To feel your best, you need choices.
Safe, effective, non-hormonal formulations with clinically-backed ingredients
R&D process deeply rooted in innovation, backed by leading OB/GYNs and chemists
Personalized product recommendations based on your specific symptom severity
Evidence-based education from OB/GYNs, Pelvic Floor Therapists & Nutritionists
Why Kindra?
We formulate for women, by women. Harnessing the expertise of best-in-class formulators, researchers, and physicians to deliver solutions you can trust.
400+ clinical studies support our active ingredient selection
We believe hormone-free, non-prescription solutions should be put to the test: we don't skip out on novel, patent-pending formulations, rigorous lab tests, and as many consumer studies as we need to get it right.
Rigorous validation requirements from ideation to testing
From cortisol-reducing, blood-flow supporting extracts, to skin-cooling sensates, to the latest innovations in ingredients targeting key cellular pathways...we consider your body's needs at every level.
Transparency with world-class testing and manufacturing partners
FDA registered and compliant manufacturing facilities, and third party lab testing facilities in the US that clear every formula. Our supply chain and ingredient sourcing process is reviewed by Leaping Bunny to verify every product is cruelty-free.
Meet our Physicians
The Science of Menopause
What is it, and what are the symptoms? We’re so glad you asked.
What is menopause?
You’ve officially experienced menopause once you’ve gone 12 months without a period — which happens to most women in their early 50s. This happens when your ovaries make less estrogen, a key sex hormone that affects your menstrual cycle, fertility, and many other bodily functions.
People with ovaries can also experience menopause as a side effect of medical treatment, such as surgery to remove the ovaries or chemo or radiation treatment for cancer (which may damage the ovaries). They’ll likely also experience menopause symptoms, but they potentially may be more severe than people who go through natural menopause. [6]
What is perimenopause?
The years leading up to menopause, called perimenopause or the menopausal transition, are when the amount of estrogen and other sex hormones produced by your body start to fluctuate and decline. (It usually starts in a woman’s mid-40s, and can last for seven years or longer.) [3] This is when many women experience symptoms like hot flashes, irregular periods, vaginal dryness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and other menopause symptoms. [4, 5]
What is postmenopause?
The years of a woman’s life after her final period are considered postmenopause. [7] Sex hormone levels remain naturally low (but consistent) and in many cases, frustrating menopause symptoms ease up or go away altogether. Some postmenopausal women experience menopause symptoms for years after their last period. [8]
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Fun fact: There are 34 potential symptoms of menopause that you may experience during the transition. Some of the most common include:
- Irregular, heavier, or longer periods. Blame fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone, which control the menstrual cycle. [23, 24, 25]
- Hot flashes, suddenly feeling intensely hot all over your body — are likely caused in part by fluctuating estrogen levels. [26]
- Vulvovaginal atrophy: The lining of the vagina and vulvar tissues become thinner, drier, and more sensitive. This is caused by a drop in estrogen levels, which helps lubricate vaginal tissues. It can be extremely uncomfortable and make sex (or even routine gynecological care) painful and unpleasant. [29]
- Mood changes: Many women report feeling unusually irritable during perimenopause. [33]) Research is limited as to why this is, but experts believe that declining estrogen levels — which helps make the mood-regulating hormone serotonin — could play a role in perimenopausal mood changes. [34]
- Sleep issues: Many perimenopausal women have issues sleeping [35], often due to other menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood disorders, and fluctuating hormone levels. [36]
- Other symptoms of menopause you might experience include body odor changes, heart palpitations, headaches or migraines, and more. These symptoms are generally caused, either directly or indirectly, by declining estrogen levels.
You can read more about additional symptoms here.
How might these hormonal shifts impact me?
The menopause transition is a huge shift that can affect your entire body as well as your mental well-being. But some of the most significant — and in some cases, painful — changes can happen to your genital area.
Estrogen, among many other functions, helps keep the tissues of your vagina and vulva (the external area surrounding your vagina, including your labia and the opening of the vagina) lubricated and elastic. After menopause, your body’s estrogen levels are very low, which makes the lining of the vagina thinner and drier. The vagina itself might even narrow and shorten. [41] These physical changes to your vagina and vulva can cause a host of issues including itching, burning, pain during sex, vaginal atrophy (drying, thinning, and inflammation of the vagina) [42], and even bladder issues like stress incontinence and frequent UTIs — a condition known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). [43] Research estimates that as many as 70 percent of postmenopausal women have GSM. [44]
Other postmenopausal women may suffer from vulvodynia, a chronic pain condition that affects the vulva.[45] This can happen at any age, and causes stinging, burning, and irritation in the skin of the vulva itself as well as pain during sex.[46] Less is known about what causes vulvodynia, but experts believe that hormonal changes (like the ones that happen during menopause) may contribute to it. [47]
How do I know if I'm in menopause?
We can help get you started to learn more. Take our quiz here, we are here to help.
Hello, Hormones
There are a few key sex hormones whose functioning (and decline) affects menopause and its symptoms:
Estrogen
Progesterone
Follicle-stimulating hormone
the science of our products
The Daily Vaginal Lotion
About
Kindra’s Daily Vaginal Lotion restores moisture to your vulvar and vaginal tissues while supporting the skin barrier in those areas. It can help address some key symptoms of vulvar/vaginal dryness or atrophy that can happen during or after menopause, such as mild to moderate dryness, discomfort, and painful intimacy.
Why We Formulated It
The estrogen your body makes helps keep your vaginal and vulvar tissues lubricated, stretchy, and strong. As your ovaries stop producing estrogen during perimenopause, your intimate areas can become dry, sensitive, thin, and narrow.[1]
Stats
In an independent consumer study, 95% of women who applied the lotion for 3 days reported meaningful improvement in external vaginal and vulvar dryness.
Our Solution
Instead of addressing these changes with hormone therapy, which may not be for everyone — a commonly-prescribed treatment for menopause-related vaginal dryness and atrophy — Kindra’s Daily Vaginal Lotion uses other safe, clinically-backed ingredients to soothe sensitive vaginal and vulvar skin and restore moisture to the area.
Key Ingredients
Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, a water-soluble vitamin.[2,3] Decades of research have shown that when applied topically, niacinamide can strengthen the skin barrier (boosting your skin’s ability to keep moisture in and germs out) and improve skin elasticity[2, 4, 5] — making it a natural choice for our Lotion.
Vitamin E: This fat-soluble vitamin acts like an antioxidant in the body. In the skin, it may keep you from losing moisture. We wanted it in our Lotion because research has shown vitamin E can help restore vaginal tissue health in post-menopausal women almost as well as estrogen.[6]
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, making it an incredibly hydrating natural skin-care ingredient. A double-blind clinical trial found that coconut oil significantly improved skin hydration in people with abnormally dry skin.[7]
Hyaluronic Acid: This molecule is naturally produced by your body to keep your skin hydrated and flexible.[8] Research shows that hyaluronic acid may be as effective as estrogen to help address symptoms of vaginal atrophy like dry skin, changes in vaginal pH, and painful sex[9], which is why we included it in our Lotion.
the science of our products
Our Suite of Supplements
About
Kindra currently offers three science-backed supplement formulations to support your overall health and minimize certain symptoms during the menopause transition and beyond.
The Core Supplement: Taken daily to support healthy circulation, mental clarity, skin health, stress reduction, and libido. Plus - the core can support minimizing hot flashes and night sweats.
The Sleep Enhancing Supplement: Taken as needed to address poor sleep and night sweats.
The Focus Supplement: Taken daily to help manage brain fog, issues with mental clarity, fatigue, and hot flashes.
Key Ingredients
Pycnogenol: A hero ingredient in all three of our supplements, Pycnogenol is the brand name for French maritime pine bark extract. This natural ingredient has been shown in several studies to help improve certain signs and symptoms of menopause, including improvement in hot flashes, sleep issues, anxiety and irritability, and libido — making ideal for our supplement lines.[1,2] Decades of research has demonstrated its safety (with low risk of side effects) for most people.[3]
Sensoril Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha (also known as Withania somnifera) is a plant from India with a long history of medicinal use in Ayurvedic medicine. Current scientific research has shown that Ashwagandha extract can help reduce the symptoms of chronic stress and anxiety[4] and improve a person’s general well-being.[5] Plus, unlike other natural ingredients with mental health benefits (like St. John’s Wort) ashwagandha may be used safely along with certain mental health medications like SSRIs.[6] We use it in our Core and Sleep supplements to help support stress management and mental health.
Green Tea: Green tea is rich in antioxidants that have been shown to reduce inflammation, boost cognition, and benefit skin health.[7] Green tea extract (GTE), which is made from green tea leaves, has been found to improve cognitive performance and working memory in older women[8], which is why we put it in small doses in our Focus supplement.
Melatonin: This hormone is naturally produced by your body to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle. During the menopause transition, your body starts to make less of it, which may affect your sleep.[9] In small doses (just 2 mg per day), research shows that melatonin can improve sleep quality of postmenopausal women with sleep issues with minimal side effects — which is why we included it in our Sleep Enhancing supplement.[10]
the science of our products
V Relief Serum
About
Kindra’s V Relief Serum patent-pending formula specially developed with tender, sensitive intimate skin in mind - categorized by dry, irritated, hypersensitive vulvar and vaginal tissue.
Why We Formulated It
Vaginal and vulvar skin goes through significant changes during the menopause transition thanks to the decline of estrogen levels. Estrogen helps keep intimate areas lubricated, flexible, and strong; without estrogen, those areas become thinner and drier.[1] With less estrogen, vaginal pH increases, making the area less acidic[2] and more vulnerable to infections.[3]
These changes over time may cause vulvovaginal atrophy, also known as the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).[4] It has many different symptoms, including vulvovaginal dryness (VVD), vaginal pain, itching, or burning, pain during sex, decreased libido, and stress incontinence.[5] Many postmenopausal women have at least one symptom of GSM; your case of GSM is considered more severe the more symptoms you have.[6]
For women with severe GSM, intimate skin is incredibly sensitive and fragile and may tear or bleed easily. This makes even a standard OB/GYN exam painful and traumatic, and can significantly impact day-to-day life.[7]
We formulated the serum in response to customers looking to soothe their severely sensitive, irritated skin, when many intimate moisturizers or lubricants were addressing dryness alone or causing further irritation. Our formula targets cellular pathways present in the vulva and vaginal opening to help reduce both sensitivity and dryness in these areas. We also ensured the product’s pH was compatible with the postmenopausal vaginal environment — and that the ingredients list was free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and gluten — to reduce the risk of further irritation.
Stats
In an independent consumer study, 93% of women who used the serum daily for 4 weeks reported feeling more comfortable after use.
Key Ingredients
Biomimetic Peptide: Inspired from a protein in sea anemones (don't worry, scientists simply mimicked the peptide - our formulas are completely vegan), this peptide can reduce the function a receptor in skin to help reduce inflammation and sensitivity in inflamed or irritated skin.[8] Research has found when applied topically, there is a considerable reduction of skin sensitivity (including stinging and burning, a common complaint of women experiencing vulvovaginal atrophy,) when used twice daily for 28 days.[9]
Doctor Recommended
"In practice, I often wished for a ‘bridge’ solution for those patients that were so tender that the thought of applying anything was unfathomable. This serum was formulated with the latest scientific findings to help those women get what they need to move forward in their process to achieve better vulvar comfort." – Dr. Seema Shah, MD, MPH, FACOG, Kindra OB/GYN Medical Advisor
the science of our products
Soothe Bath Soak
About
Kindra’s Soothe Bath and Shower gel deeply hydrates skin, and is the first bath soak formulated specifically for women experiencing vulvar discomfort during the menopause transition. It’s free from potential irritants common in typical bath products, like synthetic fragrances, citric acid, detergents, or soaps.
Why We Formulated It
The pH of vulvar and vaginal tissue can increase as menopause progresses, as a result of estrogen decline. This may contribute to a higher risk of vaginal discomfort, dryness, and even infections like UTIs or yeast infections. Synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and certain high pH ingredients popular in many bath products can also further irritate an already sensitive intimate area.
Estrogen helps keep intimate areas lubricated, flexible, and strong; as estrogen declines during the menopause transition, vulvar and vaginal skin become thinner and drier.[1] Vaginal pH also increases, making the area less acidic[2] and more vulnerable to infections[3]. All of these factors can make your intimate skin itchy, sensitive, and painful.
Key Ingredients
Biomimetic Peptide: Inspired from a protein in sea anemones (don't worry, scientists simply mimicked the peptide - our formulas are completely vegan), this peptide can reduce the function a receptor in skin to help reduce inflammation and sensitivity in inflamed or irritated skin. [8] Research has found when applied topically, there is a considerable reduction of skin sensitivity (including stinging and burning, a common complaint of women experiencing vulvovaginal atrophy,) when used twice daily for 28 days. [9]
Doctor Recommended
[Soothe Bath Soak] takes into account the sensitivities that many women—pre, peri, and post-menopausal—have. I'm so glad that Kindra is taking the time to understand the unique needs of women in different phases of their life to offer something that they will actually find effective." – Dr. Seema Shah, MD, MPH, FACOG, Kindra OB/GYN Medical Advisor
the science of our products
Cool Down Mist
About
Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause, affecting an estimated 80 percent of women and lasting for an average of seven years. [1] While the exact cause of hot flashes is unknown, experts believe that you become more sensitive to shifts in body temperature thanks to hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause. [2] In response to increased body temperature, your body tries to cool down through sweat and vasodilation (widening blood vessels), which can trigger heart palpitations, clamminess, chills, and flushing in the neck, chest, and face – also known as a hot flash. [3] (Hot flashes that happen at night are called night sweats.) Factors like race and ethnicity, genetics, and underlying health conditions may also play a role in how severe your hot flashes are. [4]
Kindra’s Cool Down Mist helps reduce the intensity of hot flashes and night sweats during the menopause transition without the use of hormones. Simply spray on your face and skin when a hot flash strikes to feel instantly cool — a sensation that lasts for at least two hours.
Why We Formulated It
Given there is no 100% cure for hot flashes and night sweats, it’s important to have solutions that can reduce the severity of symptoms, and support relief safely over time. One way to do this is with topical skin-cooling products. Since hot flashes and night sweats can be triggered or worsened by stress, insomnia, and fatigue, pairing a solution with calming rituals, breathing exercises, and better sleep habits can bring even stronger relief. Not only that, we formulated this cooling spray without menthol, (a common ingredient in other hot flash products,) to reduce the risk of skin irritation for those with sensitive skin, or those who may need to spray throughout the day and night to keep cool.
Our Solution
Not only that, we formulated this cooling spray without menthol, (a common ingredient in other hot flash products,) to reduce the risk of skin irritation for those with sensitive skin, or those who may need to spray throughout the day and night to keep cool.
Stats
In an independent consumer study, 100% of women reported improvement in the severity of hot flashes and night sweats.
Key Ingredients
Coolact (menthoxypropanediol): This sensory agent stimulates nerve receptors in the skin to make you feel cool. In consumer studies, 75 percent of people who used Coolact said they still felt cool 60 minutes after using it, and could still feel it working after two hours. [5] It’s derived from menthol, and is part of a group of compounds that are generally considered safe to use. [6] We included it in the Cool Down Mist to help provide immediate, long-lasting relief from hot flashes.
Doctor Recommended
"A true acknowledgement of the hot flash experience." –– Dr. Seema Shah, MD, MPH, FACOG, Kindra OB/GYN Medical Advisor
The Kindra Care Plan
We’re your support team — and as we build a service for you, our friends, our family, and ourselves, we’re here to answer any questions you have, talk through anything that's on your mind, and get you the expert answers you need.
Common Questions
we've got answers
What's the deal with hormone testing and menopause?
Typically, menopause is confirmed once you’ve gone 12 months without a period. Your doctor can usually tell you if you’re going through perimenopause by talking to you about your symptoms and cross-referencing with information about your current health, family history, and other factors. [20]
In some cases, your doctor might order a blood test that looks at your FSH levels. Consistently high levels of FSH can be a sign that a person is going through menopause, especially if other menopause symptoms like hot flashes or irregular periods are also present. [21] However, these tests can be potentially misleading, since FSH levels naturally fluctuate throughout the month — making one “high” FSH test in isolation likely inconclusive. Results are also inaccurate for someone taking hormonal birth control or other hormone therapies. [22]
How is Estrogen related to hot flashes & night sweats?
Estrogen is a key hormone in thermal regulation, which is what we perceive as body temperature. What that means is, estrogen actually helps regulate your vascular system, or blood vessels. When estrogen begins to decline in perimenopause and continues to fluctuate throughout the menopause journey with an overall marked decline, women can experience thermal dysregulation.
Blood vessels are essentially not as expansive due to the estrogen decline. This constriction means menopausal women are not as sufficiently able to release excess body heat. Research suggests this may contribute to hot flashes and night sweats. The mechanism here is that oxidative stress, or an imbalance in free radicals that are key in pathways of blood vessels that can constrict and dilate as needed to regulate body temperature, is increased.
When oxidative stress is present, you can supplement with antioxidants, like clinically-studied Pycnogenol, to support vascular relaxation, allowing body heat to release, calming the sensation of hot flashes and night sweats.
In our Core Supplement for example, we have developed a safe, effective, yet potent formulation with the most clinically-effective dosage on the market in an individual capsule. The clinical results are significant, with a 65% reduction in hot flashes over an 8 week period. This is why we are super passionate about helping our community of women develop consistent regimens in managing their symptoms over time. Patience is key. Relief is possible. We offer discounts for subscribers to save monthly, to encourage consistency in our Kindra product regimens to maximize efficacy.
How is Estrogen related to cortisol?
We chose this particular form of Ashwagandha for its high bioavailability, meaning you experience the benefits even after the capsule goes through your digestive system. Menopause can increase stress for many reasons. It’s not just estrogen that can fluctuate during this life transition - in fact many hormones can feel out of whack. This includes cortisol, the...wait for it...stress hormone! Typically, cortisol is highest in the morning and declines throughout the day. During and after menopause, cortisol levels may remain higher than baseline - this can be called chronic stress.
Ashwagandha has been clinically-studied, with significant results, to reduce cortisol levels when elevated, helping to normalize the body’s stress response. Studies show a significant decrease in cortisol levels after 60 days of use, and continued benefits thereafter. I’ll say it again, committing to a regimen over time is key for experiencing real, impactful relief to feel like yourself again. Subscribing to receive a tailored Kindra regimen every month is rooted in how the clinical studies demonstrate efficacy.
Ashwagandha also supports the pathways that regulate blood vessel expansion, allowing for increased blood flow to the vaginal tissues, which is critical for reaching orgasm.
In women, psychological impacts of the menopause transition can really deepen the challenge of reduced blood flow, so addressing both perceived stress mentally and emotionally, plus the physiological pathways of cortisol spikes and blood flow reduction to the genitals, increases the efficacy to provide meaningful relief...and release!
How is Estrogen related to melatonin and sleep?
What happens during the menopause transition and thereafter is that the estrogen decline - yes, we are back to estrogen! - causes shifts in how our brain controls hormone secretions. In the brain, the hypothalamus is the incredible switchboard-like part of the brain that keeps most critical hormones regulated through supporting glands. In fact, this dysregulation during menopause contributes to nearly every symptom! That’s because estrogen targets every critical signaling pathway from reproduction, temperature, energy, stress, etc.
When it comes to melatonin, it’s released by the pineal gland. Prior to menopause, the circadian rhythm is regulated pretty systematically - melatonin secretions increase towards evening to support our body’s natural ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
The tricky part about menopause is that depending on where you are on the menopause journey, anywhere from 45-70 years old, roughly, the natural state of melatonin secretions can vary greatly person by person. Add lifestyle differences, diet, sleeping habits - the variations just get bigger.
So, to be safe, and not contribute to an already hyper-fluctuating secretion of melatonin during this stage of life, we have formulated our Sleep Supplement with a very low ratio, 2 milligrams. We are providing just enough to support better sleep, enhancing clinical benefits by reducing cortisol with Ashwagandha, for a highly effective, natural sleep solution.
What is hormone replacement therapy (HT), and is it safe?
Usually, HRT involves taking estrogen (or estrogen and progesterone) to increase your body’s hormone levels and ease some of those symptoms. [50] Depending on your specific needs, you’d take your hormones as a pill or a patch, or apply it topically in the form of a lotion, cream, or gel. These forms deliver the hormones either systemically (to your entire body via your bloodstream) or to a specific area, like your vulva and vagina. [51]
Research shows that estrogen and other forms of hormone therapy can be incredibly beneficial for treating symptoms of menopause. However, menopause treatment solutions may not be one size fits all, so to speak. Depending on where you are in the menopause journey when you are seeking treatment, or your medical history, hormone therapy may not be for you. There may be some risks, which a medical provider can speak more about on a case by case basis - these risks may include increased risk of blood clots, stroke and certain types of cancer.
With that said, at Kindra we believe that empowering women experiencing menopause with the resources, guidance, and tools they need to make the best decision for them, is key. We’ve developed science-backed, research-driven estrogen-free products to provide solutions for the women in our community who have either been advised to not use hormone therapy, or, who simply choose not to.
In fact, some women in our community choose to use Kindra products as an adjunct to their current hormone therapy regimen.
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