Magnesium Helps Reduce Period Pain

Period pain (also known as dysmenorrhea, menstral pain or menstrual cramps) affects up to 50% of menstruating women. For one in five of these women, the pain is severe enough to interfere with the ability to function normally for one to three days of each month.

Primary dysmenorrhoea (functional dysmenorrhea) is caused by uterine contractions that are too strong and which occur too frequently. Between contractions the uterine muscle does not relax properly and there is unusually high "resting tone". The end-effect is a reduction in the amount of blood flowing through the uterine muscle and this is responsible for the painful periods. Most women with primary dysmenorrhea describe the pain as continual, dull, background aches or a sense of heaviness. This is accompanied by cramping pain. The pain is usually central and located in the lower abdomen. The pain usually commences at the beginning of the period and intensifies as the flow becomes heavier.

Secondary dysmenorrhea occurs when period pain is caused by another complaint, usually endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Magnesium Deficiency?

There is some evidence that magnesium deficiency may be an underlying cause of dysmenorrhea. Magnesium deficiency is extremely prevalent, affecting up to 75% of women.

Scientific Proof

Two clinical trials have demonstrated magnesium's effectiveness for treating period pain.

In 1978 researchers conducted a clinical trial where women with dysmenorrhoea received 100 mg of magnesium (along with 100 mg of vitamin B6) every two hours as need during their period and four times per day for the rest of the month until magnesium deficiency had been rectified (for four to six months). This treatment resulted in a progressive decrease in the intensity and duration of menstrual cramps. This study demonstrated that magnesium deficiency is a common cause of period pain and that restoring magnesium levels to normal by using magnesium supplements can prevent period pain.

A 1990 study tested the therapeutic effect of magnesium in 32 women aged 16 to 42 years of age with primary dysmenorrhea. Magnesium supplements were given to eleven women (orally) and the remainder of the group received a placebo compound on the day preceding menstruation and on the first and second days of the menstrual cycle. The study continued for six menstrual cycles. Magnesium was found to relieve back pain and lower abdominal pain on the second and third days of the menstrual cycle. Magnesium treatment as also associated with a significant reduction in the number of days of absence from work.

Vitamin B6 Helps Magnesium

Vitamin B6 helps magnesium to get into the cells where it is needed. A clinical trial has demonstrated that vitamin B6 used in conjunction with magnesium improves the effectiveness of magnesium for treating period pain.

The Take-Home Message

• Women with period pain should use 400 - 1,000 mg per day of magnesium.
• Magnesium therapy for period pain is even more effective when it is used together with 100 mg of vitamin B6 per day. If testing for magnesium deficiency, women should ensure that cellular levels are tested, not serum levels.
• The best forms of supplemental magnesium are magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium lactate, magnesium orotate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium picolinate and magnesium taurate.