Unlocking the Potential of Medicinal Cannabis in Women’s Health
Interview with Cannim’s Melanie Wentzel and Michael Zikaras
Read time: 7-8 mins
Building the Evidence Base for Prescribing Medical Cannabis in Women's Health: A look at Australia's groundbreaking studies addressing period pain and menopause symptoms.
Key Takeaways
Cannim are conducting Australia's first comprehensive clinical research focusing specifically on women's health conditions, including primary dysmenorrhea (period pain) and menopause-related sleep disturbances.
The studies are observational, longitudinal research conducted in partnership with National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at Western Sydney University.
The research addresses a critical gap in evidence-based treatments for conditions affecting millions of women in Australia and around the world.
Recruitment remains open for both studies, with participants receiving clinical oversight and access to formulated medicinal cannabis products.
When The Insider’s Extract caught up with Mike and Mel from Cannim, it was clear we were speaking with two people driving real, thoughtful change. Their commitment to women’s health, through rigorous cannabis research, is not just professional; it’s deeply personal.
“We, hand on heart, believe women’s health conditions are probably one of the most underserved medical areas out there. And we want to change that. We want to contribute to changing that through creating awareness and really understanding where the benefits of using medicinal cannabis for females exist,” - Mike
With two pioneering studies underway, exploring cannabis for period pain and menopause-related sleep disturbance, Cannim, under their research arm the Lumir Mission and National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at Western Sydney University are helping to build the evidence base Australia (and the world) has been waiting for.
These studies are generating crucial evidence for medicinal cannabis applications in women's health, and we’ll be tracking these studies closely as results emerge. The long-overdue insights into how women are using cannabis for unique female symptoms, and where it can make a real difference.
The Historical Context: Women and Cannabis
There’s a historical and cultural thread linking women and cannabis use. Historical evidence shows that women have been utilising cannabis for health purposes for over 5,000 years. From Egyptian goddess Seshat, depicted with a cannabis leaf, to Queen Victoria’s cannabis prescription for menstrual pain - women have long applied medicinal cannabis for relief, but modern medicine hasn't caught up.
“In Norse tradition, women used cannabis to worship Freya... the first vaginal pessaries came from ancient Egypt,” explains Melanie. “It’s only in the last 100 years that stigma, particularly targeting and over-sexualising women, compounded shame around cannabis and women's health concerns.”
This historical context becomes relevant when considering the persistent gaps in contemporary cannabis care, especially as it relates to women. These gaps are compounded by the lack of investment, research, and focus on women’s health more broadly, and add a layer of significance to these ongoing studies.
Two Studies Underway: Understanding the Research Focus
Primary Dysmenorrhea: Addressing the Treatment Gap
Primary dysmenorrhea is plainly known as period pain. Despite affecting the majority of menstruating women, there remains no established first-line treatment protocol. Current management typically relies on over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen, hormonal oral contraceptives, and a “hot water bottle and good luck” approach. These strategies might take the edge of mild cramps, but are grossly inadequate for the kind of debilitating pain many women endure monthly.
Study Type: Prospective, observational study
Participants: Women aged 20+
Duration: 6 months
Focus: Period pain without an underlying cause (e.g. no Endometriosis diagnosis). Premenstrual and period pain, back pain, bloating, fatigue, and use patterns
“We're capturing how women really use medical cannabis in the real world… Is there a change in the duration of menstrual pain? Are there differences for those who only took cannabis when they had breakthrough pain compared with those who used throughout the month or only during the luteal phase? We're looking at quality of life. We're looking at change in menstrual flow - that's a really interesting one.” - Mel
The significance of this research becomes apparent when considering that women begin experiencing these symptoms in their early teens, potentially continuing for decades. The absence of effective, evidence-based treatments represents a substantial healthcare gap that impacts quality of life, workplace productivity, and overall wellbeing for millions of women.
"The challenge of recruiting for this study in particular is that for so long women have been socialised to just accept period pain as normal - and it's not! Further, because women who experience period pain (already a taboo topic) for a few days a month dont feel it's worth worrying about "until next month", because there is already "so much else to do" for example. But the time has come to reprioritise womens healthcare and to help create a future where our daughters dont simply accept recurring chronic pelvic pain as normal, and where they are enabled with a range of pain management options". - Mel
So far, 26 women complete the study, there are currently four enrolled. The team are seeking another 35 participants, ideally with ten of whom would be Sydney based.
Menopause: Limited Options for Complex Symptoms
Menopause presents another area where treatment options remain limited. Whilst hormone replacement therapy exists, access in Australia typically requires women to be over 50 years of age, despite perimenopause symptoms often beginning in the early to mid-40s. This creates a significant treatment gap for women experiencing menopausal symptoms but falling outside eligibility criteria for conventional treatment.
Study Type: Prospective, observational study
Participants: Women aged 45-65 years old. Experiencing menopause – peri-menopause through to post-menopause.
Duration: 6 months
Focus: sleep disturbances: getting to sleep, staying asleep, or both.
“We’re not just throwing high THC at sleep issues, we’re looking for specifics,” Mike notes. “We’re looking at specific cannabinoids, CBN that we know, through other studies and hearsay, has a very positive impact on sleep.”
There are very few other 'menopause management' options, in part because there are a range of symptoms and each woman has a unique constellation. In practice this means women are having to use a variety of interventions to manage their sleep, mood, hot flashes, weight gain, skin changes, and so on.
“We know that cannabis,in supporting homeostasis, can address a number of these symptoms at once, reducing the management burden at a time when women can and should be feeling freer socially, professionally, and within themselves.” - Mel
Comprehensive Data Collection
Both studies are conducted in partnership with NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University. This academic collaboration strives for rigorous methodology and ethical oversight to produce credible outcomes that will contribute meaningfully to the global evidence base.
“We want to truly contribute to the evidence base in Australia and globally. We want this data to stand up to scrutiny. We’re taking the null hypothesis approach, expecting no change, and letting the data speak for itself.” - Mel
Participants undergo pathology testing at prior, at the midpoint and at the end of the study, as well as medical screening before enrolment. For many people already using cannabis for medical reasons, a conservative eight-week cannabis washout period is required.
Mel commends those women braving a symptom resurgence during the washout period. For someone finding relief with cannabis to go without it for two months to sit the study, shows a profound support to helping build the evidence base, or even socialising the idea that cannabis might be effective for their condition.
Questionnaires and product logs keep score of participants' symptoms and medical cannabis usage patterns. Even though formal data analysis is still underway, early patient feedback has been encouraging.
“There’s one specific strain we’re using in the PD study that’s getting incredibly positive feedback,” says Mike. “We’re already seeing signs that the ‘right strain, right dose, right time, right patient’ model is working.”
Overcoming Research Challenges
Recruitment Innovation
Recruiting participants for cannabis research isn’t easy, especially when stigma, legality, and misinformation continue to loom large in the public and medical colleges.
“We’re asking women who may already be getting relief from cannabis to stop using it for eight weeks. That’s a huge ask,” says Mel. “But we’ve had volunteers. That’s how committed some women are to advancing this field.”
Other participants are completely inexperienced with any form of cannabis, this offers a wonderful to see women open up to traditional plant medicines. Mel notes that these participants often experience the greatest impact because these medicines are new to them, and they have the opportunity to experience them in a structured and supportive environment.
Mel runs over ten concurrent recruitment strategies: from social media campaigns and mainstream healthcare partnerships to community outreach in women’s groups. This multi-faceted approach reflects the complexity of reaching women who might benefit from cannabis research, whilst helping to dissolve stigma and misconceptions.
Despite all this, the key to her approach is building genuine relationships.
“You can’t go in with a transactional mindset,” Mel says. “It’s about value exchange, trust, and doing good, together.”
Addressing Misconceptions & Patient Concerns
Common misconceptions encountered during recruitment include concerns about workplace policies, driving regulations, and childcare responsibilities. The research team addresses these through educational conversations, policy development assistance, and clear communication about product selection to minimise impairment whilst maintaining therapeutic benefits.
The key patient concerns and barrier to recruitment has driving restrictions. Potential loss of license and drug driving charges is unfortunately, still the case in all states. Mel shares this is an understandable reason to opt out.
“For both studies we have introduced a CBD isolate oil to the formulary to ensure that even those who are THC averse can participate. This will give us critical data to compare to those using full-spectrum (THC inclusive) medicines during the study. We are working hard to remove participation barriers for women, and to enable these studies to be impactful for all women.”
From MPs to everyday Australians, cannabis in women's health raises some pointy questions. Mel and Mike have heard them all, and often they’re rooted in fear or misinformation.
“Curiosity and questions are always welcome, and it's a privilege to have a platform to address them. I’ve heard everything from ‘How will my wife take care of the kids if she’s on weed?’ Which is less about cannabis and more about gendered stereotypes. To the latest hot top 'the cannabis industry is causing psychosis - I saw it on the news'” shares Mel.
“Instead of getting defensive, I ask them how their wife is sleeping well? Or open a dialogue: the media don’t always offer evidence-based and balanced reporting. Still, medical cannabis isn’t for everyone, which is why medical oversight and research are absolutely vital.”
Driving laws, stigma, and lack of relevant, contemporary workplace policy which reflects the medicinal status of cannabis in Australian workplaces, do still present hurdles, but part of Cannim’s ethos is to lean in, offering support, co-developing policies, and providing clinical education.
“You tease out what the real concern is,” Melanie says. “Most people are open to the conversation if you are.”
The Path Forward
Early Findings and Future Directions
Whilst formal data analysis awaits study completion, the decision to extend the initial study for the Primary Dysmenorrhea study reflects both the value of continuing data collection and positive participant experiences.
The research program has nine studies in the pipeline, indicating a sustained commitment to women's health research. This long-term approach ensures comprehensive evidence development across multiple women's health conditions and age groups.
“There's a lot of historical illustration of its use and benefits in the past. For us, it was a case of, there's a lot of hearsay and a lot of talk about its benefits; let's put some formal results together. To really move the needle.” - Mike
Implications for Australian Healthcare: Evidence-Based Integration
For the Australian healthcare system, these studies provide essential evidence for evidence-based decision-making regarding the medicinal cannabis application for women. The rigorous methodology, academic partnerships, and comprehensive data collection ensure findings will meet the standards required for clinical practice integration and policy development.
Get Involved: Call to Action
Healthcare professionals working with women experiencing primary dysmenorrhea, menopause symptoms, or related conditions are encouraged to consider referring appropriate patients to these studies.
Participation not only provides access to clinical oversight and specially curated study formulary but also contributes to building the evidence base that will benefit future generations of women.
Women interested in participating can learn more can learn more, and complete a two-minute pre-screening survey at the following links: via the Natura Clinic website:
Primary Dysmenorrhea Study Info
Primary Dysmenorrhea Pre-Screening Survey
Menopause Study Pre-Screening Survey
Healthcare providers, clinics, and community organisations are also invited to collaborate or refer eligible participants.
“We're not trying to sling cannabis to anybody who will buy it, that's not an ethical or sustainable approach. Instead, we seek to address population health and support our least-served health cohorts with new and varied management options, such as medicinal cannabis. That is why we are focused on women's health, and why this research will be impactful.” - Mel
For more information about study participation or referring patients, reach out to the above listed weblinks, or contact melanie.wentzel@cannim.com. Together, we can build the evidence base that women's health deserves.
Melanie Wentzel is Cannim’s Healthcare Strategy Lead, and above all else, a people person. She cares about authentic leadership, creating value, and making room for joy; and she believes in women, in people, and their communities. She has dedicated her career to health system reform and improving health and care for communities in Australia and abroad.
The author of Cannabis Queens and #1 bestselling author of A Love Letter to Women in Business, Melanie is a recipient of the Women Changing the World Emerging Global Leader Award 2024 and has been featured by a range of international press outlets, including Forbes Magazine. She is a celebrated international speaker with recent engagements at the Women Changing the World Summit in London, and MJBizCon in Las Vegas. She is currently preparing to present and run workshops for the Icelandic National Hemp Association in Reykjavik.
Learn more about her work at www.melaniewentzel.com
Michael Zikaras is Cannim’s Chief Revenue Officer and has over twenty-five years senior executive experience.Passionate about the medicinal application of the plant, he brings his extensive experience in leading sales, operations and service functions for big corporations including Telstra, Optus, AIA Australia, and Sensis to the cannabis industry where he has worked with Cannim, and ReLeaf, to progress the cause for this vital medicine. Michael focuses on the people within systems, to build teams and processes to deliver excellent customer experiences across the care continuum.
Disclaimer: This information is shared with a global readership for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or business advice. All patient-related information has been de-identified OR fictional to protect privacy. Nothing in this article is intended to promote the use or supply of medical cannabis to members of the public.
