According to the results, women who took Pycnogenol® – maritime pine bark – reduced their intake of pain relievers during both menstrual cycles of treatment. This reduction was maintained during the next cycle in which the participants did not take a supplement.

The pine bark extract, however, had no effect in women who had mild period pain.

Pycnogenol® is believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect, the researchers believe. In recent test-tube tests, it was indeed observed that in addition to having an antioxidant action, Pycnogenol would help to inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which have an inflammatory action in the body.

Throughout the trial, which spanned five menstrual cycles, participants had the option of using standard pain relievers to relieve their pain.

During the first two cycles, the levels of pain felt and the consumption of pain tablets were assessed. During the next two cycles, participants took either a supplement of Pycnogenol® (30 mg of standardized pine extract) or a placebo twice daily, followed by no supplement during the fifth cycle.

Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net

According to FoodNavigator.

1. Suzuki N, Uebaba K, et al. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract Significantly Lowers the Requirement for Analgesic Medication in Dysmenorrhea: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Reprod Med, 2008;53;338–346.