Not risk-free
Susan D. Reed, MD, MPH, MSCP, a professor emeritus of ob.gyn. at the University of Washington, Seattle, and president of the Menopause Society, found the study well-executed and was not surprised by how many respondents had ever used cannabis.
Dr. Susan D. Reed
“What did surprise me was that nearly a third reported daily use for at least 1 year and that 38% were medical marijuana users, not just recreational,” Dr. Reed said in an interview. The proportions of women using cannabis for menopausal symptoms or using it daily are concerning, she added.
“These individuals are at risk for dependence and health risks related to marijuana use,” Dr. Reed said. “Providers should always ask patients about OTC products, herbals, supplements, cannabis use, and alternative management of menopausal symptoms to better understand patient preferences for menopausal symptom therapies, so that treatment plans can be discussed with individual patient preferences in mind. We need to start with where the patient is coming from.”
Data presented throughout the conference has shown how people are “disillusioned with the care they are receiving for menopause,” Dr. Reed added. “It is so difficult to distinguish truth from myths based on information gained through social media, family, and friends, and that often is where most people are getting their information.”
Physicians often have not received adequate training on how to provide people with accurate information about menopause and managing menopausal symptoms, so she advises patients and physicians to visit reliable sites such as the Menopause Society, the Swan Study, and My Menoplan.
The research was funded by the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program and the Veterans Administration. Dr. Gibson has provided unpaid consultation to Astellas Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Reed has received research support from Bayer and receives royalties from UpToDate.