The benefits of a chasteberry food supplement

With its ancestral traditional use, this plant is particularly interesting for its recognized action on the female sphere.

• Chasteberry helps maintain good comfort before and during the menstrual cycle.

The benefits of PEA on menstrual discomfort

Naturally produced by the body, PEA (PalmitoEthanoylAmide) is involved in the pathways regulating sensations of perceived pain.  

• LevagenTM is a PEA-based ingredient whose clinical studies have demonstrated its efficacy and tolerance when taken orally as a dietary supplement.

The benefits of vitamin B12 and magnesium 

• Vitamin B12 and magnesium contribute to normal psychological functions and the proper functioning of the nervous system.

When to take Le Féminin ?

• Le Féminin should be taken when the need arises, in a single dose, from 2 to 4 capsules (to be evaluated according to effectiveness).
  - In prevention: 2-3 capsules / day at a rate of 3 to 4 days before menstrual discomfort.
  - During: 3-4 capsules / day during the period of discomfort.

How many capsules ?

• Children: Not recommended.
• Teenagers: From 14 years old, 2 capsules per day.
• Adults: 2 to 4 capsules per day. If after 45 min to 1 hour, 2 capsules are not sufficient, it is possible to take 1 to 2 capsules again.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Not recommended.

Duration of a shot 

• Le Féminin is taken as needed, on a one-off basis or over several days depending on the duration of PMS-related discomfort.

The biology of women

Women go through important periods in their lives: puberty, motherhood and menopause. These moments are marked by hormonal changes and physiological upheavals at the origin of manifestations impacting their life and in particular their comfort in society.

Outside of these periods, a woman's life is punctuated by her natural cycles, her rules or menstruation. On average, a woman has menstrual cycles for 38 years of her life. And while they can go smoothly, they can also be accompanied by a variety of very real and sometimes far from trivial symptoms. To date, the causes of menstrual discomfort are not necessarily well identified. But we note that diagnoses are increasingly being made (with more and more precise clinical pictures), and that health authorities are attaching more and more importance to them, even from a medical point of view [1].  

General information on the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is the set of physiological phenomena preparing the woman's body for possible fertilization. Its average duration of 28 days is more or less regular according to each woman.

The female cycle is governed by a set of hormones secreted in the brain, but also in the ovaries, which govern its 2 different phases:

1. The estrogenic or follicular phase: it begins on the first day of menstruation and lasts 14 days. It is also at the end of this phase that fertility is highest since it covers the growth of an oocyte and ovulation.
2. The progesteronic or luteal phase: also lasting 14 days, it is the post-ovulation period.

At the end of the cycle, hormonal variations influence the physiological state of the endometrium, the mucous membrane that lines the uterus, and trigger menstruation. Fine and complex, these hormonal interactions regulate the onset of menstruation from puberty, but also their frequency throughout the fertile period of a woman's life (“of childbearing age”) until menopause.

Many endogenous and exogenous factors can influence the cycles, their frequency, the associated sensations... Among these factors, if some are pathological, others such as stress, emotions, drug treatments or weight (excess or conversely too low weight) can also have a real influence.

Finally, all women are not equal in terms of cycles and their experience is very personal. Discomfort, even pain, can occur just before, during or after their period. Resorting to specific soft or medicated solutions to (re)find comfort may then be necessary.

Menstrual comfort and dysmenorrhea  

Menstrual comfort (or discomfort) is relative to each woman. Overall, it can be apprehended by the identification of more or less numerous or pronounced disorders that can occur around the cycles and literally harm the quality of life.

Among these disorders, menstrual pain occupies a preponderant part. Also called dysmenorrhea, they are part of chronic pelvic pain (APC) and are characterized by cramps. These pains in the lower abdomen can also be accompanied by headaches or headaches, transit problems, even vomiting, and extend to the back.

Dysmenorrhea is qualified as primary when no pathology is associated with it, and as secondary in the presence of structural pathology such as endometriosis. Primary dysmenorrhea affects adolescents and young women more, while secondary dysmenorrhea occurs later in women's lives.

premenstrual syndrome

Very well known in women, this syndrome is characterized by 2 types of manifestations:

• psychic inconveniences: anxiety, irritability, low energy, mood swings, etc.,

  physical discomfort: pain and dysmenorrhea.

PMS is therefore a psycho-physiological syndrome inducing in particular an inflammatory state with the presence of pain [2].

The physiological phenomena of PMS can appear between 7 to 10 days before menstruation and generally end a few hours or a few days after their start. After the period of menstruation, there is usually a complete disappearance of symptoms.

Today, the origin of these menstrual manifestations is still unclear, but the hormonal variations of the female cycle would certainly be involved.

Pain in premenstrual syndrome

We perceive physical pain through very fine electrophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms in our body. In the case of PMS, it is called nociceptive pain. This type of pain differs from so-called neuropathic (or neurogenic) pain related to damage to a nerve or a problem in the nervous system.

Nociception is a neurophysiological system that allows our body to detect lesions or potential threats to its integrity (burns, cuts, trauma, etc.). The pain experienced results from messages sent by nerves (nociceptors) in response to damage to injured or irritated tissue. More technically, the pain is perceived by excess of nociception, that is to say an excessive stimulation of the nerves located in the skin or the viscera.

There are several stages in the pain circuit:

• A tissue lesion (skin, bone, muscle, etc.) or a visceral manifestation can transmit an impulse to the nervous system, which is healthy (without lesion),
• A response is then set up which can be inflammatory and/or mechanical with contractions.

Depending on the frequency of pain, there are several types of pain [3]:

• Acute and brief pains,
• Chronic pain, when it lasts more than 3 months,
• Or even recurrent pain: every month, for example, as dysmenorrhea can be. These pains then become chronic

PMS being characterized by its cyclicity, it is therefore understood that it can significantly alter the quality of life of women in the event of severe pain.

Significance and Management of Menstrual Discomfort

Menstrual discomfort is therefore characterized by a variety of physical and psychological manifestations. Whether we consider chronic pelvic pain (including dysmenorrhea) or PMS, all appear to be disorders with a high prevalence in the French female population, and even more widely worldwide. It is estimated that about 20 to 40% of women of childbearing age are affected by premenstrual syndrome and 40% suffer from chronic pelvic pain during their periods [4,5].

With poorly understood causes, it can be complex to find appropriate solutions to relieve menstrual discomfort. Among the proposed solutions are:

• The contraceptive pill: it is prescribed especially in young women in order to regulate their menstrual cycles and moderate the associated pain.
• Analgesics: of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory type, they reduce painful sensations

In addition to these medicinal measures, we must remember the importance of a healthy lifestyle (diet, sleep, physical activity, etc.) which can significantly improve the quality of life.

For health authorities, menstruation and its psycho-physiological environment are part of public health issues. And if we consider the high prevalence and the frequent use of drug solutions, we understand the health impact and the cost that PMS and menstrual disorders can represent [6].

PEA, an obvious molecule with still under-exploited potential

PalmitoylEthanolAmide (PEA)

PEA is one of the N-acylethanolamines belonging to the large family of cannabinoids.

Involved in our nervous system, these N-acylethanolamines are lipid type mediators (they are composed of a fatty acid and an ethanolamine) which are involved in various body protection mechanisms.

One of the remarkable properties of PEA is its chemical structure very close to those of the endocannabinoids involved in our endocannabinoid system (and yes we also synthesize some!) to which we owe, among other things, the maintenance of the balance of the organism and the management pain. Our body naturally induces the production of PEA according to its needs, and more particularly when the pain circuit is set in motion under the effect of a tissue lesion (stimulation of the inflammatory response or nociceptive fibers).

PEA is therefore an obvious molecule in maintaining the body's cellular health [7,8].

PEA was discovered in 1939 and isolated in 1957. Since then, it has never ceased to fascinate the scientific community and its clinical applications are already numerous. For more than half a century, we have known in particular that taking PEA orally can amplify its natural signaling and action in pain management. In the context of nociceptive pain, the referenced oral intake doses range from 300 to 1,200 mg of PEA over periods of 3 weeks to 1 year. All of the existing clinical data indisputably proves the level of benefit, tolerance and safety of taking oral PEA as a supplement [9–12].

But if to date its scientific base is extremely solid, its therapeutic applications are still little exploited.

And to make the most of its benefits, it is necessary to take into consideration its lipid nature which gives it low solubility and bioavailability. Thus, for effective intake of PEA, it is necessary to guarantee:

• either a sufficient dosage: ideally based on clinical trials that have validated the effectiveness of the dose,
• or optimized bioavailability: ideally also verified by clinical trials to ensure that a lower dosage is indeed effective.

The interesting combination: PEA and polydatin   

Polydatin is a natural precursor of the well-known resveratrol that sparked scientific enthusiasm in the 90s. The superior bioavailability of this resveratrol analogue makes it an ideal active candidate for clinical studies [13,14]. In the literature, the therapeutic potential of polydatin is documented in different clinical applications [15–17]. And it is studied in particular in association with the PEA. To date, 4 clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy of the PEA-polydatin duo on the female sphere in relation to nociception and menstrual discomfort [10,18]. These studies show, on the one hand, the benefits of a low dose of polydatin combined with PEA and the relevance of this combination, but also the safety and tolerance of taking polydatin.

Chaste tree: the reference active ingredient for feminine comfort

The chaste tree, Latin name Vitex agnus-castus (and also called wild pepper, monk's pepper, chaste lamb, or even pepper tree), is a shrub from the Mediterranean basin also present in Europe and Central Asia. As a medicinal plant, chaste tree has a long history [19] in which its traditional use is mainly established in the treatment of menstrual discomfort and referenced in the European monograph [20].

In the literature, although they are still few in number, the results of clinical studies are encouraging as to its potential in the context of PMS and rather suggest that chasteberry does not represent a solution on its own. Additional clinical studies would make it possible to truly conclude on its potential in the female sphere [21–23].

The Nutri&Co formula: complete support for menstrual comfort

Proposing a good dietary supplement for menstruation targeting female inconveniences related to the menstrual cycle would not be relevant without truly understanding the physiology of women during these cycles. The multiplicity and specificity of these manifestations undoubtedly require solid scientific support. These were therefore our convictions in developing Le Féminin.

Le Féminin is therefore a formula designed for the comfort of cycles and which revolves around 3 active ingredients: 

• PEA, derived from the ingredient LevagenTM: for its involvement in nociception.
• Chaste tree extract (Vitex agnus-castus): for its traditional use in the treatment of menstrual discomfort.
• An extract of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum): as an interesting source of polydatin in combination with PEA.

Focus on the star active ingredient: LevagenTM with its PEA

We have selected the ingredient LevagenTM containing PEA and with its own 6 clinical studies to its credit. Moreover, by constantly investing in its characterization and the clinical development of its potential, its producer Gencor has considerably contributed to enriching the data on PEA and its clinical applications.

In our formula, LevagenTM provides 830 mg of PEA in 4 capsules: a maximum dose adapted and remaining adjustable in case of lower need (taking 2 to 4 capsules).

Magnesium and B12 to target the nervous system

Because PMS includes psychic manifestations, we supplemented PEA and herbal extracts with magnesium and vitamin B12. Our magnesium is the patented ATA-Mg® magnesium, an encapsulated magnesium to guarantee its good assimilation at the cognitive level, even in small doses

The Feminine therefore offers a complete action and forgets nothing: comfort of the AND cycles of the nervous system.

References

1. Vie Publique Femmes : Faire Tomber Le Tabou Des Règles Available online: https://www.vie-publique.fr/en-bref/273656-rapport-parlementaire-sur-les-menstruations-des-femmes.
2. Nagy, H.; Khan, M.A. Dysmenorrhea; 2021;
3. INSERM Douleur Un Symptôme Fréquent, Parfois Vécue Comme Une Fatalité Available online: https://www.inserm.fr/dossier/douleur/.
4. INSERM Endométriose Une Maladie Gynécologique Fréquente Mais Encore Mal Connue Available online: https://www.inserm.fr/dossier/endometriose/.
5. INSERM #PayeTonCycle : C’est Quoi Le Syndrome Prémenstruel ? Available online: https://www.inserm.fr/c-est-quoi/payetoncycle-cest-quoi-le-syndrome-premenstruel/.
6. Graz, B.; Savoy, M.; Buclin, T.; Bonvin, E. Dysménorrhée : patience, pilules ou bouillotte ? Rev. Médicale Suisse 2014, 4.
7. Rankin, L.; Fowler, C.J. The Basal Pharmacology of Palmitoylethanolamide. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 7942, doi:10.3390/ijms21217942.
8. Nibber, T. Palmitoyléthanolamide (PEA): La Molécule à Cibles Multiples ACTEUR CLÉ DU SYSTÈME ENDOCANNABINOÏDE. AOR.
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10. Artukoglu, B.B.; Beyer, C.; Zuloff-Shani, A.; Brener, E.; Bloch, M.H. Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis. Pain Physician 2017, 10.
11. Clayton, P.; Hill, M.; Bogoda, N.; Subah, S.; Venkatesh, R. Palmitoylethanolamide: A Natural Compound for Health Management. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 5305, doi:10.3390/ijms22105305.
12. Davis, M.P.; Behm, B.; Mehta, Z.; Fernandez, C. The Potential Benefits of Palmitoylethanolamide in Palliation: A Qualitative Systematic Review. Med. Manuscr. 2019
13. Du, Q.-H.; Peng, C.; Zhang, H. Polydatin: A Review of Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics. Pharm Biol 2013, 9.
14. Wang, H.-L.; Gao, J.-P.; Han, Y.-L.; Xu, X.; Wu, R.; Gao, Y.; Cui, X.-H. Comparative Studies of Polydatin and Resveratrol on Mutual Transformation and Antioxidative Effect in Vivo. 2015, 7.
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16. Wu, M.; Xiaoya, L.; Songzi, W.; Shengjie, Y.; Ran, Z.; Yanwei, X.; Longtao, L. Polydatin for Treating Atherosclerotic Diseases: A Functional and Mechanistic T Overview. Biomed. Pharmacother. 2020.
17. Fakhri, S.; Gravandi, M.M.; Abdian, S.; Akkol, E.K.; Farzaei, M.H.; Sobarzo-Sánchez, E. The Neuroprotective Role of Polydatin: Neuropharmacological Mechanisms, Molecular Targets, Therapeutic Potentials, and Clinical Perspective. Molecules 2021, 26, 5985, doi:10.3390/molecules26195985.
18. Indraccolo, U.; Indraccolo, S.R.; Mignini, F. Micronized Palmitoylethanolamide/ Trans-Polydatin Treatment of Endometriosis-Related Pain: A Meta-Analysis. 2017, 10.
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21. Cerqueira, R.O.; Frey, B.N.; Leclerc, E.; Brietzke, E. Vitex Agnus Castus for Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Systematic Review. Arch. Womens Ment. Health 2017, 20, 713–719, doi:10.1007/s00737-017-0791-0.
22. Csupor, D.; Lantos, T.; Hegyi, P.; Benkő, R.; Viola, R.; Gyöngyi, Z.; Csécsei, P.; Tóth, B.; Vasas, A.; Márta, K.; et al. Vitex Agnus-Castus in Premenstrual Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Trials. Complement. Ther. Med. 2019, 47, 102190, doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.024.
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