Are CBD Suppositories the Answer to Better, Less Painful Sex?

What are CBD suppositories, exactly?

Suppositories are small round or cone-shaped medications designed to be inserted into the vagina, anus, or urethra.

Once inside, the medication melts or dissolves and is absorbed by the body.

CBD suppositories are suppositories that list CBD as an ingredient.

An abbreviation for cannabidiol, CBD is the nonpsychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that reps a range of benefits.

This includes:

• pain relief
• reduced inflammation
• reduced stress

As you might expect, all CBD suppositories include CBD. Beyond that, the full ingredient list varies by product.

Common additions include:

• coconut oil
• cocoa butter
• avocado oil
• apple cider vinegar

“Cannabinoids are fat soluble molecules, which is why most CBD suppositories have a fat-based base like oil,” says Kiana Reeves, sex and community educator with Foria, a holistic, hemp-based sexual wellness company.

Wait, can CBD suppositories get you high? 

CBD can’t get you high.

The cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is responsible for that.

Some CBD suppositories do contain THC, so if this is cause for concern, make sure you read the full ingredient list before purchase and use.

Still, even if the product contains THC, you’re unlikely to experience the head-high associated with oral ingestion.

The body doesn’t process THC the same way when it’s inserted anally or vaginally as it does when it’s ingested or smoked, explains Melanie Bone, MD, an OB-GYN who started a cannabis practice in Florida in 2016.

“The THC isn’t in suppositories to get you high, but to help the CBD work most optimally,” she says, adding that cannabinoids work best when used with other cannabinoids.

Just wondering: Why suppositories? 

Well, when you ingest something orally, it has to go through your gastrointestinal (GI) tract before it makes its way into your bloodstream.

The trouble with this is that “when something gets digested, a lot of good-for-you ingredients don’t actually get used,” explains Boronia Fallshaw, the founder of Mello, a company that sells CBD-prominent products.

So instead of working their full magic, they end up in the toilet.

According to Bone, suppositories allow medication to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, which means more medication actually gets utilized.

Beyond that, “there are a ton of cannabinoid receptors in the pelvic tissues,” she says.

So inserting CBD (and THC) vaginally or anally allows for more targeted relief than what oral ingestion of these ingredients can provide.

“Suppositories are a more common delivery method than you might think,” says Bone. For example, they’re frequently used to ease vaginal dryness in folks experiencing menopause.

She adds that suppositories have long been used by people with GI conditions to deliver medication. So, sometimes a cannabis-positive healthcare provider will recommend suppositories if oral ingestion isn’t possible.

Is there a difference between anal and vaginal use?

Many CBD suppositories on the market can be inserted anally or vaginally (note: not via the urethra).

Your orifice of choice will depend on:

• your anatomy
• the product
• the symptom you want to remedy or the benefit you’re aiming for

Anal suppositories are generally used:

• by folks who have a GI condition
• for hemorrhoids and rectal pain
• as part of prep for anal sex

Vaginal suppositories are generally used:

• for relief from vaginal-specific health conditions
• to increase pleasure during vaginal penetration

Make sure you thoroughly review the label or packaging before use.

Some products, like Hello Again, are only designed to be inserted vaginally, while others, like Mello Bottoms, are only intended for anal use.

Others, like Foria Intimacy Suppositories, can be used either anally or vaginally.

What are the potential benefits?

It’s incredibly difficult to get funding for research as it pertains to sexual pleasure, reproductive health, and menstrual relief.

And it’s similarly hard AF to get funding for research around cannabis.

So as you might guess, clinical research on CBD suppositories is very limited.

At this point in time, the purported benefits of CBD suppositories come from either anecdotal reports or by analyzing the available research on similar products.

These benefits may include the following:

Endometriosis relief

A condition that affects up to 15 percent of vagina owners, endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to what lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus.

For example, uterine tissue could develop on the:

• ovaries
• bowels
• fallopian tubes
• intestines

This can cause severe pain, among other symptoms.

“Endometriosis creates a ton of inflammation in the pelvic region,” explains Bone.

So if you introduce inflammation-reducing CBD to the area, you may experience relief from your symptoms, she says.

Decreased symptoms of dyspareunia

Science speak for “painful sex,” dyspareunia can occur as a result of a number of conditions.

This includes:

• vulvodynia
• vaginismus
• vaginal scarring
• pelvic floor dysfunction
• uterine fibroids
• ovarian cysts
• interstitial cystitis

It’s estimated that nearly 75 percent of all people with vulvas will experience pain during penetrative sex at some point in their life.

Heather Jeffcoat, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in sexual dysfunction and author of “Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide to the Sex Life You Deserve,” says she’s had patients with dyspareunia report reduced pain during intercourse when using suppositories.

Jeffcoat adds that this has been especially apparent when used in conjunction with other treatments for dyspareunia.

These treatments include:

• sex therapy
• pelvic floor therapy
• vaginal dilators

“For patients who experience pain during sex, the anxiety around sex being painful can actually worsen that pain,” says Jeffcoat.

With its touted anxiety-reducing benefits, the CBD in the suppository may help stop that negative anticipatory feedback loop, she adds.

Reduced pain from pelvic floor dysfunction

Sometimes called chronic pelvic floor tension, a hypertonic pelvic floor occurs when your pelvic muscles are in a constantly flexed (AKA not relaxed) position.

This can make penetration of any kind — be it a menstrual cup or a dildo — incredibly painful. It can also cause discomfort in your overall pelvic area, hamstrings, and back.

According to Reeves, CBD can help relax and soften the pelvic floor muscles.

“It also has a vasodilating effect,” says Reeves. “It helps blood flow come into that area, [and] that further supports muscle relaxation.”

Cramp relief

Cramps result from clenched muscles, so it makes sense that a product that can help relax muscles could also support menstrual cramp relief. Right?

Menopause relief

During menopause, people often experience symptoms such as:

• hot flashes
• night sweats
• mood changes
• vaginal dryness
• mental fog

According to Bone, the body gradually produces less and less cannabinoids as you go through menopause.

She adds that introducing more cannabinoids to your system by way of CBD suppositories could help alleviate some of the symptoms above.

For example, the CBD suppository brand Hello Again — which contains THC, for the record — offers two products specifically designed to target these symptoms.

For daytime use, there’s Hello Again Everyday. And for nighttime use, there’s Hello Again Sleep.

The main difference between the two is their respective THC and CBD levels.

“Hello Again allows menopausal folks to experience local benefits, like increased moisturization, as well as systemic benefits, such as increased focus and improved sleep,” says Bone.

Increased pleasure

Preexisting conditions and pain aside, CBD suppositories can be used by anyone looking to ramp up pleasure in the bedroom.

“Relaxation and blood flow are two of the main ingredients of pleasurable sex, and CBD provides both,” says Reeves.

Fallshaw adds that many folks report having their first ever anal orgasm when using CBD suppositories rectally before anal sex. Fun!

How do you use a suppository?

Start by washing your hands!

Next, if your CBD suppository is stored in the refrigerator, go get it! (Note: Most companies recommend keeping the product refrigerated).

If not, press either side of the suppository to see if it’s hard enough to insert. If it’s too soft, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.

When the suppository is of “optimal hardness,” strip off your skivvies. Then get into position by either propping one leg up on the toilet or shower ledge, or laying on your back with your knees pulled in toward your chest.

Place the suppository on the tip of your finger, then use your finger to press the suppository as far back as it will go.

If it physically feels dry going in, feel free to add a dab of lube to your fingertip to promote glide.

“It typically takes suppositories about 15 to 20 minutes to fully melt and absorb into the body,” says Reeves. So if you’re using them for sexual purposes, be sure to wait at least that long before penetrative play.

Oil can break down the integrity of latex. This means that a CBD suppository with an oil-based delivery system can’t be used with a latex barrier.

Instead, opt for a barrier made out of:

• nitrile
• polyurethane
• animal skin

How often should you use them, and at what dosage?

It really varies!

If you’re using them for period pain relief, you only need to use them when that pain sprouts up. If you’re using them for boosted sexual pleasure, you could use them before every single romp.

And if you’re using them for menopause relief, you might use them every single day during (or even after) menopause.

Dosage is similarly variant.

Most CBD suppositories offer somewhere between 50 milligrams (mg) to 200 mg of CBD per unit.

You can always half the suppository during your first use to see how your body responds.

“Everybody’s endocannabinoid system functions differently,” says Bone. “Some people may need or want to use them more frequently and at higher doses than others.”

Are there any side effects to be aware of? 

No matter the delivery method, CBD is generally well-tolerated, says Bone.

When people do experience side effects, they typically include:

• diarrhea
• reduced appetite
• drowsiness
• fatigue

It’s also important to remember that some CBD suppositories contain THC, which some folks tolerate better than others.

According to Bone, the oil-based holder is more likely to cause irritation than the product’s CBD or THC content.

“For folks who are prone to get yeast infections, you could put anything in there and have a yeast infection arise,” explains Bone.

What’s the bottom line?

Whether you’re looking to remedy pelvic pain or experience more pleasure, CBD suppositories may help.

But before you introduce a new medication to your routine, talk to a trusted healthcare provider to learn more about its potential effects.

Bone notes that the average OB-GYN doesn’t have a lot of training in cannabinoid medicine, so “if you’re going to them for permission, guidance, or approval, you may not get the care you’re hoping for.”

Instead, she recommends seeking out the advice of a cannabinoid specialist, a cannabis-positive provider, or a holistic doctor.

Is CBD Legal? Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but are still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level, but are legal under some state laws. Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.

Gabrielle Kassel is a New York-based sex and wellness writer and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. She’s become a morning person, tested over 200 vibrators, and eaten, drunk, and brushed with charcoal — all in the name of journalism. In her free time, she can be found reading self-help books and romance novels, bench-pressing, or pole dancing. Follow her on Instagram.