Magnesium and PMS

Note: The following abstracts are written in extremely technical language and include technical research and case studies. References are provided. For 'user-friendly' informative reading, check out the health topics presented by Dr. Martin and Dr. Davenport. Feel free to contact us for more information or if you have any questions.


Dietary calcium and manganese effects on menstrual cycle symptoms

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study was designed to determine whether dietary calcium and manganese affect menstrual symptoms in healthy women.

STUDY DESIGN: Ten women with normal menstrual cycles completed the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire each cycle during a 169-day, live-in metabolic study of calcium and manganese nutrition. Women were assigned in a double-blind, Latin-square manner to each of four 39-day dietary periods: 587 or 1336 mg calcium per day with 1.0 or 5.6 mg manganese per day. Responses were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS: Increasing calcium intake reduced mood, concentration, and behavior symptoms generally (p < or = 0.05), reduced pain during the menstrual phase of the cycle (p = 0.034), and reduced water retention during the premenstrual phase (p = 0.041). In spite of increasing calcium intake, lower dietary manganese increased mood and pain symptoms during the premenstrual phase (p < or = 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Dietary calcium and manganese may have a functional role in the manifestation of symptomatology typically associated with menstrual distress.

Penland-JG; Johnson-PE
Am-J-Obstet-Gynecol. 1993 May; 168(5): 1417-23

Premenstrual syndrome. A practical approach to management

Management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes psychosocial as well as medical therapy. Nonmedical treatment involves patient education, physician and family support, stress reduction, and dietary changes. If these methods do not alleviate symptoms, drug therapy may be necessary. Because the exact cause of PMS is unknown, treatment is largely empirical. More research is imperative to improve therapy for patients with PMS.

Devalon-ML; Bachman-JW
Postgrad-Med. 1989 Nov 15; 86(7): 51-3, 56-9



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