The First Time in Thailand! Winona International

The Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, in collaboration with its key partner, Winona Feminine Co., Ltd., a leader in Thailand’s health product market, reaffirms its pioneering role in continuously researching and developing the “Thai probiotic strain.”

They have launched a research project to test its effectiveness and offer an opportunity for women in the target group of menopause to participate in the study. The statistics on the health-related quality of life issues for menopausal women in Thailand have significantly increased, aiming to address these holistic health problems sustainably.

The official launch event for the “Research Project on the Effectiveness of Thai Probiotic Strains Combined with Plant-Based Hormones” was held, along with a seminar on the topic “Innovations to Enhance the Quality of Life for Women Aged 40+”.

The event was attended by Dr. Amornin Nakwichear, Associate Dean of Administration and Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, and Mr. Nopparat Suksaranredee, Chairman of Winona Feminine Co., Ltd., along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Malai Taweechotchipat, Head of the Excellence Research Center for Probiotics, Associate Dean for Research, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Dr. Natcha Intra, Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wanee Chanhenchob, Chairman of the High-Value Food Subcommittee, BPC, and Mr. Ittipon Srisitthayajit, CEO of Winona Feminine Co., Ltd.

The event took place at the Phathom Boribhat Conference Room, Prasanmitr Building 3, Srinakharinwirot University, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

ครั้งแรกของไทย! “คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มศว” จับมือ “วิโนน่า” เปิดตัวโครงการวิจัยทดสอบ โพรไบโอติกส์สายพันธุ์ไทย

Dr. Amornin Nakwichear, Associate Dean of Administration and Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, stated, “Currently, Thai society is undergoing a demographic shift and entering an aging society. As a result, the health-related quality of life issues for menopausal women have significantly increased. According to data from the Civil Registration Department, Ministry of Interior, in 2020, there were approximately 20 million women aged 45 and older. The average age of natural menopause in Thai women is 51 years, although some may experience it earlier.

Menopause is a natural change that occurs in all women. It affects both physical and mental health, which can impact family relationships as well. Short-term symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and insomnia, are well known. However, what many may not be aware of is that every woman going through menopause will experience long-term effects due to hormonal deficiencies. These effects include reproductive and urinary system issues, osteoporosis, an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, menopause is considered another condition that threatens the quality of life.”

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“Currently, the primary treatment for reproductive and urinary system symptoms in menopausal women is the use of localized estrogen applied vaginally. However, this method has limitations regarding the duration of use and concerns about side effects from hormone use based on past data. Supportive treatments have not been very effective and require long-term, localized treatment, which can be inconvenient.

This has led both doctors and patients to look for new approaches focused on disease prevention. Balancing the vaginal microbiome with probiotics became the focus of this research project, a collaboration between Winona Feminine Co., Ltd. and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University. We have developed a high-quality probiotic product combined with plant extracts, particularly from soybeans, which contain mild phytoestrogen. This oral supplement is designed for postmenopausal women and is supported by the National Competitive Enhancement Fund (BPC).”

Mr. Nopparat Suksaranredee, Chairman of Winona Feminine Co., Ltd. and founder of the ‘Winona’ brand, the pioneer of Thai probiotic strains and holder of the national patent for an award-winning invention, is a leader in bringing Thai research innovation into the commercial market. He is widely recognized as the ‘WINONA MODEL.’ He stated, “Winona, as a leading health product manufacturer in Thailand, particularly in women’s hygiene, has over 8 years of expertise and experience. We have conducted in-depth studies and gathered data from our target group of menopausal women. We discovered a pain-point: approximately 16 million women in menopause face these health issues and are reluctant to consult a doctor or lack understanding of their symptoms. As a result, they do not realize the severity of the problems that gradually threaten their quality of life.

This is why it is one of Winona’s missions to support the enhancement of the quality of life for menopausal women, enabling them to live happily. We have been working continuously with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, and are proud to be part of the launch of the research project testing the effectiveness of Thai probiotic strains. This marks another significant advancement in the field of microbiological innovation for medical and health applications in Thailand.

Our goal is to bring innovations derived from biological resources in Thailand and use natural hormones to reduce dependency on chemical medications and their side effects, as well as reduce the importation of probiotics from abroad. This reflects our commitment to becoming part of the solution for the holistic health issues of menopausal women in Thailand, ensuring long-term sustainability.”

The details of this research project will involve the prototype product of Thai probiotic strains, two strains developed by the Center of Excellence for Probiotic Research, combined with plant extracts. These will be tested in a laboratory and then produced commercially as a dietary supplement for menopausal women. The effectiveness will be measured through a clinical study involving at least 120 female volunteers aged 50 and above, who will take the probiotic product combined with plant extracts for a 12-week trial period.

The aim is to test the effectiveness of the Thai probiotic strains and plant extracts in promoting a healthy microbial environment and improving symptoms related to the reproductive and urinary systems. The research also focuses on the effects of these products on blood sugar and fat levels, as well as the overall quality of life in terms of health for Thai menopausal women. This will create a new approach to menopausal women’s health care, offering an alternative to traditional hormone-based treatments for those who are concerned or find topical hormone treatments inconvenient.