AB-Biotics/Kaneka Probiotics’ Blend Supports Estrogen Modulation, Symptom Improvement During Menopause

A three-strain probiotic blend developed by AB-Biotics and Kaneka Probiotics was shown in a recent clinical study to modulate estrogen and improve menopause-related symptoms and self-reported quality of life scores in peri- and post-menopausal women. The findings were published in the journal of the Menopause Society, Menopause.

The three-strain formulation, featuring Levilactobacillus brevis KABP 052, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KABP 051, and Pediococcus acidilactici KABP 021, is marketed as KABP Menopause in the U.S. and Gyntima Menopause in Europe.

According to the companies, this probiotic formulation is the first that is clinically shown to demonstrate both estrogen modulation and menopause symptom improvement. The strains work by modulating a subset of gut bacteria called the estabolome, due to their involvement in estrogen metabolism.

“More than one billion women worldwide are currently experiencing or have gone through the menopausal transition, which profoundly impacts multiple aspects of health and quality of life,” said María Rodríguez-Palmero, medical director at AB-Biotics and lead author of the study. “While scientific investment and innovation in this area have expanded over recent years, consumer research suggests that the vast majority of women feel poorly served by the solutions currently available to them. Research highlights a significant unmet need in menopause care, with only around 45% of European women reporting satisfaction with available options, and only 7% of peri- and post-menopausal women in the U.S. being ‘very satisfied’ with over-the-counter options. The findings of this new study … is an important step toward changing that.”

Study Details

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled 245 peri- and post-menopausal women between the ages of 45 and 60 with mild to moderate symptoms, who received either the probiotic supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks. Participants were instructed to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle throughout the treatment period.

Over the three months, the probiotic group saw significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life scores in assessments such as the Menopause Rating Scale II (MRS-II), a self-administered health-related quality of life scale to assess the impact of physical and psychological symptoms. The most notable improvements were seen in somato-vegetative symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and heart discomfort. In the psychological domain, there were significant reductions in depressive mood and a trend toward improvements in physical and mental exhaustion. In line with these results were improved scores in the Utian Quality of Life assessment, which rates the sense of well-being in women during peri- and post-menopause.

Previous research has shown that the probiotic formula modulates estrogen levels through beta-glucuronidase (GUS) enzyme activity. The bacterial enzyme deconjugates estrogen in the gut, allowing it to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream rather than eliminated, contributing to hormonal balance. The lead strain, L. brevis KABP 052, was selected from over 80 candidates for its high GUS activity. The two other strains were chosen for their roles in strengthening the gut barrier, while also producing short-chain fatty acids and other agents to maintain a well-balanced gut microbiome.

“Together, these findings demonstrate how KABP Menopause/Gyntima Menopause can support women navigating the menopausal transition by targeting the root cause of symptoms,” said Jordi Riera, chief business officer at Kaneka Probiotics. “As demand for natural, hormone-free menopause support continues to accelerate, the need for clinically substantiated ingredients has never been greater. No other probiotic ingredient has this depth of clinical evidence for estrogen modulation, which gives supplement formulators a differentiated, science-backed foundation meeting that demand.”