Justin Sinclair1, Caroline A Smith2, Jason Abbott3, K Jane Chalmers4, David W Pate1, Mike Armour5. 1. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia. 2. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia; Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia. 3. School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 4. School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia. 5. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia; Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia. Electronic address: m.armour@westernsydney.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the prevalence, tolerability, and self-reported effectiveness of cannabis in women with endometriosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October and December 2017. Recruitment targeted women with endometriosis through social media postings from endometriosis advocacy groups. Women aged 18 to 45, living in Australia, and with surgically confirmed endometriosis were eligible to participate. Survey questions investigated the types of self-management used, change in symptoms or medication use, costs, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 484 responses were included for analysis, with 76% of the women reporting the use of general self-management strategies within the last 6 months. Of those using self-management, 13% reported using cannabis for symptom management. Self-reported effectiveness in pain reduction was high (7.6 of 10), with 56% also able to reduce pharmaceutical medications by at least half. Women reported the greatest improvements in sleep and in nausea and vomiting. Adverse effects were infrequent (10%) and minor. CONCLUSION: Australian law currently requires legal medicinal cannabis use to follow specific, regulated pathways that limit prescription by this method; however, self-reported illicit use of cannabis remains relatively common in Australian women with endometriosis. Women report good efficacy of cannabis in reducing pain and other symptoms, with few adverse effects reported. Further clinical research is warranted to determine the effectiveness of cannabis in managing endometriosis symptoms. In locations where medicinal cannabis is more accessible, there remains a paucity of evidence for its clinical efficacy with endometriosis-associated symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the prevalence, tolerability, and self-reported effectiveness of cannabis in women with endometriosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October and December 2017. Recruitment targeted women with endometriosis through social media postings from endometriosis advocacy groups. Women aged 18 to 45, living in Australia, and with surgically confirmed endometriosis were eligible to participate. Survey questions investigated the types of self-management used, change in symptoms or medication use, costs, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 484 responses were included for analysis, with 76% of the women reporting the use of general self-management strategies within the last 6 months. Of those using self-management, 13% reported using cannabis for symptom management. Self-reported effectiveness in pain reduction was high (7.6 of 10), with 56% also able to reduce pharmaceutical medications by at least half. Women reported the greatest improvements in sleep and in nausea and vomiting. Adverse effects were infrequent (10%) and minor. CONCLUSION: Australian law currently requires legal medicinal cannabis use to follow specific, regulated pathways that limit prescription by this method; however, self-reported illicit use of cannabis remains relatively common in Australian women with endometriosis. Women report good efficacy of cannabis in reducing pain and other symptoms, with few adverse effects reported. Further clinical research is warranted to determine the effectiveness of cannabis in managing endometriosis symptoms. In locations where medicinal cannabis is more accessible, there remains a paucity of evidence for its clinical efficacy with endometriosis-associated symptoms.
Authors: Justin Sinclair; Yasmine Toufaili; Sarah Gock; Amanda G Pegorer; Jordan Wattle; Martin Franke; Muayed A K M Alzwayid; Jason Abbott; David W Pate; Jerome Sarris; Mike Armour Journal: Cannabis Cannabinoid Res Date: 2021-12-31
Authors: Antoine Asselin; Olivier Beauparlant Lamarre; Richard Chamberland; Sarah-Jeanne McNeil; Eric Demers; Arsène Zongo Journal: J Cannabis Res Date: 2022-05-26
Authors: Mathew Leonardi; Andrew W Horne; Katy Vincent; Justin Sinclair; Kerry A Sherman; Donna Ciccia; George Condous; Neil P Johnson; Mike Armour Journal: Hum Reprod Open Date: 2020-06-01
Authors: Justin Sinclair; Susanne Armour; Jones Asafo Akowuah; Andrew Proudfoot; Mike Armour Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-29 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Dena Zeraatkar; Matthew Adam Cooper; Arnav Agarwal; Robin W M Vernooij; Gareth Leung; Kevin Loniewski; Jared E Dookie; Muhammad Muneeb Ahmed; Brian Y Hong; Chris Hong; Patrick Hong; Rachel Couban; Thomas Agoritsas; Jason W Busse Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-08-04 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Mike Armour; Jodie Avery; Mathew Leonardi; Leesa Van Niekerk; Marilla L Druitt; Melissa A Parker; Jane E Girling; Brett McKinnon; Antonina Mikocka-Walus; Cecilia H M Ng; Rebecca O'Hara; Donna Ciccia; Katherine Stanley; Subhadra Evans Journal: Reprod Fertil Date: 2022-06-30
Authors: Justin Sinclair; Laura Collett; Jason Abbott; David W Pate; Jerome Sarris; Mike Armour Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-10-26 Impact factor: 3.240