Celebrating International Women's Day: Highlighting research on women's health and wellness, Part II
To celebrate International Women's Day (March 8), Nutritional Outlook is putting the spotlight on women's health and wellness. In this compilation, we present recent research on pregnancy and menopause.
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Women's health and wellness is proving to be a popular category already this year.
In the 2025 Nutraceutical and Natural Product Industry Outlook, Nutritional Outlook's Editorial Advisory Board members highlight trends for the nutraceutical, natural product, and health and wellness industries. David Foreman, RPh, founder and president of Herbal Pharmacist stated, "I believe that there will be a surge in the need for and the number of products specifically designed for women’s health across all stages of life. This means that we will need to do more research specifically with women and formulate finished products that fit into everyday lifestyles."
To highlight this evolving category, we compiled recent research and insights on pregnancy and menopause.
Pregnancy
The average maternal age for women in the United States has steadily risen over the past fifty years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age of mothers reached a record high of 30 years in 2019. For comparison, in 1970, the average maternal age of U.S. women was 24.6 years.
There are many reasons why women are waiting to have children at a later age. Many of these involve education and job opportunities, greater accessibility to reproductive technologies, and the ability to complete certain milestones before starting family planning. Today, 20% of women in the U.S. give birth to their first child after age 35.
The good news is there are multiple benefits for moms when starting a family later, including cognitive and longevity benefits.
The due date for folate innovation has arrived
Women across the Western Hemisphere are choosing to have children later in life, with the average maternal age in the U.S. steadily rising over the past few decades. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that nearly 20% of births in the U.S. were to mothers over the age of 35. Additionally, the proportion of first-time mothers in their 30s and 40s continues to grow each year. At these ages, women are often more financially stable and willing to invest in premium prenatal products that support their baby’s growth and development. This demand for high-quality ingredients, personalized needs, and differentiating claims, presents a significant opportunity for innovation in the premium supplement space. The market for prenatal nutrition is projected to grow steadily, with an estimated 3.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2027. At the same time, as research and product development in this space advance, consumers are seeking clearer education and guidance to make informed decisions and give their babies the best start.
Recent study erroneously concluded that prenatal supplements exceeded safe limits for heavy metals
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated the choline and iodine content claims and contaminants of 32 nonprescription and prescription prenatal multivitamins and minerals. In the study, the researchers determined that the levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium were above “USP purity limits” in 7, 2, and 13 of the prenatal vitamins and minerals, respectively. According to a statement from USP, “the limits as well as the units were incorrectly applied and that the values presented in the first publication of the study were inaccurate.”
Menopause
In the U.S. alone, more than 2 million women every year reach menopause. That translates to about 6,000 women daily. If you count 81 years as the average life expectancy, as the Mayo Health System does, women spend more than one-third of their lives in the three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
Perimenopause–when a woman’s ovaries start producing less estrogen and progesterone leading to fewer and irregular monthly periods–often starts to affect women in their early to mid-40s; however, some women show signs as early as their 30s.
After 12 months of a woman going without having her period, she is officially in menopause and can no longer become pregnant. This is followed by post-menopause, which lasts the remainder of a woman’s life.
Symptoms tend to be fewer and more mild during this period, but for some, they remain a significant challenge to their health and well-being.
In a November 14, 2024, press release, Solabia Nutrition (Maastricht, The Netherlands) announced the results of their most recent peer-reviewed clinical study on the effects of the olive leaf extract, Bonolive, on postmenopausal symptoms. Bonolive is an extract from Spanish Manzanilla olive leaves, standardized for 40% oleuropein. As noted in the press release, menopause results in a decline in estrogen, which can affect quality of life in physical and psychological ways. The study, “Olive Leaf Extract Supplementation Improves Postmenopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study on Postmenopausal Women,” was published in November 2024 in the journal Nutrients.
Study finds that probiotic blend supports estrogen levels in menopausal women
A recent study found that a novel blend of probiotics may modulate estrogen levels in healthy peri- and post-menopausal women.
The study was carried out by the French research institute Expansion Consulteam in collaboration with Virginie Florin and Nathalie Simon, who are French lifestyle influencers.
A recent April 2024 study found that a proprietary shatavari root extract, aspurūs from Waleria Healthtech Private Limited, helped alleviate symptoms of menopause.
