One of the target areas CBD modulates is the Endocannabinoid system (ECS) which does play a prominent role an hormonal homeostasis. The ECS is a ubiquitous cell signalling system that is involved in a wide range of physiological processes and pathological conditions including homeostasis, reproduction, cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. It is constituted by lipid messengers named endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids, the cannabinoid (CB) receptors, and the enzymes catalysing their biosynthesis and degradation.

The modulation of endocannabinoid tone is always critical in both female and male reproduction[i].

Not much in the way of clinical trials directly for CBD and menopause could be found. Symptoms of Oestrogen deficiency can vary. One approach could be to look at CBD symptom by symptom as briefly summarised below.

One epidemiological study looked at 589 Caucasian women aged 50-89 in California it looked at clustering of symptoms (and also association with oestrogen replacement therapy, by which it was found by using this type of therapy they were more likely to report symptoms)

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) such as hot flushes and night sweats are frequently encountered during menopause and can greatly reduce the quality of life. These symptoms are causally related to decreasing estradiol concentrations, mainly in the serum and subsequently also in the hypothalamic temperature regulating centre. The lack of estrogens’ alters neurotransmitter activity, especially in the serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways .

Considering Serotonergic pathway

We know CBD is an agonist at 5-HT1A receptor which plays a role in the release of serotonin :

Studies proving the same:

5-HT1A receptors are involved in the cannabidiol-induced attenuation of behavioural and cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats

The results of the above study suggest that CBD can attenuate acute autonomic responses to stress and its delayed emotional consequences by facilitating 5-HT1A receptor-mediated neurotransmission .

Male Wistar rats with cannulae aimed at the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (dlPAG) were tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the Vogel conflict test (VCT).

CBD injected into the dlPAG produced anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus maze with a bell-shaped dose-response curve. The anxiolytic effect of CBD was confirmed in the Vogel conflict test.

Conclusion: These results suggest the CBD interacts with 5HT1A receptors to produce anxiolytic effects in the dlPAG.