- Cepham Inc. (2025). SheVari4® Clinical Study Report: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in pre-, peri- and postmenopausal women aged 40–55, 8 weeks.
- Cepham Inc. / Biolae (2026). SheVari4® Manuscript (interim): A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in menopausal women, 8 weeks.
THE BIG PICTURE
The menopause supplement market is crowded, and most products rely on under-dosed ingredients and generic plant extracts without standardised active compounds. This article compares Meno Essential™ to other menopause supplements on the market, looking at clinical evidence, standardisation, regulatory listing, and the specific populations studied in trials. It explains why a patented, clinically trialled extract like SheVari4® performs differently from generic alternatives, and what the data shows.
Explore Meno Essential™, Biolae’s clinically trialled menopause formula.
01
The Problem with Most Menopause Supplements
Walk into any pharmacy or scroll any wellness feed and you'll find dozens of menopause supplements making big claims. The reality is less impressive.
Most products follow the same formula:
- Long ingredient lists at doses too low to match anything studied in clinical trials
- Generic plant extracts with no standardisation for active compound content, meaning potency varies wildly between batches
- Mixed-population studies, if any exist, conducted in young or healthy adults rather than women experiencing menopause
- No TGA listing, meaning the product has not been assessed by Australia’s therapeutic goods regulator for safety and evidence of efficacy
Women in perimenopause and menopause deserve better.
02
What Makes Meno Essential™ Different
Meno Essential™ is not a multi-ingredient blend. It contains one active: SheVari4®, a patented, standardised dry concentrated extract of Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) root, at 100mg per capsule, equivalent to 2g of dried root.
A patented extract, not a generic powder
SheVari4® is a proprietary extract developed and sponsored by Cepham Inc. It is standardised for consistent active compound content, ensuring every capsule delivers a predictable, evidence-based dose. Generic shatavari supplements cannot make the same guarantee.
Specifically trialled in perimenopausal and menopausal women
This is the part most supplement brands skip. SheVari4® has been studied in two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted specifically in women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.¹ ²
- Study 1 (CSR, Cepham Inc. 2025): pre-, peri- and postmenopausal women aged 40–55, 8 weeks, SheVari4® 100mg vs placebo.¹
- Study 2 (Manuscript, interim, Cepham/Biolae 2026): menopausal women, 8 weeks, SheVari4® 100mg vs placebo.²
Studying the right population matters. A result from a mixed-age study of healthy adults tells you little about how a supplement will perform in women going through menopause.
03
The Clinical Evidence
The two SheVari4® trials produced consistent results across both timepoints.¹ ²
By week 4:
- Improvements in mood and psychosocial wellbeing
- Reduction in hot flush frequency and severity
- Reduction in night sweats
- Improvements in sleep quality
By week 8:
- Improvements in physical and mental fatigue
- Improvements in sexual health
- More than 88% net reduction in overall menopause symptom scores versus placebo
- Statistically significant improvements across all four quality-of-life domains: vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual
SheVari4® maintains healthy oestrogen and testosterone levels, addressing both hormones involved in menopause, not oestrogen alone.¹ ²
SheVari4® was well tolerated in both trials, with no serious adverse events reported.¹ ²
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04
How Meno Essential™ Compares: A Side-by-Side View
| Criteria | Meno Essential™ (SheVari4®) | Generic shatavari | Black cohosh | Herbal blends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCT-level clinical evidence | Yes — two RCTs | No | Mixed; some RCTs | Rarely |
| Trialled in menopausal women specifically | Yes | No | Varies | Rarely |
| Standardised, patented extract | Yes | No | Some brands | Varies |
| TGA-listed | Yes — AUST L 526994 | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Targets both oestrogen + testosterone | Yes | No specific evidence | No | Rarely |
| Improvements across all 4 QoL domains | Yes (week 8) | No | Primarily vasomotor | Varies |
05
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SheVari4® the same as regular shatavari?
No. SheVari4® is a standardised, patented extract of Asparagus racemosus. Regular shatavari supplements are not standardised and have not been studied in the same randomised, placebo-controlled trials in menopausal women.
Does Meno Essential™ contain hormones?
No. Meno Essential™ is hormone-free. SheVari4® is a plant-derived extract that supports a healthy hormonal balance without introducing synthetic or bioidentical hormones.
How long should I take Meno Essential™?
The clinical trials ran for 8 weeks, and measurable improvements were seen at both week 4 and week 8. Take one capsule daily and give it at least 8 weeks to assess your response. Individual results will vary.
Can I take Meno Essential™ alongside HRT?
Speak with your doctor. Meno Essential™ is a TGA-listed supplement and is suitable for women not using HRT as well as those seeking additional support alongside their current HRT regimen. Your doctor can advise based on your specific health history.
EDITORIAL STANDARDS
Biolae’s commitment to informed support
At Biolae, we’re here to support women through every stage of hormonal change with science-backed care, no judgment, and no guesswork. We believe education plays a powerful role in helping you understand what’s happening in your body and how to care for it.
Our content is guided by a commitment to clarity, trust, and evidence. Everything we share is reviewed for accuracy and informed by the latest clinical research and expert insight — so you can feel confident in every step you take with us.
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