Does Pycnogenol Support Men’s Sexual Health, Circulation & Performance?

As men age, it's not uncommon to notice some changes—be that in the gym, the bedroom or just in their everyday lives. These changes can affect different areas of their health—vascular, circulatory, and sexual health, even athletic performance, to name a few.

So what's a guy to do? Luckily there is a well-known antioxidant, pycnogenol, that can offer specific support for men's health needs.

Pycnogenol is an extract of French maritime pine bark. As the name suggests, the extract comes from along the southwest coast of France and has been studied for over 40 years.

Its water-soluble polyphenols and bioflavonoids are the compounds responsible for its wealth of benefits. These bioflavonoids help support your body's production of nitric oxide (NO), a molecule in the body that is essential to the health of your blood vessels.

What nitric oxide does for the body:

• Relaxes and widens blood vessels through a process called vasodilation
• Is important for blood flow
• Helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs

The bioflavonoids in pycnogenol can support endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression (eNOS) and the release of NO from endothelial cells, which line the inner surface of blood vessels. This whole process is important for the body to make an increased amount of NO from L-arginine and support overall health and well-being.

And for men, healthy NO production is important for a number of key bodily functions.

What are the health benefits of pycnogenol for men?

So now that we know how pycnogenol works in the body, let's break down why it can be a powerful supplement for men.

What are some of the best supplements to stack with pycnogenol?

While pycnogenol has a stellar reputation on its own, depending on your health goals, you can find pycnogenol in combination with several other supplements to effectively enhance its effects. Here are a few to consider taking together:

• L-arginine

  : This compound is the precursor to creating nitric oxide in the body. When combined with pycnogenol, it can help keep nitric oxide at the right level for healthy male blood flow and optimal sexual function.

• Gotu kola

  : Certain compounds, like lipids, can accumulate in the blood vessels. The combination of French maritime pine bark extract and gotu kola encourages arterial health. It also supports healthy circulation, inhibits oxidative stress and promotes a healthy inflammatory response.

• Nattokinase

  : A must-have for office workers and long-haul travelers! Nattokinase and pycnogenol can help with improved blood flow and increased vascular function by promoting the body's natural clotting process and supporting already-healthy blood pressure.

• European bilberry

  : Fluid pressure in the eyes can increase over time, making safeguarding your vision necessary with age. Together, pycnogenol and European bilberry support your eye health, including already-healthy fluid pressure and optimal ocular blood flow.

Note: speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Who might benefit most from supplementing with pycnogenol?

Sexual health, blood flow and eye health can all take a hit as we collect birthdays. This happens for a number of reasons. It could be a change in hormone levels or just natural changes over time. Men may turn to French maritime pine bark extract for support for these vital functions of healthy aging and overall wellness.

More specifically, supplementation of pycnogenol might be of particular interest to men over 40 who are seeking these specific health benefits.

But don't forget: supplements are one part of a healthy lifestyle. To support your best health as you age, prioritize these pillars of wellness:

• A nutrient-dense diet that focuses on minimally processed foods
• 7-9 hours per night of high-quality sleep
• Stress management
• Staying hydrated
• Regular physical activity 

And of course, if you're looking for more supplements for men to round out your wellness journey, take our quiz for personalized results!

Can pycnogenol help with sexual performance?

Yes! Pycnogenol and L-arginine can both support improved sexual health and increased performance. In combination, pycnogenol and L-arginine can offer male sexual health support because they relax the vessels necessary for blood flow, a crucial component of male sexual activity.

What's the best dose of pycnogenol for men?

Besides standalone formulas, most combination supplements containing pycnogenol are formulated with a proprietary blend, meaning that exact doses of each nutrient won't be specified.

Otherwise, if a product label separately lists pycnogenol as an ingredient, the optimal dose of French maritime pine bark extract to experience positive effects should range from 100 mg to 200 mg for daily use.

A good rule of thumb is to follow label instructions to ensure you're taking the proper amount for optimal health benefits.

References

• D'Andrea G. "Pycnogenol: a blend of procyanidins with multifaceted therapeutic applications?" Fitoterapia. October 2010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20598812/
• Enseleit F, et al. "Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study." Eur Heart J. July 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22240497/
• Gulati OP. "Pycnogenol® in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders." Phytother Res. July 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25931421/
• Kwak CJ, et al. "Antihypertensive effect of French maritime pine bark extract (Flavangenol): possible involvement of endothelial nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation." J Hypertens. January 2009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19145776/
• Liu X, et al. "Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, improves endothelial function of hypertensive patients." Life Sci. January 2004. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14659974/
• Nishioka K, et al. "Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation in humans." Hypertens Res. September 2007. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18037769/
• Steigerwalt RD Jr, et al. "Mirtogenol potentiates latanoprost in lowering intraocular pressure and improves ocular blood flow in asymptomatic subjects." Clin Ophthalmol. May 2010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20505841/