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Review, 1993

Can magnesium help relieve premenstrual mood changes?

This review states that magnesium relieves premenstrual mood changes and eases period pain, alongside other roles in pregnancy, but it does not provide specific trial numbers to back up the PMS claim.

Early or limited evidence No specific group studied for the PMS claim; review also covers pregnant women elsewhere.

What they did

This is a review covering magnesium's role in pregnancy and gynecology, summarising existing research on magnesium levels in the body and the effects of supplementation.

What they found

Pregnancy was found to lower magnesium levels in blood and uterus muscle by 15%, partly because magnesium lost in urine rises by 25%. Magnesium supplementation during pregnancy was linked to fewer preterm births, with premature delivery dropping from 8.2% to 2.8%, and less vaginal bleeding. In gynecology, the review states that magnesium relieves premenstrual mood changes and eases period pain, but it does not give numbers for this specific effect.

What it means for you

Magnesium may help with PMS mood symptoms and period pain according to this review, but the clear numerical evidence shown relates to pregnancy outcomes, not PMS directly, so the PMS benefit is stated without supporting figures. As a review, it draws on other studies rather than presenting new controlled data specifically on PMS.

15%

drop in magnesium levels during pregnancy

25%

increase in magnesium lost in urine during pregnancy

8.2% to 2.8%

reduction in premature delivery rate with magnesium

About the study

Original title
[Magnesium in obstetrics and gynecology]
Authors
Spätling L
Journal
Gynakologisch-geburtshilfliche Rundschau
Year
1993
Study design
Review
What was tested
Magnesium supplementation.

Topics