Medical Cannabis and Women’s Health: Endometriosis, PMS, Sleep and Fatigue

Medical cannabis and endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. It can cause pelvic pain, painful periods, fatigue and difficulties with sleep.

Some people with endometriosis report using medicinal cannabis to help manage pain and other symptoms. A 2024 review found encouraging reports from patients, but highlighted the lack of high-quality clinical trials to confirm how effective and safe these treatments are for endometriosis-related pain. [1]

Medicinal cannabis should not be considered a cure for endometriosis or a replacement for established care. Its suitability must be assessed individually.

Can medical cannabis help with sleep disturbances?

Hormonal changes, pain and stress can all contribute to sleep difficulties. For some women, poor sleep can then worsen daytime tiredness and make existing symptoms harder to manage.

Research into medicinal cannabis and insomnia remains uncertain. A 2026 Cochrane review found that medical cannabis may have little or no meaningful benefit for insomnia, with more research needed to understand its effects and potential risks. [2]

Where sleep problems are linked to chronic pain, a prescribing doctor may consider the wider picture when discussing treatment options.

Fatigue and chronic pain

Fatigue is a common symptom of several health conditions, including endometriosis and other chronic pain disorders. It can also be associated with poor sleep, hormonal changes and some medications.

Although some patients report improvements in symptoms such as pain and sleep when using medicinal cannabis, there is not enough evidence to recommend it as a treatment for fatigue itself. THC-containing medicines can also cause drowsiness, dizziness and impaired concentration.

Persistent or unexplained fatigue should be assessed by a healthcare professional to identify any underlying cause.

What about PMS?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can involve cramps, headaches, mood changes, sleep difficulties and other symptoms in the days before a period.

Cannabinoids are being explored for their potential role in pain management, but evidence specifically supporting medicinal cannabis for PMS remains limited. Research into gynaecological pain more broadly has also highlighted the need for better-quality clinical trials. [3]

Could medicinal cannabis be an option?

At Medicann, treatment decisions are based on your individual medical history, symptoms, previous treatments and clinical needs. Medicinal cannabis is not suitable for everyone, and having one of these conditions does not automatically mean you will be eligible.

If you’re living with persistent symptoms and want to understand your options, check your eligibility with Medicann to take the first step towards an individual clinical assessment.

References

1. Cummings SC et al. Evaluating the Current Evidence for the Efficacy of Cannabis in Symptom Management of Endometriosis-Associated Pain. Interventional Medicine & Applied Science, 2024.

2. Varela LB et al. Medical cannabis for the treatment of insomnia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2026.

3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The Use of Cannabis Products for the Management of Pain Associated With Gynecologic Conditions. Clinical Consensus, 2024.