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Cannabis-based medicinal products are associated with sustained improvements in pain, health-related quality of life, sleep, and anxiety in patients with endometriosis at 24 months

In a 2-year prospective observational study of 101 patients with endometriosis, cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) were associated with significant improvements in pain severity, pain interference, quality of life, sleep, and anxiety at all follow-up points (1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months; p<0.001). Mean prescribed oral morphine equivalents decreased from 19.9 mg/day at baseline to 14.8 mg/day at 24 months. Adverse events were mostly mild, with fatigue (15.8%), lethargy (14.9%), and headache (12.9%) being most common.

Last updated: Aug 14, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products for Endometriosis: A 2-Year Prospective Analysis From the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

observational

Ahmed T, Erridge S, Clarke E, McLachlan K, Coomber R, Barnes S, Medniuk AD, Guru R, Holden W, Sajad M, Searle R, Usmani A, Rucker JJ, Platt M, Sodergren MH · The Australian &amp; New Zealand journal of obstetrics &amp; gynaecology (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 24 months
Intervention: Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) prescribed for endometriosis-associated pain
Outcome: Patient-reported outcome measures (BPI Severity, BPI Interference, SF-MPQ-2 Total, Pain VAS, EQ-5D-5L Index, GAD-7, SQS), prescribed oral morphine equivalents (OME), adverse events
Effect Size: N/A (no effect size reported; p<0.001 for all outcomes)
Population: Biological females (≥18 years) with a primary diagnosis of endometriosis, enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry for at least 2 years

Result:

PubMed: 42576801DOI: 10.1111/ajo.70173

Mechanism Graph

CBMPs interact with the endocannabinoid system, modulating pain signaling
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Cannabinoids may reduce inflammation and neuropathic pain associated with endometriosis
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Improved pain and sleep may lead to reduced anxiety and better quality of life
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Result: Sustained improvements in pain, sleep, anxiety, and quality of life

Limitations

  • ⚠Observational study design without a control group, limiting causal inference
  • ⚠Potential selection bias and confounding by indication
  • ⚠No placebo comparison, so improvements may be partly due to placebo effects or regression to the mean
  • ⚠Adverse events may be underreported due to self-reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common side effects of cannabis-based medicinal products for endometriosis?▼

The most frequent adverse events reported were fatigue (15.8%), lethargy (14.9%), and headache (12.9%). Most adverse events (50.9%) were mild.

How long do the benefits of cannabis-based medicinal products last for endometriosis pain?▼

Improvements in pain, quality of life, sleep, and anxiety were sustained at all follow-up points up to 24 months, with statistically significant changes from baseline at each time point.

Can cannabis-based medicinal products reduce opioid use in endometriosis patients?▼

Yes, the study found a reduction in prescribed oral morphine equivalents from a mean of 19.9 mg/day at baseline to 14.8 mg/day at 24 months, suggesting a potential opioid-sparing effect.

Are cannabis-based medicinal products safe for long-term use in endometriosis?▼

The study reported a favorable adverse event profile over 24 months, with most events being mild. However, the observational nature and lack of control group mean that long-term safety requires further investigation.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Ahmed T, Erridge S, Clarke E, McLachlan K, Coomber R, Barnes S, Medniuk AD, Guru R, Holden W, Sajad M, Searle R, Usmani A, Rucker JJ, Platt M, Sodergren MH. "Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products for Endometriosis: A 2-Year Prospective Analysis From the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.." The Australian &amp; New Zealand journal of obstetrics &amp; gynaecology, 2026. PMID: 42576801 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.70173
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.