2026
What substances do people use to manage premenstrual symptoms?
Survey study, 2025
What lifestyle and body composition factors are associated with PMS in young women?