Weed, pot, reefer, herb, grass, skunk, Mary Jane – all street names for the same drug, marijuana. This little plant has caused a sea of controversy, especially over the last few years with the legalization of pot across the nation. However, for all the news this drug attracts, the need to understand the health risks and adverse effects of the drug have never been higher. A recent study from The Journal of Addiction Medicine highlighted a potential risk found between tobacco, marijuana, and a woman’s menstrual cycle. The research found that females who co-use marijuana and tobacco may have a shortened luteal phase in comparison with females who only use tobacco. So what does this mean for women long-term? To understand these issues in a broader context, let’s examine the study, what a short luteal phase actually means, and how this health risk could affect fertility issues in women.

What The Research Found and Why It Matters

The study gathered women between the ages of 18 to 50 years, with regular menstrual cycles, who co-used marijuana and tobacco. These women were then matched to participants who only smoked tobacco. During the study, the length of the follicular and luteal phases were measured between both groups to determine any differences in menstrual cycles. The luteal stage is the phase of the woman’s ovulation cycle that occurs after the egg has been released, which lasts around 14 days (unless fertilization occurs). During this phase, a woman’s body releases progesterone and thickens the lining of the uterus to prepare for pregnancy. The results from the study showed that women who used both marijuana and tobacco have a significantly shortened luteal phase than those who only used tobacco. Preliminary studies indicated that marijuana might suppress luteinizing hormone or shorten the luteal phase. So what are the possible long-term issues from a shorter luteal phase?

Short Luteal Phase and Fertility Issues

During a woman’s cycle, when the luteal phase lasts for ten days or less, it’s known as a short luteal phase. A woman with a shorter luteal phase may have a tougher time getting or staying pregnant as her body does not secrete enough progesterone to develop a uterine lining. Without a strong uterine lining, the fertilized egg cannot implant in the uterus. A recent paper on the causes of female infertility states, “From an endocrine perspective, follicular or luteal function that is far outside the normative range is likely associated with reduced fertility. In the most extreme example, it is known that resection of the corpus luteum and the associated reduction in progesterone secretion reduces fertility and causes abortion in women before about 49 days of pregnancy.”

Similarly, smoking tobacco, in and of itself, has long been known to cause infertility issues. According to the Cleveland Clinic, smoking while trying to conceive has led to: 

• Damage to the eggs and ovaries
• Failure to conceive at six and 12 months
• Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy

Further studies are needed to better understand how marijuana use may impact the menstrual cycle as well as affect smoking outcomes. However, what is known is that this drug can shorten the luteal phase, which is an essential indicator of fertility. Knowing that both marijuana and tobacco affect a woman’s menstrual cycle as well as overall reproductive health, now is the time to quit. 

Marijuana, Addiction, and How to Stop

Quitting marijuana may not be as easy as you think. Using marijuana every day, or using it regularly, can lead to your brain to start craving the drug. This kind of dependency leads to addiction. And like with any addiction, you may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, headaches, or flu-like symptoms. If this occurs, you may find yourself using more and more marijuana to deal with these symptoms, and the cycle continues. Some common signs you or a loved one may have an addiction to marijuana are:

• Using marijuana to reduce anxiety, reduce pain, to sleep, especially without a doctor’s diagnosis
• Stealing money, items to support your habit
• Spending money on marijuana instead of bills and other important life responsibilities
• Using marijuana daily 
• Continually spending time with people who use marijuana, and other vital relationships take a backseat
• Work or school performance starts to suffer 
• Driving or performing other dangerous activities while high

If you or someone you love can relate to the above list and are suffering from a marijuana addiction, you are not alone, and help is available. The Kimberly Center offers professional, comprehensive, evidence-based treatment that can produce lasting results. No two people are alike, and no two addictions are alike, which is why our rehabilitation center places such emphasis on an individualized program. We address all issues to get at the core of addiction and offer several recovery options such as intensive outpatient and outpatient programs, long-term treatment, continuing care, and sober living options. Begin your new life in sobriety by reaching out to us today at 855-452-3683.