Cannabidiol (CBD): An acceptable non-hormonal treatment option for women suffering with chronic pelvic pain – a cross-sectional observational study

• Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) remains inadequately treated for many women. • This study explored women’s views on cannabidiol (CBD) for CPP. • Most participants viewed CBD as an acceptable treatment option. • Many women reported current or past CBD use for symptom relief. • Findings show interest in CBD and support further research. Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) represents a significant health issue among women, profoundly impacting their quality of life. Current treatment modalities primarily include hormonal therapy, analgesics, or surgical interventions, which may have side effects or be unsuitable for women attempting to conceive. The objective of this study is to determine if cannabidiol (CBD) is an acceptable non-hormonal self-management option for women with CPP. A prospective, cross sectional observational questionnaire study that included 200 women with CPP who attended the gynaecological department at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital (LWH), UK, over a six-month period. The main outcomes included acceptability of CBD as a non-hormonal treatment option for CPP, current treatments/self-management strategies utilised, and interest in participation in future trials investigating CBD for CPP management. Sixteen % ( n = 32) of the questioned cohort were taking alternative treatments, 16.3 % ( n = 26) had tried cannabis (prescribed/illicit), and 21.3 % ( n = 34) had tried Hemp/CBD oil as an alternative treatment option. A total of 82.5 % ( n = 165) of respondents were willing to try CBD; 73.9 % ( n = 139) oral, 69.7 % ( n = 131) a skin patch, 72.3 % ( n = 136) a balm/gel and 33 % ( n = 62) a CBD infused tampon. Most women, 75.5 % ( n = 151), revealed their willingness to take part in future trials involving CBD as a treatment option. CPP remains inadequately treated, leading many women to seek alternative therapies. CBD is considered an acceptable option, with a high proportion of surveyed women reporting current or past use to manage their symptoms.