Expected to enter the market later this year, Fenavari is backed by clinical science published in the journal Women’s Health Reports showing the ingredient supports seven key concerns associated with midlife hormonal changes, including fewer instances of hot flashes and night sweats, maintenance of healthy hormonal balance, and support for sleep quality, mood, occasional feelings of anxiety and sexual wellness.
“Shatavari may be trending, but both shatavari and fenugreek have a long history of use in women’s health,” Keya Shah, senior director, women’s health category, OmniActive, said about the two botanicals that comprise Fenavari. “Fenavari harnesses the power of both botanicals in one clinically studied, integrated extract, giving brands and doctors a natural solution for the full menopausal journey. In fact, we recently conducted a survey and found nine out of 10 healthcare professionals said they’d recommend Fenavari to their patients to help address symptoms associated with hormonal changes during menopause.”
OmniActive screened 42 botanicals to identify the most promising solutions for women navigating perimenopause and menopause. Although shatavari is an emerging women’s health botanical, OmniActive did not want to develop another standalone ingredient for an increasingly crowded market. By identifying the complementary biology of shatavari and fenugreek, the company developed Fenavari to deliver a synergistic, multi-pathway support for women throughout perimenopause and menopause. The company said the approach enables brands to capitalize on the growing interest in shatavari while differentiating with a clinically studied, science-supported botanical solution.
Fenavari may also reduce the need for multiple symptom-specific supplements, according to OmniActive, which funded the study.
Complementary botanicals
Menopause, an age-related permanent cessation of ovarian function, is caused by declining estrogen and progesterone levels. On average, menopause typically occurs around 51 years old with women suffering from increased risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia. Additionally, women can experience sleep disturbances and psychological symptoms like anxiety, mood swings and irritability.
During the menopause transition, as estrogen levels naturally spike and decline, the body’s thermoregulatory system can become dysregulated. Increased activity of kisspeptin (KP), neurokinin B (NKB), and the heat-sensing receptor TRPV1 in the hypothalamus stimulates the release of GnRH, followed by elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Those hormonal changes increase norepinephrine activity, widening blood vessels and triggering vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. The body’s internal “thermostat” becomes more sensitive, making women more likely to experience sudden feelings of heat, sweating and temperature fluctuations.
Although hormone therapy—either estrogen alone or combined with progesterone—is used to address menopausal symptoms, it is not without side effects, including stroke and cardiovascular disease with long-term use.
Herbal supplements with estrogenic properties can reduce symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Phytoestrogens occur naturally in plants as chemical compounds that mimic the structure and function of estrogen to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) are herbs used in traditional medicine that can alleviate menopausal symptoms
The two botanicals are co-extracted to provide complementary steroidal saponins, a class of bioactive compounds that work through multiple biological pathways involved in the menopausal transition. They support several of the body’s interconnected systems that are affected, as hormone levels naturally change, rather than targeting just one symptom.
Fenavari combines fenugreek and shatavari which act on several complementary mechanisms simultaneously. Their phytoestrogenic compounds help support healthy hormone levels of estradiol and FSH. At the same time, the botanical combination helps reduce oxidative stress, supports a healthy HPA axis, important for cortisol and dopamine, and could downregulate thermoregulatory markers including KP, NKB, cFOS, and TRPV1. The ingredients help support healthy hormone balance, a balanced occasional stress response, and menopause-related temperature regulation. Together, these actions help ease discomforts related to some of the underlying biological changes associated with menopause, rather than just looking at one area, like vasomotor symptoms, OmniActive said.
Study details
In the randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study included 138 women aged 40 to 60. Fenavari demonstrated significant improvements compared to placebo across key parameters. Women taking either a 300 mg or 500 mg dose experienced a decrease in menopause symptoms as early as day 14 of supplementation. At the end of the study, Fenavari demonstrated:
● Up to 52% reduction in hot flashes at 300 mg and up to 61% at 500 mg
● Up to 47% reduction in night sweats at 300 mg and up to 51% at 500 mg
● Support for sleep quality
● Support for mood and occasional feelings of anxiety
● Support for sexual wellness
● Support for healthy hormonal balance, including significant increases in estradiol and decreases in FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone).
“Fenavari utilizes the distinctive phytochemical profiles of fenugreek and shatavari, extracted through our proprietary Integrated Actives technology to provide a highly bioactive extract standardized to 6% shatavarin IV and 4% protodioscin using HPLC method,” said Abhijeet Morde, vice president, early discovery and translation science, OmniActive. “This integration enhances their complementary phytoestrogenic and adaptogenic properties allowing for a more comprehensive approach to wellness for women entering their midlife and beyond. We remain committed to advancing our clinical research program for Fenavari in order to further substantiate its scientific foundation.”
Source: Women’s Health Reports. doi: 10.1177/26884844261465161. “Dose-Dependent Efficacy of a Combined Standardized Extract of Fenugreek and Shatavari on Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Authors: Roopa Nanjangud Kashinath et al.
