A common hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects more than 170 women worldwide can now be treated in Illinois with medical marijuana.
According to a Tuesday announcement from the Illinois Department of Public Health, chronic pain from polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, also known as PMOS, can now be treated by doctors in Illinois with cannabis.
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Pain associated with sickle cell disease has also been added to the list of “debilitating medical conditions” approved for such treatment, the IDPH said.
IDPH Director Sameer Vohra said in the release the decision to add both conditions was made after a “thorough review” by the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board and IDPH staff.
Illinois law directs IDPH to reviews petition requests to add to the approved list of “debilitating medical conditions” for which medical marijuana can be used. “The Director considers available scientific analysis and medical literature to determine whether medical cannabis would be an appropriate treatment for each condition,” the release said.
“We look forward to working with our medical providers to ensure safe, appropriate access for individuals struggling with these newly approved conditions,” Vohra said in the release.
The decision is effective immediately, the release said, with providers now able to certify patients with those conditions for treatment. Other eligible conditions on the list include endometriosis, Chron’s disease, migraines, IBS, ovarian cysts, PTSD and fibromyalgia.
PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is characterized by hormonal fluctuations that impact metabolism, reproductive health, skin, and mental well-being, IDPH said. Sickle cell disease refers to a group of inherited red blood cell disorders in which abnormal blood cells can lead to extreme pain, anemia, fatigue, swelling, infections, and organ damage.
Cannabis has been shown to provide relief from the chronic pain associated with both conditions, IDPH said.