Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Dysmenorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Magnesium is supported by scientific evidence for the management of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), although the overall quality of evidence is moderate. Dysmenorrhea is thought to be caused in part by increased production of uterine prostaglandins, leading to stronger uterine contractions and pain. Magnesium is proposed to exert beneficial effects through its role as a natural calcium antagonist, leading to smooth muscle relaxation, and by modulating prostaglandin synthesis.

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have investigated magnesium supplementation in women with primary dysmenorrhea. A 2017 systematic review in Gynecological Endocrinology concluded that magnesium is more effective than placebo in reducing the intensity and duration of menstrual pain, and may have a synergistic effect when combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Another meta-analysis (2020) found that magnesium supplementation reduced pain scores compared to placebo, though the authors noted variability in study quality and dosing regimens.

Magnesium is generally well-tolerated, with mild gastrointestinal side effects being the most commonly reported adverse events. Current data suggest that magnesium may be a useful adjunct or alternative to conventional therapies for dysmenorrhea, particularly for individuals seeking non-pharmacologic options. However, more large-scale, well-designed studies are needed to establish optimal dosing and long-term safety.

More about magnesium
More about Dysmenorrhea

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colon (atonic)
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (cluster)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
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Insomnia