Pine Bark Extract Minimizes Perimenopause Symptoms

GENEVAPerimenopause climacteric symptoms can be minimized by the natural supplement, Pycnogenol®, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, according to a new study published in The Journal of Reproductive Medicine.

Researchers at the Keiju Medical Center in Japan conducted a study to indentify menopause symptoms that respond positively to Pycnogenol. Researchers examined 170 perimenopausal women in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial where participants were given either placebo capsules or 30 mg of Pycnogenol twice daily for 12 weeks. The study systematically compared hormonal changes of the women taking Pycnogenol or the placebo. No significant changes were found in estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) or dehydroepiandrosterone. However, the evidence for non-hormonal effects of Pycnogenol can be useful to women wanting to subdue menopausal symptoms.

Participants also were given the Kupperman index, the most commonly used questionnaire in Japan,  to describe and score the level of discomfort related to climacteric symptoms. Differences in baseline performance between the placebo group and Pycnogenol group were tested, as well as a comparison of perimenopausal symptom scores obtained during treatment.

Results demonstrated, the total symptom improvement was statistically significant compared to the placebo group. Further menopausal symptom improvements also were identified, such as decreased heart palpitations, which is particularly significant as menopausal women have increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Other studies have shown that Pycnogenol, in combination with other supplements, improves heart function. As the third clinical study to-date, results from this study confirm findings from two previous studies.