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 155women 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.