Why is it that so many women accept normal menstrual or menopausal symptoms like mild period cramps, mood swings, bloating and PMS or mild hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog and low libido as an inevitable part of being female? Yet we all know someone who breezes through their menstrual cycle seemingly no worse for the wear, who doesn’t know the frustration of occasionally bleeding through super plus tampons, and who experiences an active and enjoyable sex life through menopause and beyond. We’ll have what she’s having.

When you experience mild and occasional period discomfort, breast tenderness, mood swings, bloating, brain fog or congested skin during your menstrual cycle, or if you experience mild and occasional hot flashes, night sweats, low libido or vaginal dryness during menopause, it’s easy to chalk it up to hormones. But what exactly are hormones and what role do they play in female health?

BEING HORMONAL IS BEING HUMAN

Ever been told you’re acting “hormonal”? The truth is every human being is hormonal — it helps keep you alive! Your hormones act as messengers, relaying signals across various parts of your body. Not just between your uterus and ovaries, but also to and from your thyroid, brain, bones, digestive system and more.

Hormones can be divided into 4 communication pathways:

The Ovary-Brain Axis regulates production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (yes, women have testosterone too), as well as luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin, responsible for ovulation, menstrual bleeding, lactation and menopause.

The Adrenal-Brain Axis regulates cortisol, adrenaline, and insulin, responsible for the body’s stress response, blood sugar and circadian rhythm (your sleep cycle) and influences the body’s inflammatory response.

The Thyroid-Brain Axis regulates thyroid hormones T3, T4, TSH and others, which impact energy levels, metabolism and cognitive function, and can impact hair, skin and nails. The thyroid also plays a role in menstruation and menopause.

The Gut-Brain Axis regulates gut microbiota and hormones for healthy cognitive function, including dopamine and serotonin. It also houses 70% of the body’s immune system, whose response is triggered or lessened at various times during your menstrual cycle.

The hormonal interactions in the human body don’t work independently of one another. They are intrinsically linked and constantly taking cues from the body’s external and internal environments. If you’re experiencing occasional menstrual or menopausal discomfort, your hormones may benefit from additional support.

QUIZ: ARE YOUR HORMONES ASKING FOR HELP?

Check off each normal symptom you experience below. If you check 4 or more, your hormones might need additional support so you can feel your best:

Heavy periods*†
Period cramps*†
Breast tenderness*†
PMS*†
Mood swings*
Irregular periods*
Spotting between periods*
Hormone-related skin congestion*
Bloating or fluid retention*†
Fatigue*
Trouble sleeping*
Anxiousness*†
Hot flashes*†
Night sweats*†
Vaginal dryness*†
Low libido*
Menopausal weight gain*
Brain fog*

†Mild and occasional

INTUITIVE NUTRITION FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH

Now women can optimize their health through a new scientific perspective – intuitive nutrition that addresses some of the most common, normal effects from the hormonal rise and fall that happens throughout your menstrual cycle, as well as menopause. First let’s look at the effect of hormones during each phase.

Day 1-7: Menstruation

Chart showing estrogen levels over each phase of the menstrual cycle.

Day 1 of the menstrual cycle starts the first day of bleeding. A hormone-like substance called prostaglandin triggers the uterus to shed its lining and may contribute to period cramps. Estrogen and progesterone are at an all-cycle low on Day 1, and serotonin also drops, which may cause mood swings and brain fog. The length of your period may vary; 2-7 days is the normal range, and most women report heaviest bleeding on Day 2.

Day 1-13: Follicular Phase

The first day of bleeding is also the first day of your follicular phase, the beginning of a new reproductive cycle. Estrogen and testosterone slowly increase from their cyclical low to a cycle high over the course of about 2 weeks leading up to ovulation. As bleeding slows and estrogen builds, most women report an improvement in mood, more energy and focus. If you experience mild and occasional mood swings, fatigue or brain fog during the latter part of the follicular phase, it could be a sign your estrogen levels aren’t optimal. Trouble sleeping and occasional anxiety can also indicate something is out of balance.

Day 14-18: Ovulation

It can be difficult to know exactly when you ovulate. One sign is vaginal discharge. During ovulation, cervical mucus becomes slippery and stretchy. It may resemble clear egg whites. And some women may experience mild pain in either their left or right side, depending on which ovary releases an egg in each month. Healthy ovulation is essential for optimal progesterone production later in your cycle and can affect the regularity of your menstrual cycles.

Day 14-First Day of Your Next Period: Luteal Phase

The luteal phase varies in length for all women. It is the phase between when you ovulate and when your next period begins, when the uterine lining thickens. As soon as ovulation occurs, estrogen drops dramatically, and your ovaries create progesterone —the dominant hormone during the luteal phase. You may notice an increase in mild breast tenderness, mood swings, skin congestion, oilier skin and hair, fatigue and occasional bloating or water retention during the luteal phase.

Menopause

Chart showing estrogen levels during the three stages of menopause.

Menopause is more accurately defined in three stages: perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. Perimenopause can last up to ten years and is when most women experience normal discomforts like hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, mood swings, a noticeable change in vaginal lubrication, uncomfortable intercourse and irregular menstrual cycles.

As fertility declines, your sex hormones go a bit haywire. Although estrogen levels trend down, you may experience months with higher than average levels of estrogen. Menstrual cycles may even get shorter as you get closer to menopause, defined as your final period followed by 12 months with no menstruation.

In post-menopause, your ovaries no longer make progesterone and estrogen levels are very low. Not only does this affect vaginal lubrication and your sex life, but it can have implications on cardiovascular health.

So, how do you support your body with exactly what it needs at each phase of your menstrual cycle and through the phases of menopause to help you feel your best?

EVERY PHASE. EVERY CYCLE. EVERY WOMAN.
MODERE OVA™

Product shot of Modere Ova and Modere Ova-m.

Now you can empower your body to find balance with patent-pending Modere Ova™ and Modere Ova™-m, the latest hormone-free and soy isoflavone-free advancement in female health backed by clean label bioceuticals. Unlike anything else, Ova and Ova-m work differently than most women’s health formulas. Instead of interfering with your natural hormone balance, they deliver key nutrients and potent botanicals highly studied for their ability to effectively support the female body without hormones.*

Metabolites and micronutrients like amino acids, lipids and vitamins fluctuate throughout your cycle and as you approach menopause, causing changes in your body’s energy metabolism, detoxification processes, mood and more. The Ova line targets these biochemical responses, providing support when you need it most, and supports female health, empowering women to feel their best every day of the month and through menopause.*

For menstruating women, Ova is finely tuned to your unique cycle. Instead of offering one formula you take all month long, like most menstrual health supplements, it offers 3 proprietary, science-backed formulas that target your period, your follicular phase and your luteal phase: RELEASE, RENEW and BALANCE — all in one smart blister pack.*

Menopausal women support their unique needs with Ova-m, a single hormone-free formula that targets normal symptoms like mild hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness while also providing crucial support for cardiovascular health. Plus, it optimizes mood and energy levels.*

Let’s take a closer look at how Ova and Ova-m work to help optimize female health.

MODERE OVA™

Product shot of Modere Ova.

With Ova, you now have an advanced and convenient way to achieve the health benefits of supplementing for different phases of your cycle. All 3 potent formulas are packaged in one easy-to-take blister pack that clearly outlines when to take each one to align with your menstrual cycle daily and is easily customizable with your unique cycle length.

RELEASE is taken the first 4 days of the menstrual cycle, starting with the first day you bleed. Its role is to support the body’s natural detoxification process and support your body during menstruation.*

What It Does:

  • Supports the body’s natural detoxification process*
  • Supports liver health*
  • Promotes clear looking skin*
  • Supports energy levels*
  • Supports antioxidant capacity*
  • Supports iron metabolism*
  • Supports healthy blood flow*

Key Ingredients:

  • Dong quai, an herb traditionally used to reduce mild discomfort during normal menstruation*
  • Herbs peppermint, ginger and sage shown to reduce mild menstrual cramps and occasional bloating or loose stools*
  • Clove and immortelle extract, synergistically paired to optimize liver health and detoxification*
  • Essential vitamins and minerals copper, niacinamide and magnesium

RENEW supports female health as your body prepares for ovulation and ovulates. Taken days 5-16, it supports hormones and helps optimize energy levels and mood.*

What It Does:

  • Supports hormones *
  • Supports thyroid health*
  • Provides a bioavailable source of iron*
  • Supports mental clarity*
  • Improves feelings of wellbeing*
  • Supports antioxidant capacity*

Key Ingredients:

  • Theacrine, a nature-identical alkaloid studied in 6 human trials, shown to significantly increase energy and mental clarity while reducing occasional anxiousness and fatigue without caffeine*
  • Inositol, shown to support healthy levels of hormones already within normal range*
  • Highly bioavailable and ion-neutral iron shown to absorb in the digestive tract without gastrointestinal upset
  • Highly bioavailable iodine for thyroid health*
  • Maca, an adaptogen studied for sexual health benefits*
  • Broccoli sprout extract
  • Antioxidant quercetin

BALANCE provides support post-ovulation until your next period starts, typically 8-14 days. Its role is to reduce normal and mild symptoms of PMS like mood swings, congested skin and bloating.*

What It Does:

  • Supports the endocannabinoid system*
  • Relieves mild discomfort associated with PMS: mood swings, abdominal cramps, bloating, breast tenderness*
  • Promotes clear looking skin*
  • Supports energy levels*
  • Helps enhance the absorption of key nutrients in the diet*
  • Reduces occasional stress*
  • Supports antioxidant capacity*

Key Ingredients:

  • PEA, a highly bioavailable fatty acid amide studied for its endocannabinoid effects on balancing mood, promoting sleep health and reducing mild and occasional menstrual discomfort, similar to CBD*
  • Highly bioavailable apple and ancient peat polyphenols shown to increase blood levels of ATP by up to 64% to support cellular health*
  • A micro-encapsulated, bioavailable melon concentrate shown to reduce occasional stress by 22%, improve mental performance and improve overall wellbeing*
  • Chasteberry, shown to help relieve mild and occasional symptoms of PMS*
  • Two forms of highly bioavailable zinc to support clear looking skin*
  • Soothing botanicals ginger and saffron*
  • Black pepper extract to support enhanced bioavailability of the ingredients in Balance*

Usage:

Take one capsule daily, coinciding with your menstrual cycle and beginning on the first day of your period. If your next period starts before you have finished the Balance formula in your blister pack, discontinue use and start a new pack. Ova is recommended for menstruating women ages 18+ not using hormonal birth control. Its ingredients are generally considered to be safe for women taking birth control to use, however birth control users may not experience as many noticeable benefits because hormonal birth control typically prevents ovulation. Ova does not replace a prenatal vitamin for pregnant women. If you become pregnant, discontinue use. Consult your doctor before starting any supplement regimen.

MODERE OVA™-m

Product shot of Modere Ova-m.

Women in perimenopause, typically ages 45 and older, find that their menstrual cycles become erratic and irregular before stopping altogether. Rather than trying to supplement with multiple formulas, Modere Ova-m makes it easy to get the support you need with one highly effective, soy isoflavone- and hormone-free formula taken once daily — regardless of when or if you get your period in any given month. In the post-menopause phase, Ova-m supports the specific needs of women who no longer ovulate and promotes optimal health as you age.*

Unlike many conventional approaches to menopause, Ova-m works synergistically with your body to help support female wellness without the risks associated with estrogen receptor-binding soy isoflavones. Instead, it features proprietary Estro-OS™ Complex, a potent blend of herbs and botanicals shown to be more effective than soy isoflavones at targeting normal, mild menopausal symptoms and vaginal dryness. It delivers both immediate and long-term benefits to help you enjoy an active and vibrant life well past menopause.*

What It Does:

  • Reduces mild hot flashes*
  • Reduces mild night sweats*
  • Improves sleep health*
  • Supports energy levels*
  • Reduces mild vaginal dryness*
  • Supports libido*
  • Supports mood*
  • Supports cognitive health*
  • Supports cardiovascular health*
  • Protects cells from oxidative stress*

What’s Inside:

  • A potent blend of highly studied herbs Angelica gigas Nakai, Cynanchum wilfordii and Phlomis umbrosa shown to be more effective than soy isoflavones in improving normal and mild menopausal symptoms and reducing vaginal dryness*
  • Certified organic olive extract scientifically studied for cardiovascular benefits and antioxidant capacity*
  • Sage extract to support healthy menopause and cognitive function*

Usage:

Take two capsules daily during perimenopause and post-menopause.

Empower your body to find balance through every phase of your menstrual cycle and menopause with hormone-free Modere Ova and Ova-m. Mild or occasional period cramps, breast tenderness, mood swings, low libido, vaginal dryness and hot flashes don’t have to be part of being a woman when you choose Modere, clean label supplements to help you live well.

Each woman’s cycle is different, and results may vary. For menstrual and menopausal symptoms outside the normal range, medical conditions, or when taking medication, consult your health care provider prior to use. Not for use if you are nursing or pregnant.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.