title: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Pycnogenol on the climacteric syndrome in peri-menopausal women.
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 155 women 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pycnogenol may offer an alternative method to reducing climacteric symptoms without unwanted effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ham-Ming Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Han-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Mei-Fen
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Shu-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Mei-Nan
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rohdewald
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D047648:Perimenopause; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C024070:pycnogenols