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Pycnogenol for Hot Flashes

Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A November 13, 2008

Q. Does Pycnogenol contain estrogen? I would like to try it for my hot flashes but my doctor said I shouldn't take it if it contained estrogen.

A. There is no estrogen in Pycnogenol. This extract of French maritime pine bark has been shown to relieve hot flashes in one study (Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, Aug. 2007). Another study concluded that Pycnogenol does not have estrogenic activity (Journal of Reproductive Medicine, Aug. 2007).

Tags: estrogen, French maritime pine bark, hot flashes, Pycnogenol

Reader Comments

The comments below are provided by the users of this site and not by The Peoples Pharmacy or the Graedons. Please also remember that nothing contained in this site is intended as a substitute for medical advice.

I have been using Pycnogenol for hot flashes for about one year. I was having severe hot flashes and the Pycnogenol almost eliminated them. I don't even have to take it every day now. I can skip a day now and then. It's been wonderful.

Posted by: Denise M. | November 14, 2008 5:45 PM

I use Pycnogenol for cracking fingertips. It prevents them totally for me. I also use a little hand lotion daily, but I was using it alone and still had cracks and splitting. Pycnogenol fixed it. I found out about it on the Peoples Pharmacy online.

Posted by: PGW | November 15, 2008 6:33 PM

I tried Pycnogenol for hot flashes and it didn't help at all - in fact, I think it made the frequency and intensity of the hot flashes worse. I did, however, have good luck with Red Clover Blossom, and as long as I continue to take it, the hot flashes are less intense and not as frequent. (They were coming about 3 to 4 an hour and driving me crazy.) I'm not sure if Red Clover Blossom contains any estrogen.

Posted by: ec | November 16, 2008 2:11 PM

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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.