A study released in December 2011 in the journal Panminerva Medica demonstrated that pine bark extract significantly improved symptoms associated with menopause. Pine bark extract, which is marketed under the name Pycnogenol, is a potent antioxidant and typically used to enhance heart health and the immune system. Because it’s not commonly linked to menopause, Wellness Times contacted Frank Schonlau, PhD, scientific director of Pycnogenol supplier Horphag Research,, for more information.

WT: We don’t often think of Pycnogenol when dealing with menopause symptoms. Have there been previous studies showing its benefit?

FS: Pycnogenol has been extensively investigated in Japan for helping women with menopausal discomfort. After a series of these studies showed very favorable results, a research group in Taiwan considered testing Pycnogenol for its possible benefits for women going through the troublesome transitional period of menopause. This study in Taiwan involved 200 women and was double-blind, placebo-controlled, with an investigational period of six months. The study found very favorable results, suggesting significant relief from essentially all typical menopausal symptoms. However, the Pycnogenol dosage used was high and the study analyzed benefits only after three months (of use). Women troubled by menopausal symptoms would desire a more rapid improvement of symptoms, and that study wasn’t able to address that concern.

WT: Can you tell us a little more about the recently published study?

FS: The new menopause study involved 38 women who were given 50 mg of Pycnogenol twice a day for eight weeks. A control group of 32 women was given placebo tablets. Women filled out a standard questionnaire to evaluate their menopausal symptoms.

WT: What did the researchers find?

FS: Pycnogenol did significantly improve several symptoms of menopause, including the most common and bothersome ones: hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irregular periods, loss of libido and vaginal dryness. Women receiving the placebo did not experience significant improvement of any of the symptoms. However, Pycnogenol did not improve all menopausal symptoms to the extent that they were statistically significant versus the placebo control group. These symptoms, which included dizziness, irritability, sleeping disorders and fatigue, only improved when Pycnogenol was compared to baseline values (symptom levels noted at the beginning of the study).

WT: How does Pycnogenol work for menopause relief?

FS: The researchers analyzed women’s blood for oxidative stress and demonstrated that the group receiving Pycnogenol showed significantly lowered oxidative stress from free radicals. The study authors argue that the reduced oxidative stress may be partly responsible for the improved symptoms.

WT: Are there future plans to do more studies involving Pycnogenol for menopause relief?

FS: A large, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 170 menopausal women in Japan has recently been completed. This study is currently being evaluated for symptom improvement by statisticians.  Pycnogenol does offer women affected by menopausal symptoms significant relief, and apparently does this without any hormonal changes. Pycnogenol does not possess phytoestrogens (plant components that mimic estrogen) like soy, red clover and other plant extracts do.