Hi horny readers! Thank you so, so much for reading the Adult Sex Ed newsletter.
New here? Adult Sex Ed comedically challenges why we think what we think about sex. I’m Dani Faith Leonard, a filmmaker, comedy writer, and performer. In 2018, I started a live show called Adult Sex Ed and launched this newsletter in 2023. Each week, I take a fun deep dive into a topic I’ve been researching. Ready to plug the holes in your education? Okay, let’s go!
A Brief History of Bad Advice
Throughout history, women have been prescribed all kinds of herbs, plants, and strange remedies. Soranus, a 2nd-century Greek gynecologist with a truly perfect name (we mentioned him last week, too!), once told women to drink the water that blacksmiths used to cool their metal — as birth control. Ancient Greek women were also fumigated to treat a nonexistent disease called “hysteria.”
Centuries later, during the Great Depression, Lysol advertised itself as a douche to prevent infection and odor — subtly hinting it could also be used for birth control. Unsurprisingly, some women died from using it, though they did smell lemony-fresh.
While some remedies were deadly, others were surprisingly effective — including one that’s making headlines again today: cannabis.
The Original Green Medicine
Cannabis has been used in gynecology since ancient times — and unlike Lysol, it wasn’t poison.
It’s also back in the U.S. national conversation. The current administration faces pressure to decide whether to reschedule cannabis (i.e., change its classification under federal drug law). Meanwhile, more women are turning to it to manage a range of health concerns — dysmenorrhea (“death cramps”), dysuria (painful peeing), hyperemesis gravidarum (severe vomiting during pregnancy), endometriosis (a chronic disease affecting 190 million reproductive-age women and girls globally), and menopausal symptoms.
Cannabis interacts with an important system in the body that many people don’t know about: the endocannabinoid system. Notably, a high concentration of endocannabinoid receptors is found in the uterus. (I’m not a doctor or scientist, so I’ll recommend a great documentary on the topic — CBD Nation.)
Ancient Origins
The medical use of cannabis in gynecology is several thousand years old, according to neurologist and researcher Ethan Russo, M.D. It appears as an herbal remedy for obstetric and gynecological conditions across many cultures.
Here are some of the earliest mentions:
- Ancient Mesopotamia (7th century BCE): Hemp seeds were mixed with other agents in beer to ease difficult childbirth. Cannabis was also used rectally and by fumigation for various conditions. (I’m sure at least one bro in your college dorm tried a rectal hit, too.)
- Ancient Egypt: Cannabis was administered orally, rectally, vaginally, on the skin, in the eyes, and by fumigation. The Ebers Papyrus, a gynecological text dated around 3000 BCE, describes using cannabis as an aid to childbirth. It was ground with honey and inserted into the vagina — possibly to aid contractions (or give the new baby a sweet… sweet snack).
- Syria and Ayurveda: Cannabis was used to treat postpartum issues like anal fissures and was considered an aphrodisiac and therapeutic for various reproductive ailments.
- 9th-century Persia: Juice from cannabis seeds was mixed with herbs to treat migraines, calm uterine pains, prevent miscarriage, and preserve fetuses in the womb.
- 17th-century Azerbaijan: Hempseed oil was used to treat uterine tumors.
Lost Knowledge and Modern Revival
These are just a few examples before cannabis use continued into Western medicine. For much of history, women’s herbal lore was passed in secret, so it’s likely that many used cannabis therapeutically on their own. Despite its long-standing role in women’s health, much of that knowledge was eventually lost — and, as we know, marijuana was vilified.
Even the Anglo-Saxons of the 11th century recommended haenep (hemp) to relieve sore breasts by rubbing it on. Medicinal or not, that sounds pretty fun.
Will there be a modern cannabis-gynecology revival? If history’s any indication, women will probably lead that charge.
If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it so your friends can be hilariously informed — and make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a post.
A version of this article was published on Substack
