A new study published online ahead of print on the National Center Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website is indicating that regular consumption of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may be of some help for men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
The goal of the study was to determine the relationship between THC and LUTS, with a focus on how cannabis use affects the frequency of LUTS in young community-dwelling men in the United States.
Researchers studied results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database between 2005 and 2008 and examined data for men between the ages of 20 and 59 who had completed the urinary and substance abuse questionnaires.
For study purposes, LUTS was defined as those who had two or more symptoms from a list that included nocturia, hesitancy, incomplete emptying, or incontinence. THC use was voluntarily reported and those who smoke marijuana at least once a month were considered regular users.
Of the 3,037 men that qualified for inclusion in the study, 14.4% of them indicated THC use and were significantly less likely to report LUTS compared to non-users.
The authors conclude the study by mentioning that obesity, diabetes, and other co-morbidities are established risk factors and that regular THC consumption can help protect against LUTS in young men.
