Medical Cannabis for Gynecologic Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review
ReviewHumansWith Reviewed studies included PEA-combination medicines (partners not named in the abstract) alongside cannabis products
This study tested palmitoylethanolamide together with Reviewed studies included PEA-combination medicines (partners not named in the abstract) alongside cannabis products. Its results cannot be assigned to palmitoylethanolamide alone. More combination studies.
- Design
- Review
- Subjects
- 16 studies of non-pregnant adult women with gynaecological pain, from 5,189 articles screened
- Dose used in the study
- THC and CBD up to 70 mg and 2,000 mg respectively in cannabis studies; PEA doses not stated
- Duration
- Pain outcome after 3 months of treatment in the PEA studies
- What was measured
- Patterns of cannabis use and pain relief for chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis and malignancy; pain outcomes in PEA-combination studies.
What the authors reported
The review found:
- Cannabis use prevalence was 13% to 27%, and 61% to 95.5% of users reported pain relief.
- All six prospective cohort studies and one RCT of PEA-combination medicines reported significant pain relief, with an average pain decrease of 3.35 plus or minus 1.39 on a 10-point scale after 3 months.
- One FAAH inhibitor RCT did not reduce pain.
Limits of this study
A systematic review of mixed study types; the authors say varying formulations, delivery methods and doses prevent a definitive statement. Most PEA evidence came from cohort studies, and the partner compounds are not named in the abstract. One author holds investments in a cannabis exchange-traded fund.
Source
PubMed 35104069 · doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004656
Entry checked against the abstract on PubMed on 2026-09-22. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.