Supplementation with Pycnogenol, a French maritime pine bark extract marketed by Horphag Research,  was associated with improvements in symptoms of lipedema in women. The findings were published in Cureus.

Lipedema impacts an estimated 400 million women globally, causing abnormal and painful buildup of fat, most often in the legs, hips, and buttocks. It is frequently mistaken for obesity or lymphedema, which can delay diagnosis and leave women without treatment options, the company reported.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 women between the ages of 18 and 40 diagnosed with lipedema were randomized to receive either a placebo or a 50 mg dose of Pycnogenol three times daily over a treatment period of 60 days.

The researchers evaluated quality of life, body composition, and symptom severity at the start, midpoint, and conclusion of the study. Symptom severity was assessed using the validated QuASiL scale, evaluating sensitivity, bruising, pressure, burning, cramps, heavy legs, swelling, and itchiness.

The treatment group saw a 29% reduction in overall symptom scores, while the placebo group continued to worsen.

There was significant relief across all symptoms evaluated, with improvements in many of the most common problems of lipedema, including swelling of the legs, heavy legs, tenderness, and bruising.

Compared to placebo, the participants saw an 8% reduction in body fat. The patients taking Pycnogenol also reported an improvement in satisfaction with leg appearance, as well as quality of life.

Lipedema disproportionately affects women, with an estimated 11% to 39% experiencing symptoms ranging from tenderness and easy bruising to a heavy, aching sensation in the legs. It often develops or worsens during hormonal changes like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, Horphag Research reported. Further, there are no approved medications for the treatment of lipedema, and no widely accepted medical standard of care.

Pycnogenol’s benefits are thought to stem from its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can strengthen blood vessel walls, improve microcirculation, and support lymphatic flow. These effects are particularly relevant in lipedema, which impairs circulation, leading to chronic swelling and tissue discomfort.

“The lack of validated, accessible treatment options for women with lipedema often leaves them searching for alternatives that can meaningfully improve daily comfort and mobility,” said Fred Pescatore, physician, author, and spokesperson for Horphag Research. “What makes these findings important is that Pycnogenol demonstrated measurable improvements in symptoms including pain and tenderness relief, body composition, and emotional well-being. Patients with lipedema now have a safe, natural option that may help fill a long-standing treatment gap.”