--- title: How can we support women experiencing discomfort during their menstrual cycle? description: The market for dietary supplements for women's health is booming. At the top of the list are those that help relieve the discomforts of the menstrual cycle and PMS. image: https://blog.armor-proteines.com/hubfs/shutterstock_2313569093.jpg --- [![Armor Protéines](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/hubfs/Blog/logo-AP%20(1).svg)](https://www.armor-proteines.com/) - [Nutrition](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/tag/nutrition) - [R&D](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/tag/rd) - [Trends](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/tag/trends) - [Food Industry](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/tag/food-industry) - [Newsletter](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/how-can-we-support-women-experiencing-discomfort-during-their-menstrual-cycle#newsletter) # How can we support women experiencing discomfort during their menstrual cycle? **Magali Dulauroy** ![](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/hubfs/shutterstock_2313569093.jpg) [Nutrition](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/tag/nutrition) [dietary supplements](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/tag/dietary-supplements) [women's health](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/tag/womens-health) published on November 28, 2023 Share this article [![facebook](https://2660472.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2660472/Images/Blog/facebook-1.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/how-can-we-support-women-experiencing-discomfort-during-their-menstrual-cycle) [![linkedin](https://2660472.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2660472/Images/Blog/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/how-can-we-support-women-experiencing-discomfort-during-their-menstrual-cycle) [![twitter](https://2660472.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2660472/Images/Blog/twitter-1.svg)](http://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/how-can-we-support-women-experiencing-discomfort-during-their-menstrual-cycle) [Subscribe to our blog](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/how-can-we-support-women-experiencing-discomfort-during-their-menstrual-cycle#newsletter) ## What are the discomforts experienced during the menstrual cycle? ### Menstrual cycle: definitions and phrases1&2 The menstrual cycle is a physiological cycle that prepares the uterus to receive an embryo. With an average duration of 28 days and driven by different hormones, the menstrual cycle has several phases: - The **follicular phase**, during which ovarian follicles develop, stimulated by the hormones **FSH** (follicle-stimulating hormone) and **LH** (luteinizing hormone). These follicles in turn secrete **estrogen** which causes the endometrium to thicken. - This corresponds to the release of a mature **oocyte** from the ovary, which occurs following a rapid surge in FSH and LH hormones. - The **luteal phase**, during which the **corpus luteum** (cells of the ruptured ovarian follicle) secretes **progesterone** and **estrogen**. If the oocyte is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down due to very low levels of FSH and LH. - The **menstrual phase**, during which very low levels of estrogen and progesterone (due to atrophy of the corpus luteum) cause the superficial layer of the endometrium to shed. ### Symptoms experienced by many women during their menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle and its different phases can be a source of many **symptoms and types of discomfort**: pain, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, lethargy, bloating, etc. Another is **dysmenorrhea**, which is pelvic pain during menstruation. These symptoms may be due to **endometriosis,** which affects **10%** of women[\[1\]](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/how-can-we-support-women-experiencing-discomfort-during-their-menstrual-cycle#_ftn1). This proportion rises to nearly **40%** among women3 suffering from chronic pelvic pain3. **Premenstrual syndrome,** or PMS, defines all the physical and psychological symptoms that occur a few days to a few hours before menstruation (general fatigue, irritability, nervousness, headache, stomachache, water retention, breast pain, etc.). It affects **20 to 40%** of women of childbearing age2.   [![Web 1920 – 1-2](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Web%201920%20%E2%80%93%201-2.png?width=719&height=306&name=Web%201920%20%E2%80%93%201-2.png)](https://infos.armor-proteines.com/how-can-we-innovate-to-respond-to-womens-discomforts-white-paper-2023)   ## Nutraceuticals is an increasingly used solution to menstrual cycle discomfort ### A particularly buoyant female health market full of opportunities for innovation   **Femtech** encompasses all technologies and solutions designed to meet women’s health needs: software, diagnostic tools, products and services. That includes nutraceuticals, a segment showing strong growth: the global dietary supplement market aimed at women's health and beauty was worth **$55.4** billion in 2022, with a growth rate of **5.1%** estimated between 2023 and 20304. Moreover, the majority of dietary supplement consumers are women: in France, **8 out of 10 dietary supplements are purchased by women5**. ### What are the trends in dietary supplements aimed at menstrual comfort? Most of the ingredients are **plant-based ingredients**, **vitamins** and **minerals/trace elements**. For menstrual comfort, we can find chaste tree extract, alchemilla extract, evening primrose extract or magnesium, and for mood support: saffron extract or other adaptogenic plants, CBD or vitamin B6. With the rise of dietary supplements aimed at menstrual comfort, ingredients are **diversifying** and becoming **more technically advanced** in order to meet consumer expectations. Consumers are increasingly on the lookout for **natural and fully tested substances**: tangible proof of product efficacy, whether via consumer tests or clinical studies, is a major criterion.   ## Lactoferrin, an ingredient of particular interest for menstrual comfort   **Lactoferrin** is a glycoprotein naturally present in cow’s milk and human biological fluids. It has been extensively studied over the last 60 years and is the subject of more than **9,300 scientific articles**. It is particularly interesting for its **anti-inflammatory effect6,7,8**, which can help **relieve discomfort during the menstrual cycle.**   Sources: Our White paper on "How can we innovate to respond to women's discomforts?". (Available here > https://infos.armor-proteines.com/how-can-we-innovate-to-respond-to-womens-discomforts-white-paper-2023) \[1\] Vidal. Les hormones féminines et le cycle menstruel. \[Female hormones and menstrual cycle.\] 2023 \[2\] INSERM, #PayeTonCycle : C’est quoi le syndrome prémenstruel ? \[What is premenstrual syndrome?\] 2021 \[3\] INSERM, Endométriose, une maladie gynécologique fréquente mais encore mal connue \[Endometriosis, a common but still little-known gynecological disease\], 2018 \[4\] Grand View Research, Women’s Health And Beauty Supplements Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Application, By Age Group, By Consumer Group, By Sales Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 – 2030 \[5\]Actif’s no. 80, Santé Féminine : inventive et audacieuse \[Women’s Health: inventive and bold\], 2022 \[6\] Presti, S.; Manti, S.; Parisi, G.F.; Papale, M.; Barbagallo, I.A.; Li Volti, G.; Leonardi, S. Lactoferrin: Cytokine Modulation and Application in Clinical Practice. J.Clin. Med. 2021, 10, 5482. \[7\] Li, Y.-Q.; Guo, C. A Review on Lactoferrin and Central Nervous System Diseases. Cells 2021, 10, 1810 \[8\] Karav S, German JB, Rouquié C, Le Parc A, Barile D. Studying Lactoferrin N-Glycosylation. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Apr 20;18(4):870 If you want to know more about our women's health products, reach out to our experts [![Contact us!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3378452/d52466b4-5d38-44f0-8b96-001d23215634.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3378452/d52466b4-5d38-44f0-8b96-001d23215634) ## You may also be interested in these articles ### [Choose Caseinates: The strategic return of caseinates in high protein formulations](https://blog.armor-proteines.com/en/choose-caseinates-the-strategic-return-of-caseinates-in-high-protein-formulations) Nicolas ERABIT, published on August 3, 2026 Choose Caseinates: The strategic return of caseinates in high protein ... 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