Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Cramps (menstrual)

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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.

More about magnesium
More about Cramps (menstrual)

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
Hypertension
Insomnia