While women make up half of the global population, women’s health has traditionally been treated as a niche market within nutraceuticals. However, common concerns such as menopause and urinary tract health have driven significant and growing demand for targeted, effective solutions specifically designed to meet women’s unique health needs.
Probiotics and menopause: a precision approach to symptom relief
Menopause is a significant hormonal milestone in a person’s life, but with around 85% of menopausal-age women reported to have experienced troubling symptoms,[1] the need for effective symptom management is still pivotal. Ranging from vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes, to joint and muscle pain, as well as impacts on brain function and mental wellbeing, menopause can be a transition of significant emotional distress. Associated with the decline of ovarian follicles and the consequent depletion of endogenous estrogen,[2] the hormonal transition can last for several years affecting the physical and mental health of a person in the process.
Currently, the options to effectively ease symptoms are limited to drug-based solutions so there is increasing demand for alternative therapies. In fact, research has shown 47% of menopausal women are interested in finding out more about how probiotics can address their symptoms.[3]
At Vitafoods Europe, held in Geneva in May 2024, our R&D manager Dr Marta Perez spoke about how probiotics can be tailored for menopausal support. During her presentation, she shared more on our commitment to precision probiotics and how we are developing products to target specific health areas including menopause.
[1] McKinlay, et al. The normal menopause transition. Maturitas.1992 Jan;14(2):103–15
[2] Santoro et al. Nutrients (2021). Menopause. WHO (2022). What Is Menopause? National Institute on Aging (2021). Figure adapted from Chidi-Ogbolu et al. Front Physiol (2019
[3] FMCG Gurus, 2023
Easing menopausal symptoms with gut modulation
During menopause, there is often a significant decline in the hormone estrogen, which has impacts on a number of areas such as regulation of the reproductive system and brain function. However, gut microbes such as β-glucuronidase (GUS) have the ability to reabsorb and reactivate estrogens. Probiotics can help to support this activity by modulating the gut microbiome. This is often known as the estrabolome, a collection of bacteria in the gut that metabolize and modulate the body’s estrogen.
To understand how probiotic strains can support menopausal symptoms, we recently conducted a controlled clinical study. As probiotics for women’s health is a growing area of interest in the sector, the research will be beneficial for manufacturers looking to produce supplements which can be marketed towards people experiencing menopause.
To read the study in full, click here
To find out more about our precision probiotics for a range of health areas, contact us today at hello@ab-biotics.com.
