Study supports use of pine bark extract for period pain
A new study has found that pine bark extract can be used as a natural and effective way to treat severe period pains.
The extract is taken from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and is used in a number of dietary supplements.
Many women suffer from a condition called dysmenorrhoea, which causes extremely painful periods and can prevent the sufferer from functioning effectively for days every month.
Dr Nobutaka Suzuki, who led a multi-centre study into the effectiveness of pine bark extract, commented: "Dysmenorrhoeal pain is thought to be caused by elevated levels of inflammation and characterised by menstrual cramping pain, which may reach incapacitating severity.
"Unfortunately, [drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen] are generally ineffective for resolving spasmodic events and commonly cause side-effects, particularly gastric problems."
The findings are published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine and confirm pine bark extract's effectiveness in relieving menstrual pain.
A new study has found that pine bark extract can be used as a natural and effective way to treat severe period pains.
