Premenstrual Syndrome, Medical Marijuana and Queen Victoria

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - Some may think this is an unusual trio for a title but the three are closely inter-related. PMS affects about 15% of women, some severely. It is related to cyclic hormonal changes familiar to all females.

Although the hormonal changes are responsible, the real culprit seems to be a Prostaglandin which causes the cramps.

It is interesting to note that prostaglandins were first discovered in 1935 and found in the prostate gland and semen. Later they were discovered all over in the body. They are related in structure to the natural cannabinoids anandamide and 2-AG.

ABC TV News, on Oct. 14, 2009, had a news item about a NEW therapy for PMS. If I heard correctly it was VIAGRA or something like it. I almost swallowed my false teeth. It is presumed to act by relaxing/dilating smooth muscle (of the uterus?) relieving the cramps.

Hearing the ABC TV News turned on a light over my head: Queen Victoria was the first woman to use marijuana for PMS.

This occurred a few months after Dr. O’Shaughnessy brought cannabis to England about 1840. It was a new highly efficacious drug so lets try it. It was prescribed by a Dr. Sir Russel Reynolds physician to Queen Victoria. The Queen had previously used Opium, Coca (raw cocaine), wine and chloroform. I hope ladies will cringe when they read this.

The Queen obviously found that cannabis/marijuana worked well. She used it also for morning sickness and obstetrical anesthesia with no harm to fetuses. It seems that ABC TV News is way behind on PMS therapy. The new most promising therapy for PMS was discovered by Queen Victoria about 1850.

While I was helping patients get permits to use medical marijuana, I was advised by many PMS patients that MMJ did relieve cramps and why not?

Before any of that, Phil Leveque was a Combat Infantryman in the U.S. Army in WWII. He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder more than 60 years after the war, and specialized in treating Veterans with PTSD during his years as a doctor in Molalla, Oregon.

Do you have a a question, comment, or story to share with Dr. Leveque?
Email him: Ask Dr. Leveque

More information on the history of Dr. Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of WWII about his own experiences "from a foxhole".
Order the book by mail by following this link: Dogface Soldier

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miss sativa June 3, 2010 1:46 am (Pacific time)

i have WA state authorization to use mmj specifically for my pms. its caused me to miss school, family events, and work before. but now with the mmj my cramps are undercontrol and i can sleep better:)

"Skipper" Osborne October 17, 2009 10:50 pm (Pacific time)

it is my belief that the only reason the United States Government has not legalized marijuana, cocaine, heroin etc: "THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAVE NOT FOUND A WAY TO TAX THE SO CALLED ILLICIT DRUGS!"

"Skipper" Osbgorne October 17, 2009 7:33 pm (Pacific time)

Dr. Phil Leveque...'Beautiful, long live the Queen!'

Mike H. October 17, 2009 6:27 pm (Pacific time)

People using alcohol are more dangerous than those using weed.

Dr. Leveque October 16, 2009 2:13 pm (Pacific time)

To GP: Thanks for the suggestion. MJ is good for sleep and also it is a euphoriant -- at least you can feel GOOD about night sweats and depression. It's good for that also. Dr. Phil

Bernard Palmer October 16, 2009 1:52 pm (Pacific time)

It's lovely seeing a sweet old doctor prescribing an illicit drug specifically for women but if the truth be known women voters overwhelmingly vote in governments that curtail liberty. Woman like lots of police around them, it makes them feel secure. Ask any woman, men are the problem in society and men need more control not less. The legalizing of drugs would create even bigger problems or so they believe. Unfortunately while governments own our bodies no one will ever be free to purchase mmj with impunity.

Editor: Wow Bernard, you need to get out more. If there was anything to what you say, then the west coast would look very different. This natural substance that grows naturally is indeed making inroads and even the President ordered the DEA to stand down, not that they are following the orders or anything, but it was still a sign of clear progress. For the record, Doc Leveque looks about twenty years younger than he is and his mind on any given day is nothing less than an accurate encyclopedia of knowledge. I took your link out, because this isn't a place for free advertising, it is a place to learn. Whether or not you choose to do so is your own choice.

MaryJane Cannabian October 16, 2009 12:47 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks again Dr. Leveque! I'd also like to add the MMJ works wonders for the symptoms of my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, an endocrine disease that affects 6-10% of the female population.

Winder October 16, 2009 9:34 am (Pacific time)

Wonderful story. Bravo Dr. Leveque, for standing up for the ladies against this onslaught of potentially harmful substances, and the ignorance of mainstream media with regard to the simplest and safest effective remedy for their unique forms of discomfort. Copious kudos for keeping up the good fight to shine the light of truth on the myriad effective uses for medical marijuana.

gp October 16, 2009 4:29 am (Pacific time)

I bet mmj would also be good for menopause symptoms. The disruption of sleep from night sweats is the main cause for menopausal depression. Get relaxed and a good nigt sleep and the anxiety just goes up in smoke.

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Premenstrual Syndrome, Medical Marijuana and Queen Victoria

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