Is CBD safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
CBD has a reputation as a natural and gentle solution, so it naturally seems tempting to use it to relieve morning sickness or postpartum pain. However, the position of the American health authorities is unambiguous on this specific point: The FDA strongly advises against it. Any consumption of CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding is strongly discouraged, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists explicitly recommends avoiding it. to stop this consumption during these two periods.
The situation is different once pregnancy and breastfeeding are over, particularly regarding menstrual pain, where recent studies are beginning to document real potential, although the results are still preliminary. Here's what the available research shows in both cases.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a compound extracted from hemp. Unlike THC, it does not produce any psychoactive effects. Its popularity stems from its potential therapeutic effects, often sought for anxiety, and other conditions. period pain, or muscle spasms.
The Different Forms of CBD
CBD oil, extracted from hemp flowers and leaves and then diluted in a carrier oil, is used in drops under the tongue or mixed with food. CBD cosmetics, creams and gels applied directly to the skin, are sought after for skin conditions such as eczema. CBD flowers, generally smoked or vaporized, can also be used to prepare infusions.
What Pregnancy Research Really Says
The FDA published a detailed warning in 2019, regularly updated since then, which remains the most comprehensive reference on the subject. The initial observation is simple: there is no comprehensive research on the effects of CBD on the developing fetus, pregnant women, or breastfed infants, but several indicators suggest caution.
💡 What the FDA identified
High doses of CBD given to pregnant laboratory animals have caused reproductive system disorders in developing male fetuses. CBD also passes into breast milk, and there is no guarantee that it will not affect the breastfed infant. In addition, there is the risk of CBD products being contaminated by pesticides, heavy metals, or undeclared THC.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists echoes this sentiment, explicitly recommending that pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy stop all cannabis use, including CBD. Regarding breastfeeding, the organization acknowledges a lack of sufficient data to assess the effects on the baby, leading it to also advise against cannabis use during this period.
Some women still use CBD to relieve nausea, pelvic pain of pregnancy, or breast engorgement during breastfeeding. But no solid study to date confirms its effectiveness for these specific uses, and safety data remains insufficient to recommend this practice.
The Risk of Interaction with Other Medications
CBD can interact with certain medications, increasing, decreasing, or altering their effectiveness. This risk is particularly relevant for treatments taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding, making it all the more important to consult a doctor before any use, even occasional.
CBD During Periods: A Different Story
Apart from pregnancy and breastfeeding, the question of CBD for relieving period pain follows a different research trajectory, less clear-cut, but significantly more encouraging than in the field of pregnancy.
A 2024 study published in the Harvard Medical School-affiliated journal npj Women's Health followed 307 women experiencing menstrual pain, 77 of whom used a CBD-based vaginal suppository. The results showed a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of menstrual symptoms in the CBD group, as well as a lower use of conventional painkillers, compared to the group following their usual treatment.
Other avenues explored One study tested a CBD-enriched tampon for local action directly on the uterus, with favorable preliminary results and no significant adverse effects upon removal. A phase II clinical trial is also underway to directly compare CBD alone to ibuprofen for menstrual pain, a promising avenue for women who do not respond well to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.
These results remain preliminary, the samples are still relatively small, and some studies lack a placebo group to properly isolate the true effect of CBD. But unlike pregnancy and breastfeeding, where health authorities clearly advise against its use, the use of CBD for menstrual pain in women who are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding is not subject to any comparable warnings, which explains the surge in research on this specific topic.
Is CBD Legal in France
In France, CBD remains legal when extracted from industrial hemp, a variety containing very low levels of THC, below the legal limit. This legality pertains to the product's status; it says nothing about its safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding, two entirely separate issues.
Other Contraindications to Know
CBD is well known for its soothing and pain-relieving effects, but it remains a molecule that has contraindications, including pregnancy as we have just seen, but not only that.
A first contraindication cbd is if you have liver problems such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatic steatosis. Indeed, the liver is the organ that will metabolize CBD. If you suffer from liver disease, it will have difficulty metabolizing CBD, which could weaken it further.
The second contraindication to taking CBD is if you are already taking other medications. The CBD molecule can interact with certain active ingredients and decrease their effectiveness, increase it, or even negate it. Particular caution is advised with anticoagulants, anxiolytics, antidepressants, immunosuppressants, or anticonvulsants. In all cases, consult your doctor before taking CBD, regardless of your current treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two Situations, Two Different Responses
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the health authorities' advice is clear: it's best to abstain until more data is available. Outside of these periods, particularly for menstrual pain, research is progressing and showing encouraging results, although these are not yet conclusive. In both cases, medical advice remains the best guide, especially if you are already taking medication or have a liver condition.
Sources & References
- What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA
- FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD). Position of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), cited by the FDA. FDA
- Chalker M, et al. (2024). A survey-based, quasi-experimental study assessing a high-cannabidiol suppository for menstrual-related pain and discomfort. npj Women's Health. DOI: 10.1038/s44294-024-00032-0
- Efficacy of Cannabidiol Versus Ibuprofen in the Relief of Menstrual Pain in Females Living with Primary Dysmenorrhea, a Phase II Non-Inferiority Trial. (2022). Principles and Practice of Clinical Research. DOI: 10.21801/ppcrj.2022.83.7
- Efficacy and usability of a cannabidiol-infused buffer for the relief of primary dysmenorrhea. ScienceDirect. ScienceDirect
