Study: Pycnogenol Effective in Resolving Endometriosis-Related Pain In Combination With Oral Contraceptives

27 Feb 2014 --- Research shows patented pine bark extract plays a key role in reducing inflammation associated with endometriosis and menstruation, which affects more than 2 million UK women.

A study published in the International Journal of Women’s Health found that the natural supplement Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, significantly minimises pain and inflammation associated with endometriosis and may help eliminate painful periods – when paired with oral contraceptives. More than two million women in the UK suffer from endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory condition associated with severe menstrual pain and infertility.

In the study, researchers treated and monitored 45 patients of reproductive age (22 – 37 years old) who were diagnosed with varying degrees of endometriosis. Patients were randomly selected to one of four treatment groups and evaluated prior to beginning their regimen and after three months of treatment. Two different types of oral contraceptives were evaluated on their own and in combination with Pycnogenol.  Pain was evaluated with a pain scale graded from 0-10.

Patients in Group 1 were treated with only an oral contraceptive containing 0.75 mg gestodene and 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol; Group 2  received the same oral contraceptive containing .75 mg gestodene and 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol in addition to 100 mg Pycnogenol. Patients in Group 3 received only a contraceptive containing 3 mg drospirenone and 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol; participants in Group 4 received the same oral contraceptive  containing 3 mg drospirenone and 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol in addition to 100 mg Pycnogenol. Pycnogenol was administered at 50 mg every 12 hours. In all cases, oral contraceptives were used in a continuous regimen.

Over the course of three months, researchers found:
• The use of oral contraceptives alone resulted in a decrease of menstrual-related pain
• Pycnogenol  significantly reinforced  pain reduction when combined with oral contraceptives in patients suffering from endometriosis
• Pycnogenol increased significantly the efficacy of oral contraceptives for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain
• Most (56%) participants taking Pycnogenol and an oral contraceptive reported a complete resolution of pain; none of the participants taking an oral contraceptive alone reported full pain resolution

“Pycnogenol is a natural nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor, meaning that it reduces inflammation at the on-set, and as a result, may significantly reduce pain and help those who suffer from endometriosis without complication or side effects,” said Dr. Peter Rohdewald, Head of Research and Development at Horphag Research. “This research shows that Pycnogenol is an effective natural alternative to improve the efficacy of oral contraceptives to relieve endometriosis-related pain.”