By Cindy Moy Carr, founder of mySysters

Recently a new term was recognized for a range of debilitating orthopedic symptoms, “Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause” (MSM).

MSM refers to a collection of musculoskeletal symptoms many women experience during menopause due to hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen levels.

A groundbreaking study by an orthopedic surgeon and Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Central Florida School of Medicine, Dr. Vonda Wright, found eighty-percent of women in perimenopause will experience MSM, yet the symptoms are often unrecognized or misdiagnosed by healthcare providers.

MSM SYMPTOMS

MSM includes, but is not limited to:

• musculoskeletal pain,
• arthralgia,
• loss of lean muscle mass,
• loss of bone density with increased risk of resultant fracture,
• increased tendon and ligament injury,
• adhesive capsulitis and
• cartilage matrix fragility with the progression of osteoarthritis.

Joint pain, aka arthralgia, is one of the most tracked symptoms on mySysters and we’ve been writing about it on our website for years.

As Dr. Wright found in her study, women rarely find any relief when going to the doctor.

SEARCHING FOR PAIN RELIEF

Due to this, many turn to alternative remedies, such as acupuncture and CBD products.

After experiencing debilitating joint pain myself and finding no relief with traditional medicine, I spent several weeks researching CBD products.

I thought CBD meant gummies that got you high.

If that’s your jam, fine, but I need to function.

I was looking for pain relief, not escape from reality.

At the time I lived in a state where cannabis and marijuana were legalized, and I was able to have in depth consultations with a medical doctor.

He suggested topical CBD products such as serums and balms–pain relief and not mood altering.

Those products do work great for pain relief, but they are not developed for or effectively marketed to women in perimenopause.

CANNABIS V CBD V MARIJUANA

A quick note about cannabis vs CBD vs marijuana.

Cannabis is a plant.

There are two main types of cannabis plant, cannabis indica and cannabis sativa.

Marijuana can be derived from both types.

Hemp can only be derived from cannabis sativa.

The main active ingredient in hemp is CBD, one of more than two-hundred chemical compounds known as cannabinoids.

CBD does not get you high.

If that made your eyes glaze over, imagine trying to find a safe, reliable and effective CBD product.

It took me weeks of research to find a few products that worked for me.

HOW CBD INTERACTS WITH THE BODY

CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid and interacts with the Endocannabinoid System when ingested.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) helps the body maintain homeostasis, or balance, by communicating with and supporting other biological systems in the body.

The ECS regulates and balances a variety of responses in the body:

• stress,
• appetite,
• sensation,
• mood,
• energy,
• metabolism,
• skin function and more.

The ECS also can positively affect a number of functions in various parts of the skin, including the

• epidermis (skin barrier/protection, health, and appearance);
• sensory nerves (sensation);
• immune cells (immune response);
• sebaceous glands (sebum production);
• hair follicles (hair loss/growth/maintenance);
• sweat glands (sweat production).

THE 411 ON CBD

According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

The Agriculture Improvement Act was approved and signed into law by the US Congress in 2018.

With the removal of hemp from the US Controlled Substances Act, CBD that derives from hemp is now legal.

The legality of CBD products varies from state to state, however, because some states have not removed hemp off their state’s prohibited substances statutes.

The most common form of CBD is oil, but it is also offered as an extract, a vaporized liquid, and a capsule made of oil.

Among the various CBD-infused items accessible online are foods, beverages, and cosmetics.

The Food and Drug Administration has only approved Epidiolex, a prescription oil containing CBD.

It is authorized to treat two different forms of epilepsy.

State regulations on the usage of CBD differ, aside from Epidiolex.

Outside of the US, the prescription drug Sativex, which uses CBD as an active ingredient, is approved for muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and for cancer pain.

CBD can have side effects, including

• dry mouth,
• diarrhea,
• decreased appetite,
• tiredness, and
• lethargy, even though it is frequently well tolerated.

Additionally, other drugs you are taking, such blood thinners, may interact with CBD.

The unpredictability of the amount and purity of CBD in goods is an issue when buying CBD products.

More than a quarter of the CBD products tested in a recent study of 84 online-purchased CBD products contained less CBD than claimed.

THC was also discovered in 18 different goods.

Be careful not to confuse THC goods with hemp or CBD products.

One of hundreds of components in marijuana, CBD does not cause a “high” by itself.

THC-containing products have the potential to cause adverse events and psychotropic effects.

Additionally, the FDA does not regulate the majority of CBD products.

As a result, buyers need to be aware that goods with the name “hemp” or “CBD” may also include THC, pesticides, heavy metals, germs, or fungi.

Some CBD producers have come under government scrutiny for making outrageous, unjustifiable claims, like that CBD is a cure for cancer or menopause, which it is not.

If you choose to use a CBD product, be careful to purchase it from a reliable supplier.

Additionally, check with your physician to be sure it won’t interfere with any other medications you take.

OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING, ARE CBD COMPANIES LISTENING

Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM) provides a fresh opportunity for CBD companies to market to women in perimenopause and menopause.

The only question now is whether the industry is paying attention.

Cindy Moy Carr is the founder and CEO of Vorsdatter Limited which created mySysters, the world’s first mobile platform for perimenopause and menopause. She’s an attorney, journalist and author, including the ABA’s Guide to Healthcare Law. She divides her time between Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, where Vorsdatter Ltd is based, and Minneapolis, MN, where the center of the universe (aka her grandchild) resides.

mySysters is an app for women in perimenopause and menopause. It was created by Cindy Moy Carr when she needed a symptom tracker for perimenopause and found there were none. She created one for herself, her sister and their friends. Hence, mySysters. Good Housekeeping and Woman’s Day named mySysters the Best App for Women in Perimenopause and a Must Have App for Women.