Women’s health has historically been under-researched, underfunded, and too often dismissed. From painful periods to endometriosis, anxiety to menopause, many women are told their symptoms are “normal” and sent home without real solutions.

 

Realm of Caring, alongside Goldstein Wellness, had the honor of co-hosting an important and timely conversation: “Breaking the Silence: Evidence-Based Cannabis Medicine for Women.” We were joined by special guests Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein, creators of the groundbreaking documentary Weed the People, physician and pioneer Bonni Goldstein, MD, and Lisa Williams, CEO of Hello Again. Together we explored science, stigma, and lived experience at the intersection of cannabis and women’s health.

 

The message was clear: women are already using cannabis and science is beginning to catch up.

 

From Stigma to Science

 

Ricki Lake reflected on her own evolution in perspective, one that resonates with many of us:

 

“I was the most fear-filled, judgmental, anti-drug person you would meet… I was so close-minded to the idea of cannabis being a medicine.”

 

Her shift came through personal experience and witnessing families seeking alternatives when conventional medicine fell short. This journey ultimately led to Weed the People and a deeper relationship with Dr. Goldstein’s work.

 

Abby Epstein highlighted just how far the conversation has come:

 

“When we started making Weed the People, medical doctors were terrified to touch this… There was a risk of losing your license. It’s really come so far.”

 

And yet, for women’s health in particular, we still have ground to cover.

 

The Missing Piece: The Endocannabinoid System

 

Dr. Goldstein grounded the discussion in physiology, specifically the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a master regulatory network discovered in the late 1980s that helps maintain balance (homeostasis) across nearly every system in the body.

 

As she explained:

 

“We make inner cannabis compounds in our cells. That’s why when we take this plant, our bodies know what to do with it.”

 

The ECS plays a role in:

 

• Hormonal balance
• Pain signaling
• Mood regulation
• Immune function
• Sleep cycles
• Reproductive health 

When this system becomes dysregulated due to stress, chronic inflammation, or hormonal shifts, symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, pelvic pain, and mood instability can emerge.

 

Cannabinoids from the plant don’t override the body, Dr. Goldstein emphasized. Instead:

 

“Plant medicine nudges you in the right direction. You’re asking a plant to help change your chemistry. And that takes time.”

 

What the Research Shows

 

Although women have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials, emerging research is promising.

 

Menstrual Pain & Dysmenorrhea

 

In a study of women using broad-spectrum CBD suppositories for menstrual pain:

 

• 73% reported moderate or greater improvement after one month
• 81% reported improvement after two months
• Many reduced their use of conventional pain medications 

Dr. Goldstein emphasized a key takeaway:

 

“We treat the patient, not the diagnosis.”

 

Even women with similar symptoms may respond differently to cannabinoid ratios and dosing.

 

Endometriosis & Chronic Pelvic Pain

 

Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and often goes undiagnosed for years. It involves inflammation, immune dysregulation, and amplified nerve pain, which are all processes influenced by the endocannabinoid system.

 

Across multiple international surveys:

 

• 61–96% of women with gynecologic pain reported meaningful relief with cannabis
• Many reduced pharmaceutical use
• Reported side effects were generally mild 

For many, cannabis was explored because conventional treatments were insufficient.

 

Anxiety, Sleep & Stress

 

In nearly every patient survey, anxiety, sleep, and pain rank among the top three reasons for cannabis use.

 

Dr. Goldstein shared personally:

 

“It wasn’t until cannabis came into my life that I was able to sleep through the night. It felt like a miracle but really, my endocannabinoid system was totally out of balance.”

 

Chronic stress and poor sleep can deplete the ECS. Supporting this system may help restore resilience, especially during hormonally intense life stages like perimenopause and menopause.

 

Sexual Health & Menopause

 

One of the most discussed  (and often least discussed) topics of the evening was sexual health.

Multiple studies suggest that women who use cannabis before intimacy report:

 

• Increased desire
• More intense orgasms
• Reduced performance anxiety
• Greater overall satisfaction 

As Dr. Goldstein noted, cannabis may:

 

• Reduce intrusive thoughts
• Increase body awareness
• Enhance relaxation and emotional connection 

During menopause, when libido and comfort can shift dramatically, this may be particularly meaningful.

 

Why This Conversation Matters

 

Lisa Williams described her personal experience opening with being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome at 21 years old:

 

“I’ve had so many problems throughout my female wellness health journey. I wish that I knew more about cannabis as medicine.”

 

Once Lisa was introduced to vaginal suppositories as a therapeutic option, she notes that she “started to feel like herself again”. 

 

For generations, women have been told to tolerate pain, mood swings, insomnia, and discomfort as simply part of being female.

 

But as Abby Epstein shared:

 

“Women are finding it anyway. Women are smart that way.”

 

The shift happening now is not just cultural, it’s scientific. We are finally examining the mechanisms behind why cannabinoids may support menstrual health, pelvic pain, sleep, anxiety, and sexual well-being.

 

And most importantly, we are centering women’s voices in that research.

 

Watch & Share the Full Webinar

 

If you missed the live conversation or want to revisit the science and stories shared you can watch the full recording here.

 

Please share with a friend, colleague, or loved one who may benefit. Breaking the silence starts with conversation and informed conversation starts with evidence.

 

At Realm of Caring, we remain committed to free, science-backed education and support for individuals exploring cannabinoid therapy.

 

Because women deserve more than dismissal. They deserve options.

 

Get Involved: Support Research That Centers Women

 

Advancing evidence-based cannabis medicine requires more than conversation; it requires data, transparency, and community participation.

 

Realm of Caring is actively building the research base for cannabinoid therapy through patient-reported outcomes, observational studies, and education initiatives designed to close the gap between lived experience and clinical science.

 

You can help move this work forward:

 

• Participate in research studies to contribute your real-world experience with cannabinoid therapy
• Explore our Research Library for peer-reviewed studies, published findings, and data summaries
• Share your story to help reduce stigma and expand access 

When women participate in research, the science gets stronger and future patients benefit.

 

Trusted Education & Formulations: Goldstein Wellness

 

For those seeking clinician-informed formulations, our guest expert Dr. Bonni Goldstein has created Goldstein Wellness, which provides free medical cannabis education to licensed healthcare clinicians and a curated hemp product marketplace that provides medical discounts to patients. 

 

Their marketplace was created to reflect Dr. Goldstein’s philosophy: quality products, thoughtful formulations, transparency, and patient-centered care.