Patterns of and Attitudes Towards Cannabis Use in Women's Health [7P]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 

Legal access to cannabis is increasing and its use to treat medical conditions has been shown to be effective and common. We sought to assess the use of and attitudes towards cannabis for treating gynecological conditions.

METHODS: 

We utilized Amazon.com Inc.'s Mechanic Turk platform to administer a 21-question survey of US women. We present descriptive results of socio-demographic information, cannabis use for recreational and medicinal purposes, and attitudes about cannabis use for gynecologic conditions. We used bivariate statistics to test associations between past cannabis use and attitudes towards use for gynecologic conditions.

RESULTS: 

We obtained responses from 1011 women from all 50 states. Respondents primarily identified as white (83%), with a median age of 37 (range 19-82). Sixty-four percent reported they had ever used a cannabis product. Among respondents who had used cannabis (n=648), 36% (n=232) reported using it to treat a specific medical condition; pain and depression/anxiety were the most common conditions. Of these women, 16% (38/232) reported cannabis use to treat a gynecologic condition; menstrual cramps was the most common condition. Of respondents reporting ever using cannabis, 49% (490/1011) stated they would consider using cannabis to treat pain associated with medical abortion, 47% (n=480/1011) would use for surgical abortion pain, and 48% would use for pain with IUD insertion (n=489/1011). Among respondents who have never used cannabis, 63% (n=229/362) would considering using cannabis to treat a gynecologic condition.

CONCLUSION: 

Cannabis products are currently being used by women both recreationally and medically. Most women would consider using cannabis to treat gynecologic conditions.