Medical Cannabis Offers New Hope for British Women Struggling with Chronic Pain

Published: 04 October’ 2025. the English Chronicle Desk, English Chronicle Online

A growing number of British women suffering from chronic pain are turning to medical cannabis after traditional over-the-counter treatments repeatedly failed to provide relief, highlighting a significant shift in the approach to women’s health and pain management in the UK. Conditions such as menopause, endometriosis, and perimenopause, often dismissed or inadequately treated, are now prompting women to explore alternative therapies that offer both physical relief and renewed quality of life.

Kirstie Baker, a 55-year-old mother from Cardiff, exemplifies this emerging trend. She described her life as “upended” when menopause struck five years ago, leaving her sleepless, irritable, and emotionally drained. “I couldn’t communicate properly. I was snapping at my children, my husband was nervous around me, and I just didn’t feel like me anymore,” she said. Despite visiting her GP and being prescribed antidepressants to manage the symptoms, she found the side effects unbearable, describing them as “chemical chaos” that left her feeling woozy and disconnected.

Her journey toward recovery began unexpectedly during a family Christmas gathering when a relative introduced her to the potential benefits of medical cannabis. She soon accessed treatment through Alternaleaf, a UK-based online clinic, and immediately noticed improvements. Today, she medicates twice daily using a vape, reporting significant relief from both physical and emotional symptoms. “Before I started taking it, I was becoming quite preclusive. I didn’t really want to go anywhere or do anything,” she explained. “When I started using medical cannabis, all of those things started to dissolve…and I really started to embrace life again.”

Mrs. Baker’s story reflects a wider struggle faced by many women in the UK, where research suggests that pain associated with women’s health issues is frequently overlooked. A Nurofen report from late last year found that 81 percent of UK women aged 18 to 24 felt their pain was dismissed or ignored by healthcare professionals. For women like Mrs. Baker, the lack of effective, empathetic care has led them to seek alternative solutions outside the traditional NHS framework.

Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, thousands of women have accessed the treatment, yet prescriptions through the NHS remain exceedingly rare. Most patients turn to the private sector, where cannabis-based therapies are more readily available, especially those offering “full-spectrum” treatments that contain all the naturally occurring compounds in the cannabis plant. Professor Mike Barnes, a neurologist and expert in medical cannabis, emphasises its efficacy for chronic pain. “While many effective painkillers exist, some women reach a point where no licensed medications work. For them, medical cannabis is a very good, valid alternative,” he said, noting that private prescriptions for women’s chronic pain are increasing by approximately 2,000 to 2,500 patients per month.

Currently, about 80,000 people in the UK are using unlicensed medical cannabis, with only a handful—just six individuals—receiving treatment through the NHS. A survey of 500 NHS doctors this year revealed that 80 percent would consider prescribing cannabis for women’s health conditions if it were more widely available. Despite these findings, NHS guidance remains cautious due to concerns over the limited evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of unlicensed cannabis-based products.

Mrs. Baker also highlighted the challenges patients face when discussing medical cannabis with traditional healthcare providers. “When I spoke to my GP about this, they weren’t very forthcoming with information on it. They weren’t going to promote it; they would rather me try various antidepressants,” she said. The lack of awareness and understanding around medical cannabis continues to be a barrier, even as growing numbers of private clinics report surging demand. At Alternaleaf, for instance, the number of female patients has increased by 50 percent every three months over the past year, nearly half of whom are being treated specifically for chronic pain.

Medical cannabis works by regulating pain signals, reducing inflammation, and easing nerve sensitivity, while also supporting improved sleep—an issue often overlooked in women’s health. Experts stress that when properly prescribed, the risk of addiction or dependency is minimal. Professor Barnes notes that side effects are “very minimal, relatively easy to control,” underscoring the treatment’s potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional pharmacological approaches.

Beyond physical relief, the adoption of medical cannabis has profound emotional and social implications for women. Patients like Mrs. Baker describe renewed social engagement, emotional stability, and a restored sense of autonomy. “We need to talk about menopause more, what it really does to women, how lonely and misunderstood it can be. And we need to talk about medical cannabis, too,” she said, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and fostering acceptance of alternative therapies in mainstream healthcare discussions.

The conversation surrounding medical cannabis for women’s health is part of a broader debate over patient autonomy, the limitations of current medical practices, and the role of alternative treatments. While the NHS remains cautious, the private sector has rapidly expanded to meet growing demand, providing tailored treatment plans that include dosage management, patient education, and ongoing support. For many women, this personalized approach is the first time they feel truly heard and cared for in managing conditions that have long been marginalized or dismissed.

Kirstie Baker’s experience illustrates not only the practical benefits of medical cannabis but also its potential to transform quality of life. For women navigating chronic pain, menopause, or endometriosis, the treatment represents more than a medication—it offers relief, empowerment, and an opportunity to re-engage with life fully. As awareness and acceptance grow, medical cannabis may become an increasingly mainstream option for managing women’s health, bridging the gap between traditional medicine and patient-centred care.