A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Pycnogenol on the climacteric syndrome in peri-menopausal women

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(8):978-85. doi: 10.1080/00016340701446108.

Abstract

Background: French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) was found to alleviate menstrual pain and reduce hyperactivity in clinical studies. These results suggest the possibility to observe positive effects in treating climacteric syndrome.

Objective: Clinical investigation of the effect of Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, on the climacteric syndrome.

Methods: Some 200 peri-menopausal women were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and treated with Pycnogenol (200mg) daily. Climacteric symptoms were evaluated by the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ), patients were checked for antioxidative status and routine chemistry. A total of 155 women completed the study.

Results: All climacteric symptoms improved, antioxidative status increased and LDL/HDL ratio was favourably altered by Pycnogenol. No side effects were reported.

Conclusion: Pycnogenol may offer an alternative method to reducing climacteric symptoms without unwanted effects.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / administration & dosage
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use*
  • Hot Flashes / drug therapy*
  • Hot Flashes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Perimenopause
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Bark
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trees*

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Plant Extracts
  • pycnogenols