In some women, the monthly luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is associated with symptoms such as abdominal, back and breast pain, water-retention, tiredness and fatigue, and mood swings. These symptoms are usually grouped as pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Typically, the symptoms do not occur in the follicular phase and end abruptly upon menstruation.

The other period of menstrual cycle-related symptoms is the peri-menopause where the most common symptoms are hot flushes, mood swings and irritability.

Fem 10 has been specifically developed to support the female menstrual cycle at both pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal periods and to reduce the symptoms experienced by some women. Fem 10 is therefore appropriate for women who have discomfort and/or mood swing symptoms during their menstrual cycle.

Ingredients Per capsule

• Gamma linolenic acid
  (as freeze dried concentrated borage oil) 20mg
• Vitamin B6
  (as pyridoxal–5–phosphate:pyridoxine hydrochloride 1:1) 30mg
• Vitamin C (as freeze dried zinc ascorbate) 45mg
• Zinc (as freeze dried zinc ascorbate) 5.5mg
• Selenium (as L-selenomethionine) 40µg
• Agnus castus (Vitex agnus castus) 100mg
• Black cohosh root standardized extract
  (Cimicifuga racemosa) providing 1.5mg triterpene glycosides 60mg
• Feverfew flowering tops standardized extract
  (Tanecetum parthenium) providing 100µg parthenolides 20mg
• Siberian ginseng root standardized extract
  (Eleutherococcus senticosus) providing 0.4 mg eleutherosides 50mg
• Kava kava root standardized extract
  (Piper methysticum) providing 15mg kavalactones 50mg
• St. Johns wort flowering tops standardized extract
  (Hypericum perforatum) providing 0.5mg hypericin 170mg

Non-active ingredients
Vegetable magnesium stearate, silica. Capsule: cellulose & water.

Recommended intake
Two capsules per day with a meal or as professionally directed.
Keep out of reach of children.

Contra-indications
Avoid during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.

Read Customer questions and answers about Women's Health in our FAQ.

Vitex agnus castus has been shown in clinical trials to substantially reduce the symptoms associated with pre-menstrual syndrome (Lauriter et al, 1997). The effect is probably due to the flavonoids of Vitex stimulating the hypothalamus-pituitary axis (HPA) to produce lower levels of follicle-stimulating tissue (FSH) and normalizing levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) (Bohsert, 1997).

Black cohosh has been found in clinical trials to reduce hot flushes and decrease mood fluctuation in peri-menopausal women. This effect was related to a reduction in luteinizing hormone (LH). (Duker et al., 1991).

Feverfew is a well known botanical pain reliever, especially of headaches and migraines which are often associated with menstrual difficulties.

Kava kava and St John’s wort are probably the two most effective and best-known botanical relaxants and mood modulators. Kava enhances relaxation and St John’s wort alleviates feelings of depression.

Siberian ginseng is included in the formula as a general tonic and invigorating agent. It combines well with the other botanicals to produce a heightened state of relaxation and positive mood.

Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) was found in a double blind, placebo-controlled trial to significantly reduce the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (Larsen et al. 1989)

Vitamin B6 has proven efficacy in the relief of pre-menstrual syndrome.