Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Cramps (menstrual)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Magnesium is commonly used to help manage menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), and there is a moderate level of scientific evidence supporting its use. Several clinical studies and reviews suggest that magnesium supplementation can reduce the severity and duration of menstrual pain. Magnesium is thought to work by relaxing the smooth muscle of the uterus and by reducing the production of prostaglandins, which are compounds involved in pain and inflammation during menstruation. A meta-analysis published in 2017 in the journal Magnesium Research indicated that women who took magnesium supplements experienced a significant decrease in pain intensity compared to those who took a placebo. Additionally, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists lists magnesium as a potential non-pharmacologic treatment for dysmenorrhea.
However, the quality of studies varies, with some trials having small sample sizes or methodological limitations. Not all studies have shown a benefit, and optimal dosing regimens are not well established. Most evidence supports the use of magnesium as an adjunct to other treatments rather than as a sole therapy. Side effects are generally mild, with gastrointestinal upset being the most common. In summary, scientific evidence is moderate (rated 3/5), and magnesium may be beneficial for some women with menstrual cramps, especially when used as part of a broader management strategy.
Other ingredients used for Cramps (menstrual)
black currantcalcium
turmeric
elderberry
fennel
ginger
green tea
licorice root
magnesium
motherwort
parsley
peppermint oil
pomegranate
vitamin D
wild yam
zinc
tangerine
anise
queen of the meadow
Angelica
Alchemilla
Anserina
Anemone
Agnuside
Ashoka
Blue Cohosh
Bethroot
black salt
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cramp Bark
Chuchuhuasi
Cowslip
Celosia
Pennyroyal
Other health conditions supported by magnesium
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Allergies (respiratory)
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
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colon (atonic)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gastritis
Headache (cluster)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia
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
Products containing magnesium
Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Hydrate
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Plant Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Plant Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Whey Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Whey Protein
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine Calcium-Magnesium (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Calcium Plus Vitamin D
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Energy
Nature's Sunshine Chromium-GTF
Nature's Sunshine Coral Calcium
Nature's Sunshine Coral Calcium
Nature's Sunshine Fibralgia
Nature's Sunshine Free Amino Acids
Nature's Sunshine Gentle Move
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Heavy Metal Detox
Nature's Sunshine Magnesium
Nature's Sunshine Magnesium Complex
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Mind-Max
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets To-Go Packs
Nature's Sunshine Sea Calcium (Nature's)
Nature's Sunshine Sunshine Heroes Whole Food Papayazyme
Nature's Sunshine Silver Shield BioGuard Hand & Body Cream
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Revive
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Urinary Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System
Nature's Sunshine VitaWave