The Hormone Lifecycle Journey: From Menstruation to Menopause

The Importance of Focusing on Women’s Health

While the life expectancy of both men and women has risen over the last 200 years, this does not always translate to a better quality of life. Women may be living longer, but the extra years are spent in poor health due to the disparity in women’s health research, data, care, and investment. The women’s health gap equates to 75 million years of life lost per year and can affect other areas of a woman’s life too- a woman will spend approximately nine years in poor health, negatively affecting her ability to be present and/or productive at home, in the workforce and in the community¹.

Addressing the gender health gap, while crucial for women, benefits everyone. Investments in women’s health could add years to life and life to years, potentially boosting the global economy by 1 trillion USD annually by 2040 1. In fact, for every $1 USD invested in women’s health, around $3 USD is projected in economic growth – a significant return on investment.

As more and more women prioritize their long-term wellbeing, they are seeking products that not only address immediate health concerns but support their quality of life at every stage. Companies who empathize and understand women’s evolving health priorities are seen as more credible by these informed and empowered consumers.

The Hormonal Lifecycle

The hormone lifecycle represents a unique journey for every woman. Beginning with menstruation and continuing into late age with menopause, it spans across a woman’s whole life. Hormones are crucial for regulating various bodily processes, including appetite, metabolism, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles, sexual function, body temperature, and mood. Achieving the right hormone balance is essential for meeting women’s needs and maintaining their overall wellbeing.

50% of global female consumers state they are concerned about women’s health issues , such as menopause and hormonal imbalances, menstruation, and fertility. When it comes to health, 48% of women are prioritizing hormonal balance².

Thanks to advances in medical research and more open dialogues, the link between hormonal imbalances in women and health problems such as mood swings, weight gain, and reproductive issues is now more widely acknowledged.

Menstruation

The introduction of menstruation during adolescence is the beginning of the hormonal lifecycle and fertility. Hormonal fluctuations of oestrogen, progesterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) across an average of 28 days prepare the ovaries and uterus for pregnancy or menstruation.

The menstrual cycle (Figure 1) is divided into four phases: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Each phase has unique hormonal changes, physical symptoms, nutrient requirements, and emotional states.

Figure 1. The Menstruation Cycle

For more information on nutritional and physical activity recommendations across the menstrual cycle see here.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common hormonal disturbance affecting an estimated 6-13% of women of reproductive age and up to 70% of cases are undiagnosed.

PCOS is a female-specific endocrine disorder related to a deficiency of inositol, a type of sugar made by the body which aids in balancing chemicals that control blood sugar and fertility, and specifically a systemic deficiency in the D-chiro-inositol and ovarian deficiency in Myo-inositol.

Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome can differ from person to person but often include irregular or absent menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth on hair or body, acne and weight gain. PCOS is also the most common cause of female infertility.

Lifestyle interventions such as physical activity and a balanced diet can improve some symptoms of PCOS. Considering PCOS causes one in three cases of female infertility and affects 6 – 13% of women of reproductive age, there’s demand for naturally derived and science-backed solutions to support those living with PCOS³.

A combination of a patented combination (1:3.6)  of Myo-inositol (from corn phytin) and D-chiro-inositol (made from the carob tree, a Mediterranean tree used for its nutritional and medical properties) has been found to support the hormonal and metabolic balance in a woman’s reproductive cycle, promoting fertility and wellbeing, showing excellent clinical results, with increased pregnancy rates, decreased miscarriage rates and improved live birth rates^4,5,6,7.

Menopause

For far too long, menopause was a topic shrouded in stigma and largely ignored by both society and the medical community. This silence forced countless women to navigate this transition alone, often without the support or resources they needed.

‘The menopause lifecycle’ is the period of time from peri to post menopause.

• • Perimenopause is the transition to menopause, typically lasting 3-7 years where menstrual periods become irregular and symptom onset occurs.
  • Postmenopause is the time after a woman has gone without a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. While symptoms typically last 4 years from their final period, women may spend up to 40% of their lifetime in their postmenopausal years⁸.

Menopause describes the stage of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently due most notably to a gradual decline in the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that regulate the growth, development, and physiology of the human reproductive system, and are also involved in the neuroendocrine, skeletal, adipogenesis and cardiovascular systems. Estrogen has a protective effect on bone density, as this hormone declines during and after menopause, there is an increased risk of osteoporosis. It is therefore important that interventions such as high calcium diet and physical activity are part of a woman’s daily lifestyle habits to protect bone density and quality of life in later years.

Figure 2. The Mechanism of Action Behind Menopause Symptom Onset

Menopause results as the consequence of reduced ovarian function, with changes in estrogen leading to the onset of symptoms. Estrogens are a hormone that regulate the growth, development, and physiology of the human reproductive system, and are also involved in the neuroendocrine, skeletal, adipogenesis and cardiovascular systems. There are two main estrogen receptors (ER) that mediate estrogens biological actions. These are ER- α and ER-β. These receptors are located in different tissues in the human body, regulating different functions. The lower levels of estrogens during menopause reduces the activation of these receptors in the different tissues, causing menopause symptoms.

With 1 Billion women estimated to be experiencing menopause in 2025⁹, and 80% of these individuals experiencing symptoms¹⁰, menopause is more than just a women’s health issues: it’s a societal health issue with far-reaching impacts. Given the more than 45 possible symptoms that can affect a woman’s physical, cognitive, mental, and social wellbeing, there is an urgent need for effective and innovative solutions. These advancements hold the potential to greatly enhance the quality of life for millions of women and their families worldwide.

The use of herbal, plant-based treatments for managing menopausal symptoms has gained popularity as many women seek natural alternatives, with 33% of consumers taking supplements to support their health through menopause.

As a traditional Ayurvedic ingredient, ashwagandha is a natural adaptogen that reduces the negative impacts of stress on the body by managing cortisol levels ¹¹. Ashwagandha supports cognitive health by alleviating stress, improving sleep quality, enhancing mood, amplifying energy levels, and sharpening focus¹². Research in this area has also shown that supplementation with ashwagandha has resulted in reduced invasive menopause symptoms, vascular dysfunction, and bone turnover/resorption, as well as inflammation and oxidative stress associated with estrogen deficiency in post-menopausal women ¹³.

Phytoestrogens have also been found to have positive effects on menopause symptoms, reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flushes. Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. 8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN), one of the strongest known phytoestrogens, showed a 40% reduction in hot flashes and a 32% improvement in symptoms of nervousness, fatigue, and excessive sweating, making it an effective solution for supporting menopausal and post-menopausal health.

Conclusion

Changes in hormones present unique female health challenges from menstruation to menopause, with almost 50% of women prioritising hormonal balance., Menopause is one of the key stages in a woman’s hormonal lifecycle where significant changes occur, directly impacting an individual’s health.

Clinically supported, natural solutions that address symptom management, such as myo-inositols, ashwagandha and phytoestrogens present an opportunity for women to be supported throughout the hormonal lifecycle, and for quality of life to be improved through dietary supplementation.

For more on women’s health, read our guide on the Unique Health and Nutritional Needs of Women.

• References
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  2. Euromonitor, 2022: Supporting Women’s health and wellness through the lifecycle – Supporting Women’s Health and Wellness Through the Lifecycle – Euromonitor.com
  3. WHO., 2025 – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Fact Sheet Polycystic ovary syndrome
  4. Mendoza N, Diaz-Ropero MP, Aragon M, Maldonado V, Llaneza P, Lorente J, Mendoza-Tesarik R, Maldonado-Lobon J, Olivares M, Fonolla J. (2019) Comparison of the effect of two combinations of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing ICSI: a randomized controlled trial. Gynecological Endocrinology, 35:8, 695-700. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1576620
  5. Mendoza N, Galan MI, Molina C, Mendoza-Tesarik R, Cristina Conde C, Mazheika M, Diaz-Ropero MP, Fonolla J, Tesarik J, Olivares M. (2020) High dose of D-chiro-inositol improves oocyte quality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing ICSI: a randomized controlled trial. Gynecological Endocrinology, 36:5, 398-401, doi: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1681959
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  8. The Society for Women’s Health Research Menopause Working Group: (2021) Menopause preparedness: perspectives for patient, provider,
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