A new study from the Switzerland-based Horphags Research shows that a natural extract obtained from the common tree can help with symptoms that can occur during menopause. According to Medical News Today, Pycnogenol, which is obtained from the bark of the pine tree (Pinius pinaster), can sometimes relieve such symptoms as hot flashes, pains, fatigue, and dry skin.
In the study, the results, which will soon be published in an upcoming issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, show that 155 women between the ages of 45 and 55 were randomly assigned to either take 100 milligrams of Pycnogenol or a placebo pill twice daily. . The study ran for six months. Participating women then completed questionnaires at the beginning of the study, after three months and at the end of six months. A study found that women who took Pycnogenol over all reported improvements in their menopausal.
The women who received the placebo stated that their symptoms remained the same or were worse, Blood tests administered to women. In addition, it showed that women who received Pycnogenol showed a higher level of antioxidants in their blood. Their also seemed to improve. The findings are particularly encouraging since many women suffering from menopausal symptoms are looking for an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Women are warned when taking hormone replacement therapy that they run a higher incidence of certain types of cancers and vascular conditions.
Menopause is a naturally occurring event defined by the last menstrual period and is usually confirmed when a woman skips her period for twelve straight months. Menopause is associated with reduced ovarian function due to aging or medical removal of the ovaries. The loss of functioning ovaries sends a woman into menopause by raising or eliminating estrogen and progesterone in the body. And they can create havoc in a woman’s life. Menopause marks the permanent end of a woman’s fertility.
Some of the symptoms associated with menopause are hot flashes, dry skin, hair loss, mood swings, depression, long memory sweat, headache, ability to sleep or sleep all night.
Many women try and succeed successfully in controlling some or all of their menopausal symptoms through diet modification, exercise, weight management and smoking cessation. Some women also seek help for their symptoms by using natural herbal remedies that do not require a doctor’s prescription. in soy products are found in some women.These naturally occurring hormones are sometimes also found in dietary supplements in most health food stores found successful use of isoflavin in about 15 – 30% of women who use them. Black cohosh has also been found in some cleansing pills to suppress or remove hot flashes.
Prescription therapies are not recommended for long-term use, but they are very successful in relieving the most troublesome menopausal symptoms. Studies have found that the use of estrogen and progesterone supplements may increase the risk of certain cancers and cardio vascular disease in some women.
You can find more information about menopause and symptoms and treatments at the following site .N.A.M.S. or The North American Menopause Site is the leading non-profit scientific organization dedicated to promoting and understanding women’s health and quality of life issues.
Sources used in this article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/82595.
http://www.menopause.org/expertadvice.htm#basics
