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Of surveyed medical cannabis users during perimenopause or postmenopause reported sleep improvement. Menopause
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
What is the menopause?
The menopause is when hormone levels fall and periods stop, marking the natural end of the reproductive years. The years of changing symptoms leading up to it are known as the perimenopause.
Common symptoms include hot flushes, mood swings, anxiety, brain fog, disturbed sleep and irregular periods. For some people these symptoms are mild, while for others they significantly affect daily life.
Recognising the impact
Common menopause symptoms
Symptoms differ widely from person to person and can change over time.
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Mood swings, anxiety or low mood
- Difficulty sleeping
- Problems with memory and concentration (brain fog)
- Irregular periods
- Joint aches and reduced energy
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
Menopause care is tailored to symptoms and personal choice. Recognised options include:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including oestrogen and progesterone
- Testosterone in selected cases under specialist guidance
- Non-hormonal medicines such as gabapentin or clonidine for some symptoms
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for mood and sleep
- Lifestyle measures and support
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If menopause symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with menopause-related symptoms?
HRT and recognised menopause care come first. Medical cannabis does not treat the menopause itself; a specialist may only review whether it could support specific symptoms such as sleep, discomfort or mood.
THC and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is involved in mood, sleep, pain and temperature regulation. This is why researchers continue to study whether cannabis-based medicines may help with some menopause-related symptoms.
For adults whose menopause symptoms still disrupt sleep, mood, work or daily comfort after conventional options, a doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can review whether a prescription may be suitable.
Where menopause symptoms continue to affect daily life, a doctor on the GMC Specialist Register reviews your symptoms, history and goals to consider whether a prescription may be appropriate alongside recognised options such as HRT. Effects can vary, so specialist guidance is key.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Developing evidence (symptom relief)
Evidence for cannabis-based medicines in menopause is still developing and does not replace HRT. Any consideration relates to specific symptoms such as sleep, discomfort or mood.
- HRT and recognised menopause care remain first-line where appropriate.
- Medical cannabis does not treat the menopause itself.
- Any role focuses on specific symptoms, reviewed individually.
Related support
Explore related menopause support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Questions
Menopause FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for menopause-related symptoms in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018, but only a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe it, and only when it is clinically appropriate. Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription.
Can medical cannabis help with menopause symptoms?
For some people, medical cannabis may help with specific menopause symptoms such as sleep disruption or discomfort, but it does not treat the menopause itself or replace recognised options such as HRT. A specialist assesses whether a prescription is clinically appropriate.
Is cannabis legal in the UK?
Prescription cannabis-based products for medicinal use have had a legal prescribing route in the UK since 1 November 2018. Recreational cannabis remains illegal, and a legal medicine must be prescribed for you and used exactly as directed.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Do I need a GP referral?
No GP referral is needed to start an eligibility check. Sharing your medical records helps the specialist review your history and current medicines, and we can keep your GP informed if you wish.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.