Marijuana and cannabinoid-based treatments may help reduce urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence, according to a new review examining their potential use for lower urinary tract symptoms.
The review, published in the Canadian Urological Association Journal, examined existing research involving adults with overactive bladder symptoms linked to neurological conditions, benign prostatic hyperplasia or cystitis.
Researchers from McMaster University searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL for studies comparing marijuana or cannabinoid treatments with placebo, no treatment or other therapies. Of 998 abstracts initially identified, 31 articles underwent full-text review and 12 studies were ultimately included.
The researchers found generally encouraging evidence for marijuana-based treatments, particularly among people with multiple sclerosis. Treatments examined across the studies included THC, CBD and formulations containing combinations of cannabinoids.
Participants in some studies experienced improvements in urinary incontinence episodes, urinary frequency and quality-of-life measures. Previous research has also reported reductions in symptoms such as urinary urgency and nighttime urination after cannabinoid treatment.
The evidence was strongest among patients with multiple sclerosis, who accounted for nine of the 12 included studies. That concentration also limits how broadly the findings can be applied to people whose urinary symptoms stem from other conditions. Only three of the studies were randomized controlled trials, with much of the remaining evidence coming from observational research.
Lower urinary tract symptoms can include frequent urination, sudden urges to urinate, nighttime urination and urinary incontinence. Conventional treatments include anticholinergic medications and beta-3 agonists, but the researchers noted that side effects and poor adherence can limit their usefulness.
Cannabinoid treatments were generally associated with mild adverse effects. Dizziness and dry mouth were among the most commonly reported, occurring in about 2% to 18% of participants in the reviewed studies and occasionally leading patients to discontinue treatment.
The researchers cautioned that the existing evidence remains limited and largely observational, particularly outside of patients with multiple sclerosis.
“While preliminary findings are encouraging, randomized trials focusing on patient-centered outcomes are needed,” the researchers concluded.
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