When “menstrual care” is raised during the development of supplements or functional foods, many companies initially picture pain relief for dysmenorrhea.
While the demand for pain relief is substantial and the market mature, our years of research on Rafuma Leaf Extract “VENETRON” have reinforced a clear reality: the core discomforts modern women face regarding menstruation can no longer be defined by pain alone.
Mental fatigue, irritability, and poor sleep quality around menstruation frequently impair workplace performance.
A Social Structure Where “Endurance” Is the Norm
Our research reveals that 85% of female university students and 70% of working women endure discomfort from menstruation or Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Key reasons for this endurance include a breakdown in communication—believing others won’t understand—and the societal norm that enduring discomfort is simply expected.
Hesitation to take time off at work or school for menstrual symptoms, combined with resignation over a lack of understanding, subconsciously justifies this self-restraint. This environment suppresses women’s potential, ultimately reducing overall organizational productivity.
The Reality of a ¥600 Billion Economic Loss
Economic losses stemming from menstrual discomforts in Japan are estimated at ¥600 billion annually. Data shows that 80% of working women feel menstrual symptoms interfere with their work, resulting in a 20% drop in performance. Menstrual care must be treated as an essential business strategy rather than an individual issue.
The Negative Cycle Eroding the Workplace
Hormonal fluctuations from the luteal phase through menstruation trigger mental and physical difficulties. Surveys indicate PMS symptoms include irritability or anger (29.5%), fatigue and lethargy (26.4%), and sleepiness or poor concentration (18.3%).
Poor sleep degrades concentration the following day, leading to irritability, impaired judgment in meetings, workplace friction, and strained relationships. Stress then further disrupts sleep, creating a destructive cycle.
Expanding the Femcare Market Through Dietary Approaches
The domestic femcare and femtech market is expanding rapidly, projected to reach approximately ¥88.86 billion in 2025 (110.5% year-over-year).
Consumers seek more than reactive treatments like low-dose pills or painkillers taken after pain sets in. Accessible, enjoyable, and easily habitual options—such as supplements, herbal teas, and jellies—offer a proactive alternative.
Rafuma leaves have a long history of use as tea and are listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. Shifting menstrual management from endurance to daily care through functional foods will drive the market’s next growth stage.
VENETRON: Transitioning from Endurance to Care
Menstrual care is a social and corporate wellness issue that impacts economic productivity. Transforming this need into proactive care presents a significant commercial opportunity for product development.
We address this through VENETRON, standardized with hyperoside and isoquercitrin from Rafuma. Supported by extensive sleep quality data, VENETRON boasts over 150 accepted Foods with Function Claims (FFC) notifications in Japan. We continue to advance research to ease menstrual discomfort, striving for a world where every woman can thrive.