FEM By UPSA Highlights Growing Body of Research on Non-Hormonal Menopause Support, Including Studies in Breast Cancer Survivors

Decades of research address key considerations for healthcare professionals discussing non-hormonal menopause options with patients

RUEIL-MALMAISON, France, Oct. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FEM By UPSA is highlighting the body of research behind FEM Meno, a non-hormonal dietary supplement formulated with Pure CyTonin^®, a proprietary purified cytoplasmic pollen extract. The research includes clinical studies in peri- and menopausal women and women with a history of breast cancer, alongside scientific studies examining questions relevant to hormone-sensitive populations.

Finding the right approach to managing menopause symptoms isn’t always simple. Healthcare professionals must consider each woman’s medical history, personal preferences and the available research when discussing options. For women with a history of breast cancer, finding appropriate ways to manage symptoms can be especially challenging.

In the U.S., the need is substantial: hot flashes and night sweats affect up to 80% of women during the menopause transition. An estimated 1.3 million women enter menopause each year in the U.S., and more than four million women are currently living with a history of breast cancer. Coinciding with both Menopause Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, FEM is bringing greater attention to the research available to healthcare professionals evaluating non-hormonal approaches for these patient populations.

“What sets this research apart is its rigor and breadth. We’ve examined Pure CyTonin^® through multiple types of scientific and clinical study, asking not only whether it works, but how it works and the safety questions that matter to clinicians that aim to improve women’s midlife health,” said Barbara Vega, Ph.D., Global Medical and New Product Development Director at Sérélys Pharma, part of UPSA Group.

The Scientific Research Behind FEM Meno

Breast cancer research is part of a broader evidence base supporting FEM Meno and its core Pure CyTonin^® technology. UPSA’s supporting research includes ten clinical studies and six additional scientific studies across finished formulations and the pollen extract itself, examining menopausal symptoms, quality of life, mechanism of action, and safety.

Among that research:

• Randomized placebo-controlled menopause data: One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the pollen-extract formulation in 64 menopausal women, 54 of whom completed the study. 65% of women receiving the formulation reported a reduction in hot flashes compared with 38% receiving placebo; diary-recorded hot flashes also declined relative to placebo after three months.
• Clinical findings in surgical menopause: A 2021 randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluated the pollen-extract formulation in 90 women with surgical menopause, and reported a reduction in menopausal symptom severity after 12 weeks in 88.9% of women receiving the formulation, compared with 20% receiving placebo.
• Broader symptom and quality-of-life research: Additional observational studies have examined symptom improvements across peri- and postmenopause. A three-month study involving 108 peri- and postmenopausal women reported improvements in hot flashes, night sweats and other menopausal symptoms. A separate six-month study compared purified pollen extract with soy isoflavones and no treatment, reporting improvements in hot flashes, menopausal symptom scores, and sleep quality among women receiving the pollen extract.
• International scientific review: Pure CyTonin^® has also been reviewed in a published International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (ISGE) statement, which considered the available preclinical and clinical evidence, safety data, and non-estrogenic profile in its assessment of Pure CyTonin^® as a potential option for managing menopausal symptoms.

“There is a clear need for credible, well-studied non-hormonal options for women experiencing menopausal symptoms, particularly those for whom hormone therapy may not be appropriate,” said Dr. Steven R. Goldstein, MD, Clinical Advisor to FEM. “What distinguishes this purified pollen extract is the confidence it gives me because of the way its manufacture is overseen, the fact that, unlike several SSRIs, it is safe to coadminister with tamoxifen, and that there are randomized, placebo-controlled trials showing its efficacy and safety. This gives clinicians a substantive foundation for considering where a product like FEM may fit into patient care.”

FEM Meno and Breast Cancer-Relevant Research
The research behind Pure CyTonin^® spans five published primary studies relevant to women with a history of breast cancer. Together, these studies address important questions for healthcare professionals evaluating non-hormonal approaches to menopausal symptoms in this population:

• Clinical findings in breast cancer survivors: A 2024 randomized study involving 39 survivors found a 37% reduction in average weekly hot flashes from baseline among women receiving Pure CyTonin^® after three months. In a 2021 case series involving 12 women, 58% reported no or mild hot flashes after three months, compared with 0% at baseline.
• Estrogen-related activity: A 2012 preclinical study found no estrogen-like effects under the conditions tested, while a 2018 study found no increased growth in the two breast cancer cell lines evaluated. Additionally, a 2005 clinical study also reported no significant changes in the hormone levels measured during treatment.
• Tamoxifen metabolism: A 2015 laboratory study found that the extract had minimal impact on CYP2D6, an enzyme that helps the body activate tamoxifen, a medication used to treat breast cancer.
• Potential mechanism of action: In vitro research has investigated the pollen extract’s effects on serotonin pathways, while additional laboratory research published in 2025 examined dopamine and GABA pathways, exploring potential non-hormonal mechanisms of action involving the central nervous system.

“The evidence addresses both symptom improvement and important safety questions for women who
need or prefer a non-hormonal option,” said Dr. Amanda H. Corbett, PharmD, Clinical & Scientific Advisor
to FEM.

Continuing The Conversation With U.S. Healthcare Professionals
FEM will be exhibiting and presenting its body of research and evidence at the forthcoming event, Survival Skills for Women’s Health Fall 2026: Experts Teach Menopause, taking place November 6–8 in Arlington, Virginia, to educate U.S. practitioners focused on midlife women's health first-hand about how this proprietary ingredient and science may meet patient needs.

To learn more about FEM Meno, visit the FEM website.

About FEM By UPSA
FEM By UPSA is a women’s health brand focused on non-hormonal dietary solutions for women’s health, including perimenopause, menopause and urinary health. FEM combines more than 25 years of specialized women’s health research from Sérélys Pharma with the pharmaceutical heritage of UPSA, a global healthcare company founded in France in 1935 and present in more than 60 countries. UPSA acquired Sérélys Pharma in 2024, bringing its science and technology into FEM By UPSA’s growing women’s health portfolio. FEM emphasizes scientific substantiation, formulation consistency, and high-quality manufacturing to better support women’s health and aging. FEM is trusted by millions of women worldwide.

FEM Meno: Frequently Asked Questions
What is FEM Meno?
FEM Meno is a non-hormonal dietary supplement from FEM By UPSA formulated to support women experiencing menopausal symptoms. It contains Pure CyTonin^®, a proprietary purified and specific cytoplasmic pollen extract produced through patented technology.

What is Pure CyTonin^®?
Pure CyTonin^® is a purified and specific cytoplasmic pollen extract used in FEM by UPSA’s women’s health dietary supplement portfolio. The manufacturing process removes the pollen grain’s outer shell while preserving the material inside. The underlying pollen-extract technology has also appeared in published research under international product names including Sérélys^®, Femal^®, and Femelis Meno.

How much research has been conducted on the pollen-extract technology used in FEM Meno?
UPSA’s current FEM Meno research library includes 10 clinical studies and 6 additional scientific studies examining areas including hot flashes, quality of life, symptom improvement, proposed mechanisms of action, and safety-related questions. The research portfolio includes randomized placebo-controlled studies as well as observational, preclinical, and other scientific studies.

Is FEM Meno a hormone therapy?
No. FEM Meno is a non-hormonal dietary supplement. Research has also examined whether the pollen extract demonstrates estrogen-like activity, including preclinical studies that found no estrogen-like effect under the conditions tested.

Precautions for use: Not for pregnant women or children. If you are allergic to pollen, consult your healthcare provider before use. If you are taking prescribed medication or have a history of hormone-sensitive conditions, speak to your doctor before starting any new supplement.

Company Contact

Vivian Ni
vivian.ni.ext@upsa-ph.com

Media Contact
Laura Bastardi
MWW Health
UPSA@mww.com