Debuted at Vitafoods Europe, BloomEase is comprised of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) extract and marine magnesium, and is designed to address both physical pain and mood-related symptoms.
These properties give the ingredient a unique edge over traditional women’s health solutions, according to Leslie Lannebere, international marketing manager at Nexira.
“Most solutions on the market tend to focus on a single symptom category—for example, menstrual discomfort, mood, sleep or stress. However, PMS is multifactorial and impacts women both physically and emotionally throughout the cycle,” she told NutraIngredients.
“BloomEase was specifically designed to address this complexity through a dual-action combination […], targeting both physical discomfort and emotional well-being, before and during menstruation.”
Acknowledging “the full PMS experience”
The women’s health supplement market is growing rapidly, with most estimates valuing the market at somewhere between $57 and $66 billion, up from around $41 billion in 2023, according to Global Market Insights.
Growth is happening across a diverse array of categories, with UK-based retailer Holland & Barrett reporting a 22% year-on-year uplift in sales for products which support pregnancy, fertility, menopause and hormones.
Compared to other categories, the menstrual health category is still fairly small. However, it is growing quickly, with Research and Markets reporting a CAGR of 7.8%, attributed to rising consumer awareness of PMS and menstrual health and increased inclination towards ‘natural’ remedies.
PMS—which is defined as a combination of physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms that occur 1-2 weeks before a period—is a key area of concern for many women and girls. Research suggests that roughly eight in 10 women experience menstrual pain and up to 30% experience severe premenstrual symptoms, such as fatigue, mood changes, bloating or cramping, and breast tenderness.
Nexira therefore designed BloomEase to address multiple symptoms at once, making it an ideal ingredient for PMS support solutions, period comfort formulas, emotional balance products and sleep and relaxation combinations, according to Lannebere.
“We believe the market is evolving towards more holistic and science-backed women’s health solutions,” she said. “Consumers increasingly expect products that acknowledge the full PMS experience rather than addressing isolated symptoms, and this is exactly where BloomEase fits.”
Research and formulation opportunities
Yarrow has been used as a natural remedy for menstrual pain for thousands of years. Research suggests it works by blocking the enzyme which produces prostaglandins (which make the uterus contract), thereby helping uterine muscles relax.
Meanwhile, magnesium, which also inhibits the production of prostaglandins, can help with tiredness and fatigue, as well as supporting normal psychological function.
To test the combination, Nexira conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 167 women over four menstrual cycles. While the study is yet to be published, Lannebere said the findings demonstrate significant benefits from the very first cycle.
“[The research found] a significant reduction in menstrual pain intensity versus placebo, up to 50% reduction in breast tenderness, significant improvements in mood-related parameters—including stress, irritability, fatigue and sleep disturbances—and a 52% improvement in the impact of discomfort on quality of life after two cycles,” she said.
The research was based on a once-daily dose of 520 mg, which can be incorporated into a variety of supplement formats, including capsules, stick packs, powders and gummies.
“The effective daily dose of 520 mg is highly formulation-friendly while also providing enough magnesium to support authorized EU health claims related to psychological function and reduction of fatigue,” Lannebere said.
BloomEase is available globally and is aimed at manufacturers and brands worldwide seeking science-backed women’s health ingredients.
