Women Are Inserting Cannabis-Filled Pills Into Their Vaginas 'To Prevent Period Pain'

Women Are Inserting Cannabis-Filled Pills Into Their Vaginas 'To Prevent Period Pain'

Forget ibuprofen or hot water bottles, women in America are inserting cannabis-filled suppositories into their vaginas in a quest to banish period pain.

The tampon-like products, called Foria Relief, are made from cocoa butter with 240mg of added tetrahydrocannabinol (known as THC) and 40mg of cannabidiol (CBD).

The aim is to block period pain and suppress inflammation. And no, it doesn't make you high.

The pain relief suppositories cost roughly £30 ($44) for a box of four and are currently only available to buy in American states where marijuana is legal, such as California and Colorado.

"Each serving contains a specially formulated blend of THC and CBD, cannabinoids which are known to relax muscles and release tension and cramping in the body," reads the site.

Women are encouraged to lie on their back with a pillow under their bottom. They then insert the suppository into the vagina and the cannabinoids get to work on soothing the nerve endings of the uterus, cervix and muscle tissue.

Writing about her experience of using the suppositories on Broadly, Mish Way said that within 20 minutes of inserting the product into her vagina, her cramps had "totally disappeared".

She said that she was surprised at the length of time that the pain relief lasted, as one Foria suppository "did its job well into the evening".

The founder of the product Mathew Gerson, said: "This plant medicine has a long, cross-cultural history of use as a natural aide in easing symptoms associated with menstruation.

"The pelvic region contains more cannabinoid receptors than any other part of the body except for the brain. So delivering these actives in a suppository format is a natural choice."

Of course, for women suffering period pain in the UK, it may be a while before weed suppositories are available.

Discussing her concerns about such a product, Dr Helen Webberley, the dedicated GP for Oxford Online Pharmacy, said: "In the USA all medicines, whatever route they are administered - orally as tablets, via the skin as patches or gels or as a pessary, through the vagina - have to be passed by the FDA.

"This capsule has not even been studied yet and it hasn't been passed by the FDA. The assumption is that, as cannabis can cause muscle relaxation, it may help to ease period pains."

She added: "Any medication needs to be fully evaluated for its risks and benefits before it can be classified as being safe for use. I would be very worried about women using this product before it has been fully evaluated."

It all feels very strange.

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