Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is the most common, and often debilitating, gynecologic condition affecting around 45 to 90% US women of reproductive age. Recent results of a multicenter field study reports that Pycnogenol®, (Horphag Research Ltd.), an extract of the French maritime pine bark, helps in reducing the pain, as well as the need for pain medications, during menstruation.
Dr Nobutaka Suzuki, a Japanese gynecologist, and coworkers, carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 116 women of childbearing age suffering from dysmenorrhea, at four different hospitals in Japan. The study subjects, who were closely monitored for five menstrual cycles, were provided with diaries to note down the pain during menstrual days. They used Visual Analog Scale to assess the pain, and data from the first two pre-treatment menstrual cycles to establish base-line values for NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) analgesics and pain sensation. Thereafter, the subjects were randomly divided into two groups, placebo group and the other receiving daily regimens of Pycnogenol, and monitored for two menstrual cycles. During the follow-up, the recurrence of symptoms was evaluated by discontinuing the supplementation. The participants were also asked to note the type and dose of analgesics, as the use of analgesics was not limited throughout the study.
The study results showed a decrease in the number of painful days, from an average of 2.1 days before treatment to 1.3 at both the third and fourth menstrual cycle, as well as a significant reduction in the usage of NSAID. Treatment discontinuation did not cause any immediate recurrence of symptoms or increase in the use of pain medication.
Another study conducted by Kohama, et al. (2007) showed that the antioxidant plant extract, Pycnogenol, holds the potential to reduce symptoms of endometriosis by 33%. The study was conducted on 58 women, aged between 21 and 38, who had undergone surgery for endometriosis within 6 months prior to the study. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: Pycnogenol group, patients supplemented with 30 mg Pycnogenol capsule orally; and Gn-Rha (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist) group, subjects administered with 3.75 mg of leuprorelin acetate depot intracutaneously. Prior to the treatment initiation, the participants were tested for regular menstruation and ovulation. During the follow up, the study subjects were monitored before and at 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after the treatment for different symptom controls including pain, urinary and bowel symptoms, and breakthrough bleeding. After four weeks of treatment, the Pycnogenol group showed a gradual but steady reduction of all symptoms from severe to moderate level. However, the Gn-RHa group demonstrated only an initial reduction as the symptoms relapsed 24 weeks after the completion of the treatment.
The term dysmenorrhea is derived from a Greek word, which means difficult menstrual flow. Pain in the suprapubic region of the abdomen (major symptom of the condition), along with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue and headache may start a few hours before or at the beginning of menstruation and may last up to 3 days. Though NSAIDs are effective in providing symptomatic relief, their use is associated with certain adverse effects including headaches, drowsiness and gastrointestinal intolerance.
Endometriosis, a painful disorder, is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue beyond the uterus. Abnormal menstrual bleeding, painful menstruation, pain during or after sexual intercourse are some of the major symptoms of the disorder. The condition, which affects around 1 million women of childbearing age globally, is more frequent among Caucasian women compared to Asian or African-American counterparts.
Pycnogenol contains a unique combination of beneficial procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids. The plant extract, which does not exert any estrogen-like biological activity, provides a natural and safe remedy for women who suffer from endometriosis and monthly discomfort of menstruation.
References
1. New Study: Pycnogenol® Significantly Reduces Menstrual Pain. Press Release. Horphag Research, Ltd. Last accessed June 20, 2008.
2. New Study: Pycnogenol Significantly Reduces Endometriosis. Press Release. Horphag Research Ltd. Last accessed June 20, 2008.
