Pycnogenol® Reduces Endometriosis

HOBOKEN, N.J.—A new study to be published in an upcoming edition of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine reveals an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree (as Pycnogenol®, Natural Health Science Inc.) reduces symptoms of endometriosis by 33 percent.

The study, held at Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Ishokawa, Japan, sampled 58 women ages 21 to 38 who underwent operations for endometriosis within six months of the study and had regular menstruation and ovulation for three months before treatment.

Patients were randomized into two groups. One consumed Pycnogenol, 30 mg twice daily immediately after morning and evening meals for 48 weeks. The second received Gn-RHa therapy, as injected leuprorelin acetate depot (3.75 mg intracutaneously), six times every four weeks for 24 weeks. (Leuprorelin treatment completely blocks estrogen in the body and must be discontinued after 24 weeks because of side effects.) Patients were examined before and at weeks 4,12, 24 and 48—after treatment began—to check for symptom control (pain, urinary and bowel symptom, breakthrough bleeding); pain was evaluated by patient self-assessment, interview and a gynecologic examination.

Both treatment groups showed no differences at start of treatment and reported severe pain, pelvic tenderness and pelvic indurations. After four weeks, Pycnogenol slowly but steadily reduced all symptoms from severe to moderate. Treatment with Gn-RHa reduced the scores more efficiently, but 24 weeks post-treatment, a relapse of symptoms occurred.

Takafumi Kohama, Ph.D., and a lead researcher in the study, said: “Common hormone treatments such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agents (Gn-RHa) may likely restrict women from becoming pregnant during treatment. Danazol, another hormone treatment, produces side effects such as ovarian deficiency, osteoporosis and obesity. Our results convey Pycnogenol as an extremely effective natural treatment without dangerous side effects.” He also noted five women in the Pycnogenol group became pregnant.

For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com or Booth #1633- 1635 at SupplySide East.