An impossible balance? Juggling work and home puts women’s mental health in spotlight, flags roundtable

03 Mar 2022 --- Many areas of women’s health like mental well-being and sexual wellness are currently overlooked, leaving ample space for innovation.

This is according to industry experts who speak to NutritionInsight ahead of International Women’s Day about the demands different life stages bring, as well as the rise of key ingredient categories like probiotics and natural extracts.

The market for nutritional ingredients for women’s health is evolving to a more mature market, driven by consumers’ interest and research and development, notes Elodie Aragon, product manager at Lallemand Health Solutions and responsible for the women’s health portfolio.

“The global women’s health and beauty supplements market has reached US$53 billion with an estimated CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2028. Women’s health encompasses age-specific health, everyday health and intimate health,” she expands.

Both in retail settings and online shelves, numerous products are marketed for women, even if they aim at promoting more overall well-being, Aragon continues.

“This sector is about obtaining and maintaining overall health, no matter what age they are,” adds Silvia Pisoni, global market manager of Gnosis by Lesaffre.

The opportunities in women’s health are “vast,” adds Gregory Leyer, senior director of scientific affairs in Chr. Hansen’s Human Health division. “This is as consumers continue to focus on a long-term approach to health.” Women’s health encompasses a broad category of areas, but aspects like mental health and libido are often neglected.

A lifespan approach
Throughout their lifespans, women face all kinds of challenges derived from internal and external factors.

“These include daily stress, eating habits, fatigue and menstrual cycle. These factors in turn affect gut health, mental health and immune health,” says Aragon.  

Leyer also thinks of the women’s demographic through the lens of varying life stages, from adolescence to childbearing years, menopause and healthy aging. 

“The fluctuating level of ovarian hormones composed of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle is one of the main parameters impacting women’s general health from puberty to menopause,” adds Aragon. 

These fluctuations impact specific areas of health, including mobility, cardiovascular health, mood, sexual health and immune status. “Therefore, women are eager to find the right nutritional balance that will help them achieve their overall health,” notes Pisoni. 

Addressing aspects left behind
Pisoni notes that women are also quick to address specific maladies, as they are identifying those issues through frequent doctors’ visits to monitor their health status.

“While women’s formulations may target very gender-specific benefits, including pre and post-natal health, the traditional woman is focused on taking a more proactive approach to overall health. She typically associates probiotics with a variety of benefits, including those around digestive and immune health,” says Leyer. 

Eva Criado, communication manager at Pharmactive, adds that traditionally, women’s health has focused on skin, breast cancer, menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), nails and specific supplements targeted to women at different life stages like preconception, maternity, menopause and beyond.

“In a way, women’s supplements have tended to focus more on generic and beauty supplements, leaving behind other essential aspects like libido and sexual health. Moreover, other health concerns impacting women, like heart diseases, stroke, diabetes and urinary tract infections, have been treated as widespread demands,” she argues. Probiotic ingredients can be useful for a host of issues from mood and digestion to vaginal care. 

Work-life juggling takes a toll
One particular aspect of health in the spotlight is mood. Aragon notes that women are more susceptible to developing anxiety and depression than men, which might be explained by their hormonal fluctuation.

However, the gut microbiota can also play a role in balancing mood via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Notably, Lallemand’s Cerebiome probiotic blend has been found to help moderate psychological and physiological responses to occasional stress. 

Alberto Espinel, head of R&D at Pharmactive, adds that women’s mental health is often overlooked. One example is the psychological stress and anxiety felt at a sharper degree by young women with children.

“Currently, these women combine the extensive and full integration of women in the labor market with family care – which has been heightened during the pandemic,” he adds. 

Waning libidos
Mental health and anxiety also have an impact on other areas of health, like sexual wellness. 

“Many women have experienced a decrease in libido, and Generation Z and Millennials are more prone to look for solutions. As a result, brands are starting to launch products targeted at libido and love,” says Criado

“Combining libido boost and a good mood is also attractive for consumers and brands. As Generation X ages, they will also be looking for products to increase their libido and sexual health,” she continues. 

In this space, brands are mixing libido-friendly ingredients like Liboost, Damaina extract and Affron saffron extract. 

Criado has seen high demand for both extracts in the last two years, predicting this trend will continue. 

A holistic look at sexuality
Leyer adds that the science around probiotics and sexual wellness should also offer a more holistic approach to health. 

“Focusing on vaginal and urogenital health as well as maintaining digestive and immune health is a great first step in maintaining overall sexual wellness,” he explains. 

Aragon also highlights the interconnected nature of sexual well-being, noting that 52% of women state they currently or occasionally suffer from intimate health problems, and 91% affirm these intimate health problems occasionally or regularly impact their quality of life.  

“Women facing intimate health problems confirm these discomforts can also impact their sexual wellness,” she adds. Consumers broadly understand the role of nutrition, but continue to struggle with information about folate. 

Probiotics for intimate care
Probiotics can address many women’s needs, especially around intimate care. Vaginal microflora imbalance is caused by changes in the number of certain types of microorganisms in this environment. This is the most common reason for occasional vaginal discomfort in women aged 15 to 44, according to Aragon. 

“Healthy vaginal flora is composed of more than 90% Lactobacilli. In times of occasional bacterial imbalance, Lactobacilli can help rebalance the vaginal microflora and promote vaginal comfort,” she explains. 

She emphasizes that specific probiotic strains can be positioned as a science-backed, natural alternative without side effects. 

“Many previous kinds of probiotics had efficacy demonstrated on local (vaginal) application. However, Lallemand Health Solutions orally administered L. plantarum Rosella has now been shown to support women’s intimate health. The convenience of oral administration will certainly help increase compliance.”

Educating consumers
Consumer awareness is a key factor for success. Pisoni proposes that awareness can only be improved through clear communication based in science and through scientific advisory.

“For example, over the last few years, Gnosis has worked to raise the knowledge and awareness of active forms of folate. Many studies using those forms of folate have been published, illustrating the wide range of benefits of folate supplementation.” 

She also points out that considerable confusion still exists between the different forms of folate, which was the topic of a recent webinar.  

“Indeed practitioners are still recommending folic acid as the standard of folate supplementation without making the differentiation between its various forms.” 

Also weighing in on consumer awareness, Aragon adds that most women around the world have a good understanding of how dietary and food supplements can be a natural way to maintain and restore vaginal and digestive microflora, with positive consequences on feminine health and overall well-being.

What lies ahead?
Looking ahead, Criado anticipates that women’s health will become more tailored to different ages from a prevention point of view. Additionally, supplements will be targeted by health categories like heart, stroke, cancer, menopause, preconception and beauty.

“Mental health is of the fastest-growing categories. Additionally, together with immunology and personalized supplements for women mixing natural ingredients, plant-based would be the future,” she adds. 

Meanwhile, Aragon predicts that in areas like intimate health, gut health, immune health or mental health, packaging and additional ingredients – such as cranberries, vitamins, minerals and prebiotics – will hold appeal for women looking to add probiotic supplements to their daily diet.

By Katherine Durrell