A US study examining data from 5,000 midlife women has revealed that over 40% had used cannabis at some point, whether for recreational or therapeutic reasons.
The leading motivations for use included chronic pain (28%), anxiety (24%), sleep difficulties (22%), and stress (22%).
Among those who turned to cannabis specifically for menopause-related symptoms — accounting for 6% of participants — the primary targets were mood disturbances and sleep problems associated with menopause.
Over 10% of participants had consumed cannabis within the previous 30 days, with smoking (56%), edible products (52%), and combinations of multiple forms (39%) being the most common methods.
Of those who had used cannabis in the past month, 31% said they smoked on a daily or near-daily basis, while 19% reported the same frequency with edible products.
The findings are set to be presented at the 2023 annual meeting of The Menopause Society, taking place this week in Philadelphia.
Lead author and health services researcher at the University of California Dr Carolyn Gibson said: "We know that cannabis products are being marketed to women to manage menopause symptoms, and these findings suggest midlife women are turning to cannabis for menopause symptoms and other common issues in the menopause transition.
"But we still do not know if use is actually helping for those symptoms, or if it may be contributing to other challenges."
Medical director for The Menopause Society Dr Stephanie Faubion added: "These findings highlight the need for recognising and discussing cannabis use in the healthcare setting. Additional research is needed to evaluate the potential harms and/or benefits of use."