Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of menstruation, typically occurs between ages 45 and 55. It is defined by 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period and signals the end of fertility. Menopause involves three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, each with varying hormonal, physical, and emotional changes.
- Perimenopause (4-8 years, ages 40-50): Estrogen levels decline, leading to irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.
- Menopause (average age 52): Estrogen and progesterone sharply decrease, causing hot flashes, night sweats, mood disturbances, cognitive changes, vaginal atrophy, and urinary issues.
- Postmenopause (after 12 months without a period): Ovaries cease hormone production, increasing the risk of skin and hair changes, weight gain, mood disturbances, severe vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, bone loss, and cardiovascular risk.
Overall, over 48 symptoms are linked to menopause, with three-quarters of women experiencing them and a quarter experiencing severe symptoms.
Supporting menopausal women’s health and wellness with dietary supplements
The global population of women aged 50 and over is growing substantially, expected to reach 1.65 billion by 2050. Many women seek alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), with 52% looking for alternative products and solutions. Fifty percent believe dietary supplements are the best way to support hormonal imbalances, including those related to menopause.
Dietary supplements combining vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin B5, B6, B8, B12, and magnesium) and botanical extracts represent the main nutraceutical solution available on the market. Widely used botanical extracts include black cohosh, red clover, soy isoflavones, and dong quai.
However, clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of most botanical extracts traditionally used to alleviate menopause symptoms is still limited. Further characterization of botanical extracts and a better understanding of their mechanism of action are necessary to provide women with the best care during this crucial time.
Mitigating menopausal skin and hair concerns with ceramides
During menopause, the skin undergoes significant changes primarily due to declining estrogen levels. Estrogen is crucial for collagen production and skin elasticity. As estrogen decreases, the skin thins, loses firmness, and becomes more prone to fine lines and dryness. Notably, collagen levels drop sharply during perimenopause, with about a 30% reduction in the first five years, followed by a further 2% annual decrease for the next fifteen years, leading to skin sagging. Reduced sebum production also contributes to dryness and irritation.
Another key change is the weakening of the skin's barrier function due to decreased ceramide levels in the stratum corneum. Ceramides are essential for maintaining skin barrier integrity, preventing water loss, and protecting against environmental damage. Research indicates that ceramide production decreases with age, and postmenopausal women have shorter ceramides, which can exacerbate skin dryness and fragility.
Hair thinning and loss are also common during menopause. The decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels affects the hair growth cycle, resulting in a higher proportion of hairs in the telogen phase (hair loss). This leads to increased shedding and slower regrowth. Similar to their role in skin, ceramides are vital components of the intercellular lipids in the hair cuticle, providing a protective barrier. Studies show that postmenopausal women often experience drier, more brittle hair and increased shedding, potentially linked to decreased ceramide content.
CERAMOSIDES™: the benefits of phytoceramide oral supplementation in menopausal women
With the rise of holistic wellness, nutricosmetics offer new opportunities to consumers looking for natural solutions for inner beauty. Seppic, a designer of premium nutricosmetic ingredients, has developed a proprietary ingredient related to these major trends: CERAMOSIDES™. CERAMOSIDES™ is a gluten-free wheat lipidic extract containing natural phytoceramides, a beauty ally for youthful skin and stronger hair from within.
Supported by five clinical studies, CERAMOSIDES™ emerges as a valuable solution addressing skin and hair challenges related to menopause.
In 2023, a gold-standard clinical trial demonstrated significant results in a subgroup of 31 menopausal women in only two weeks and at a low dose of 30 mg/d or 70 mg/d. Seppic’s active ingredient led to a significant 19% increase in skin moisturization and an 18% improvement in skin elasticity after two months compared to a placebo. Volunteers in the study also reported positive effects on skin roughness and skin smoothness.
Another gold-standard clinical study, pending publication, conducted the same year on 36 postmenopausal women, confirmed the ingredient’s efficacy on hair growth while reducing hair loss severity. In particular, CERAMOSIDES™ improved the anagen/telogen hair ratio by 24% in this subpopulation compared to a placebo in less than three months.
CERAMOSIDES™ is available in two forms: an oil (70 mg/d) and a powder (30 mg/d), which can be used in various product concepts and formats such as capsules, tablets, soft gels, gummies, and sticks. CERAMOSIDES™ is also Kosher certified, gluten-free, and halal suitable.
Menopause brings physical and emotional challenges, including skin and hair concerns due to hormonal changes. CERAMOSIDES™ offers a natural, scientifically backed nutricosmetics solution to support women during this stage of life, enhancing their beauty and well-being.