Can CBD be helpful when trying to get pregnant?
The situation is getting worse
To properly understand what infertility is, it is necessary to delve into the numbers. The WHO considers sterility to be a condition in which a woman does not become pregnant with regular unprotected intercourse twice a week for one year. Age, of course, also plays an important role. The chances decrease sharply with age. Between the ages of twenty and twenty-two, the probability is almost 100 per cent, ten years later it is only a third, at thirty-five the chance of pregnancy is around 11 per cent and for women in their forties it is only 3 per cent. Across Europe, one in five couples is currently childless, and up to 15% of these are involuntary (sterile). For 30 per cent the problem is with the man, for more than 55 per cent with the woman. These are relatively high figures, which are unfortunately on the rise.
Problems with conception represent a huge hit especially for the human psyche. The persistent effort can negatively affect partner life, induce stress and anxiety or upset the hormonal balance. Even so, everyone tries to cope with infertility in their own way (in addition to prescribed medication) and looks for different methods to help the body.
These include methods such as:
- Acupuncture
- Hypnosis
- Essential oils
- Meditation
- Detox and dietary modification
More and more people are interested in the possible effects and benefits of cannabidiol. Currently, it is a raw material that is not being used sparingly and the range of products is constantly expanding. These include oils, capsules, sprays suitable for reflux, patches, lubricating gels, chewing gum, massage gels, creams, perfumes, suppositories and confectionery. CBD thus gives the impression that it can be helpful in overcoming any health obstacle. On the other hand, there are concerns as to whether CBD, as a substance that has been declared safe by the WHO itself and whose positive effects have been suggested by numerous studies and user reviews, is suitable for women struggling with conception problems.
THC at gunpoint
Previous research has shown that THC use is not appropriate for women trying to conceive. This psychoactive compound can slow down the entire process of pregnancy, negatively affect fetal development in the first trimester or even induce miscarriage. There is also a problem on the men's side. According to this study, they have up to 28% lower sperm concentration with regular marijuana use, which significantly reduces the chances of a woman becoming pregnant.
Is CBD suitable?
Cannabidiol is one of the cannabinoid compounds that has been the focus of more research in recent years. This is gradually revealing more and more possible effects such as relieving anxiety and better stress management, faster recovery after injury or sports performance, increased libido, reduction of chronic pain and inflammation, positive effects on the vascular and digestive systems, hormones and insomnia.
However, CBD use during pregnancy is not recommended by experts. One of the main reasons is the lack of data and therefore uncertainty about safety. So far, tests have only been carried out on animals or on a very small sample of patients. In addition, cannabidiol can relax muscles and prevent contractions or cause nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. These are problems that can be quite limiting even when trying to conceive. Not to mention the possible contamination with substances such as heavy metals or pesticides and fungi that the cannabis plant may come into contact with during cultivation or production, getting into the product itself and causing health complications for the woman.
It might seem that CBD is safe and harmless, and its pros far outweigh its potential negatives, but any decision to use it regularly should be preceded by a consultation with a doctor. Couples trying to conceive, however, should temporarily forget about the possibility of boosting the body with cannabidiol. Neither the effects nor the risks are known, and there has been no research to test the true impact of CBD. And it is better to be cautious and avoid controversial substances - even if they may prove beneficial in the future - during sensitive periods. The body is undergoing a challenging mental and physical transformation, and it is likely that a woman is taking powerful pregnancy-enhancing drugs that can themselves cause a host of side effects and, when combined with CBD, cause numerous contraindications. It is not just about the woman and her body and the proper functioning of the organism, but also about the creation and development of a new life.
One of the studies against CBD during the period when you are trying for a baby revealed that higher levels of anandamide (a typical phenomenon with regular intake of cannabidiol, as cannabidiol slows its breakdown) inhibit embryonic development.
Summary
CBD can positively affect the human body and support its functions in many ways, but you should avoid it when trying for a baby. So far, no research or studies have come to a conclusion that gives the green light to the use of cannabidiol during this period. The risks of a woman's body reacting to CBD intake and possibly affecting fetal development outweigh the possible beneficial effects.
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