Pycnogenol and pain in pregnancy

Pycnogenol is one of my favourite, multi-faceted supplements. A question I regularly get about it is whether it is safe during pregnancy. While there is not heaps of available research, what we do have suggests a low dose may be effective later during pregnancy.

A 2006 study of 140 women in their third trimester compared a low dose of pycnogenol (30mg a day) with placebo (1). The women experienced no side effects, but had a significant reduction in pain (e.g. back pain, hip pain, calf cramps, etc). All of the pain scores decreased in the pycnogenol group, and most were significantly lower after just two weeks of use (the entire trial ran for 6 weeks). The researchers concluded that pycnogenol appeared to be a safe and effective option for relieving pregnancy related pain in the third trimester (they noted that although there was no indication it was unsafe in the first trimester, any compound that hasn't specifically been studies is best not to use).

Other animal research has found that pycnogenol offers fetal protection from toxicity during pregnancy, and human research has found significant benefits around haemorrhoids and varicose veins in the postpartum period (2,3,4).

Bottom line

The available research we have suggests pycnogenol is safe and effective for supporting pain symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy. Additional research supports its efficacy postpartum for improving venous function.

Bottom line

Studies

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