Is Your Immune System Weakened During Menstruation?

Many women experience discomfort and decreased productivity during their period. But did you know that your immune system may also take a hit during that time of the month? Several studies have shown that a woman's immunity is lowest during her ovulation period—roughly days 14 to 28 of her cycle.

There are a few theories as to why you might be more susceptible to illness during your period. For one, changes in hormones can affect how well your body can fight off infection.

For example, estrogen levels typically peak right before ovulation. This surge in estrogen can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and other infections.

Before your period, estrogen levels dip, which can cause your body to produce fewer antibodies. At the same time, progesterone levels increase, and because progesterone can suppress your immune system's ability to fight off infection, this can lead to a weakened immune system.

Basically, you are on a hormone roller coaster and this can leave you feeling run-down and more susceptible to colds and other infections.

There are a few things you can do to boost your immunity during this time. 

• Get Enough Sleep
• Eat A Balanced Diet
• Exercise Regularly
• Support Your Body with Supplements

Make sure you're getting enough sleep. Getting enough rest will help your body fight off infection.

Eat a balanced diet. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will give your body the nutrients it needs to stay strong.

Exercise regularly. Exercise helps improve circulation and drainage, which helps flush out bacteria and viruses from your body.

Support your body with supplements like Magnesium, Zinc, and B Vitamins. Adding CBD to your supplement regime may also help.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its more famous counterpart, THC, CBD is not psychoactive, which means it won’t get you high.

Proponents of CBD say that it can offer a wide range of health benefits, from reducing anxiety and pain to promoting better sleep and supporting a healthy immune system.

Cannabinoids like CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a network of endogenous cannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by the body) and receptors that are found throughout the body, including the immune system.

The ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in the body. It does this by regulating things like pain, inflammation, mood, and sleep.  Because of this, the ECS plays a major role in immune function. 

The cannabinoid receptors in the ECS, CB1 and CB2, are found on cells in the immune system. When these receptors are activated, they help to modulate the activity of the immune system.

CBD may help to support a healthy immune system by modulating the activity of receptors in the ECS and by increasing levels of antioxidants in the body.

The surges and dips of estrogen and progesterone during your cycle can suppress your immune system and affect your body’s ability to make antibodies making it harder to fight off illness.

Your endocannabinoid system works to keep your body balanced and supplementing with CBD supports your ECS. In turn, your ECS supports your immune system. 

If you're looking for a natural way to support your immune system during your menstrual cycle, you might consider supplementing with CBD.