CBD Tampons Show Early Potential for Period Pain
A small 2023 clinical study found that cannabidiol-infused tampons may reduce pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea, or period cramps. The results are encouraging, but they do not yet establish CBD tampons as a proven alternative to standard treatments.
The study, published in the Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders, followed 63 participants across three consecutive menstrual cycles. Participants were randomly assigned to use either a CBD-infused tampon or a placebo tampon and reported their pain and satisfaction using a modified 1-to-10 pain scale. In total, 114 people were screened and 83 were considered eligible.
Researchers reported statistically significant pain reductions during the first and third months of the study. Fewer than 5 percent of participants reported irritation they attributed to the CBD tampon, while 37 to 40 percent said the product improved vaginal dryness. Two participants experienced vertigo, which resolved after the tampon was removed.
The researchers proposed that cannabinoids could influence pain signaling in reproductive tissues through the endocannabinoid system, including CB1 and CB2 receptors. However, the study did not directly compare the product with commonly used anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. It therefore cannot show that CBD tampons work better than, or cause fewer side effects than, those medications.
The findings also need to be interpreted in light of the study’s limitations. The sample was small, the outcomes were based largely on participants’ self-reported experiences, and the follow-up covered only three menstrual cycles. In addition, the product was developed by Daye, the company associated with the study. The authors’ affiliations included Anne’s Day Ltd, the company behind the product, making independent replication particularly important.
For now, established treatments remain the better-supported options for painful periods. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists lists nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a common first-line treatment and notes that hormonal contraceptives may also reduce menstrual pain. Severe, worsening, or treatment-resistant cramps can sometimes signal conditions such as endometriosis and should be evaluated by a health care professional.
CBD products also have broader safety uncertainties. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that CBD may affect the liver, cause side effects, and interact with other medications. Much less is known about how CBD delivered through a tampon is absorbed or how repeated vaginal use may affect different people. Consumers should not assume that a product is risk-free simply because it is used locally or does not contain THC.
The study provides an early signal that CBD-infused tampons could help some people with primary dysmenorrhea, particularly when comfort and vaginal dryness are concerns. Larger, independently funded trials with longer follow-up, clearer pain measurements, and direct comparisons with existing treatments are needed before the product’s effectiveness and safety can be determined with confidence.
