Pine Bark For Reducing Menstrual Pain

Dysmenorrheal pain is a condition that causes extremely painful menstrual periods affecting millions of women each year. It is thought to be caused by elevated levels of inflammation and characterized by menstrual cramping pain, which may reach incapacitating severity. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, provide temporary help against menstrual pain. Unfortunately, they are generally ineffective for resolving spasmodic events and commonly cause side effects, particularly gastric problems. Recently, a new study reveals that Pycnogenol, the pine bark extract from the French maritime pine tree, can reduce menstrual pain. Pycnogenol is a natural anti-inflammatory, which provides the basis for the rational to use Pycnogenol to naturally moderate inflammatory pain sensation involved in menstruation. The study also demonstrated that Pycnogenol does not exert any estrogen-like activity, which considerably adds to the safety for women who seek help for painful periods.