Last updated: October 2026
There’s no clinical trial of CBD for menopause yet, so it isn’t proven to help with hot flushes, sleep or mood. Surveys show many women try cannabis products during menopause, mostly for sleep, but surveys can’t show whether they work. HRT and CBT are the NHS-recommended treatments. Some women use CBD as part of an evening wind-down routine.
Below: what the research shows, how CBD fits alongside HRT, safety and interactions, how to choose a CBD oil, and what else can help.
Does CBD help with menopause? The research
| Study | What it found |
|---|---|
| US survey, 2022 (258 women using cannabis) | Most used it for menopause symptoms, most often sleep problems (67%) and mood or anxiety (46%) |
| Canadian survey, 2023 (1,485 women aged 35+) | 34% currently used cannabis, mainly for sleep (65%), anxiety (45%) and aches (33%); 74% of users said it was helpful |
| Clinical trials of CBD for menopause | None published yet |
These surveys mostly involved cannabis containing THC, not CBD on its own, and people who answer are usually those who already like it. The researchers themselves call for proper trials. So CBD isn’t proven for menopause symptoms, and anyone who says it is has gone beyond the evidence.
Symptom by symptom
| Symptom | CBD evidence | What has better evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hot flushes and night sweats | None in people | HRT; CBT; non-hormonal medicines from your GP |
| Poor sleep | Small, mixed studies in general populations, not menopause. See CBD for sleep | HRT if night sweats wake you; CBT for insomnia; a cool bedroom |
| Low mood and anxiety | No menopause trials. See can menopause cause anxiety? | HRT; CBT; exercise; your GP |
| Joint and muscle aches | Little evidence. See CBD for joint pain | Exercise; strength training; your GP |
Can you take CBD with HRT?
No studies have looked at CBD and HRT together. CBD is processed by the same liver enzymes as many medicines, including oestrogen, so an interaction is possible in theory. If you use HRT or any other medicine, check with your GP or pharmacist before adding CBD, and start low. See CBD and medication.
CBD is not a replacement for HRT. If symptoms are affecting your life, it’s worth talking to your GP about treatment.
Safety and side effects
- Common side effects: tiredness, diarrhoea and changes in appetite, mostly at high doses. See CBD side effects.
- Liver: very high doses can raise liver enzymes. Tell your GP if you have liver problems.
- Medicines: check first if you take blood thinners, antidepressants, epilepsy medicines or HRT.
- THC: choose broad spectrum or isolate if you want to avoid it, for example because of drug testing at work.
The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
How to choose and use a CBD oil
- Batch lab report showing the CBD content and THC level. Ours are available on request: see our lab testing page.
- Broad spectrum if you want no detectable THC. See full spectrum vs broad spectrum.
- No medical claims on the label or website. Brands claiming CBD treats menopause are breaking UK advertising rules.
- Start low and keep a simple sleep diary for two to three weeks so you can judge honestly. See how much CBD to take.
- Evenings suit most people, as part of a wind-down routine.
Magnesium is another popular evening option, and it contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. See magnesium for menopause.
What the NHS and NICE recommend
- HRT is the main treatment for menopause symptoms.
- CBT is offered for hot flushes and night sweats, and NICE also recommends it for sleep problems and low mood linked to menopause.
- Other medicines, such as clonidine or some antidepressants, if HRT isn’t suitable.
- Things you can do yourself: regular exercise, a healthy weight, less alcohol and caffeine, and not smoking.
The NHS also warns that herbal and complementary remedies can interact with other medicines. Speak to your GP if symptoms are affecting your daily life. If broken sleep is the main problem, see perimenopause and sleep.
FAQs
Does CBD help with menopause?
It isn’t proven. There are no clinical trials yet, only surveys of women using cannabis products, which can’t show whether they work.
Can CBD help with hot flushes?
There’s no evidence that it does. HRT, CBT and some non-hormonal medicines have the best evidence for hot flushes.
Can I take CBD with HRT?
It hasn’t been studied. An interaction is possible in theory, so check with your GP or pharmacist first and start low.
Is CBD safe during perimenopause?
CBD is generally well tolerated by healthy adults. Check first if you take any medicines, and keep doses sensible.
What is the best CBD for menopause?
No product is proven for menopause. Choose a lab-tested broad spectrum oil with no medical claims, and use it as part of an evening routine.
Is magnesium or CBD better for menopause?
Neither is proven for menopause symptoms. Magnesium contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue; CBD has no authorised health claims.
Sources
- Dahlgren MK et al. A survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause. Menopause, 2022.
- Babyn K et al. Cannabis use for menopause in women aged 35 and over: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open, 2023.
- NHS. Treatment for menopause and perimenopause.
- NICE. Menopause: identification and management (NG23).
