Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: PMS (general)

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Synopsis

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

Magnesium is used to support or treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS) based on a growing body of scientific evidence, although it is not considered a first-line therapy. Several clinical trials and reviews suggest that magnesium supplementation may alleviate certain PMS symptoms, particularly mood changes (such as irritability), bloating, and breast tenderness. One proposed mechanism is magnesium’s role in neurotransmitter regulation and its influence on serotonin, which can affect mood and emotional symptoms. Additionally, magnesium is involved in muscle relaxation and fluid balance, which may help relieve physical symptoms like cramping and swelling.

A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis found that magnesium supplementation led to a modest but significant improvement in PMS symptoms compared to placebo. Earlier studies, including randomized controlled trials, have also demonstrated benefits, sometimes in combination with vitamin B6. However, results across studies are not entirely consistent, with some trials showing minimal or no benefit. The overall quality of evidence is moderate, and the effect size is generally modest.

Magnesium is considered safe for most people when taken in recommended amounts, and side effects are generally mild (such as gastrointestinal upset). Given the limited risk and the potential for benefit, magnesium is sometimes recommended as an adjunctive treatment for PMS, especially for individuals seeking non-pharmacological options. Nevertheless, further large-scale, high-quality studies are needed to clarify its efficacy and the specific symptoms most likely to respond.

More about magnesium
More about PMS (general)

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