Lab study, 1998
Do magnesium and calcium levels change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes, clearly. Magnesium is highest early in the cycle and drops around ovulation and when progesterone is high. The ratio of calcium to magnesium increases during ovulation and the luteal phase.
What they did
Measured the levels of three hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and ionized magnesium and calcium in 10 healthy women at five different times in their cycle: menstrual phase, early follicular, late follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases.
What they found
Ionized magnesium was highest during the early follicular phase, decreased significantly around the time of ovulation, and decreased again when progesterone was high. The ratio of calcium to magnesium increased at both ovulation and the luteal phase. Ionized magnesium also decreased when testosterone increased.
What it means for you
Changes in these minerals may affect blood vessels, nerves, and hormones, contributing to premenstrual symptoms in women low in magnesium or with high calcium-to-magnesium ratios. This was a very small study (10 women) with no control group, so results need confirmation.
10
women studied
5
cycle phases measured
About the study
- Original title
- Sex steroid hormones modulate serum ionized magnesium and calcium levels throughout the menstrual cycle in women
- Authors
- Muneyvirci-Delale O, Nacharaju VL, Altura BM et al.
- Journal
- Fertility and sterility
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Lab study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00053-3
Topics
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