Medicinal Cannabis in Women’s Health

This book explores the scientific evidence for the medical use of cannabis in the treatment of common conditions affecting women. This book explores the scientific evidence for the medical use of cannabis in the treatment of common conditions affecting women. It canvasses the current state of scientific research into medicinal cannabis for the treatment of these conditions and includes case studies to illustrate how it may be used in clinical practice. The volume is set out in nine chapters. The first chapter introduces the book and discusses some of the history of medicinal cannabis in women’s health and the prohibition of cannabis in the US, the evidence-based medicine approach, and types of research designs. Chapter 2 discusses the endocannabinoid system, the key constituents of cannabis and their therapeutic actions, forms of medicinal cannabis, routes of delivery, and safety aspects associated with medicinal cannabis. Chapters 3 through 8 cover medical conditions that commonly impact women, including stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, primary dysmenorrhea, menopause symptoms, including insomnia, and osteoarthritis. The structure of each of these chapters follows a similar pattern: a description of the condition, its prevalence, impact and comorbidities, and a brief description of pathophysiology and current treatments. The authors then discuss how the endocannabinoid system is involved, and the scientific evidence that medicinal cannabis may be efficacious. Each chapter closes with a case study. Chapter 9 focuses on some of the clinical issues that are important to consider in treating women and what is needed in terms of research. Medicinal Cannabis in Women’s Health: An Evidence-Based Clinician’s Guide will be of great interest to medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare practitioners who prescribe medicinal cannabis, are considering prescribing medical cannabis, or simply want to be informed about the evidence base of its use in common conditions facing women. This book explores the scientific evidence for the medical use of cannabis in the treatment of common conditions affecting women. Drawing on their experience and knowledge in research and clinical practice, this book by Dr Kylie O’Brien and Dr Carolyn Bosak has been written to assist healthcare professionals to become more informed about the potential role of medicinal cannabis in women’s healthcare, within the context of an integrative approach to treatment. The book sets out the rationale for why medicinal cannabis may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, depression, chronic pelvic pain, primary dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, menopause symptoms, and osteoarthritis. Early chapters explain the important roles of the endocannabinoid system in the functioning of our mind-body and delves into what medicinal cannabis encompasses, including key components, mechanisms of action and safety aspects. The clinical chapters explore each of the above-mentioned conditions, including known pathophysiology and changes in the endocannabinoid system, and examine the current state of scientific research into medicinal cannabis for their treatment. Clinical chapters also include case studies to illustrate how medicinal cannabis may be used in clinical practice. The final chapter provides guidance on how medicinal cannabis may be integrated into a holistic treatment approach as well as commentary on research issues in this field. Despite the growing interest in the medical use of cannabis by consumers, women in particular, there has been relatively little published in the form of books about the potential use of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of conditions affecting women. This book helps fill that gap. Medicinal Cannabis in Women’s Health: An Evidence-Based Clinician’s Guide will be of great interest to medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare practitioners who are prescribing medicinal cannabis, considering prescribing it or simply want to be informed about the evidence base of its use in common conditions facing women.