Role of Magnesium In Female Sexual Health
Kobi NathanShare
Magnesium plays a significant role in female sexual health, particularly in relation to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Magnesium deficiency has been implicated in the pathophysiology of PMS.
Pathophysiology is the study of how diseases or injuries change the way the body normally works. It helps explain what’s going wrong in the body when someone is sick.
Studies have shown that women with PMS often have lower intracellular magnesium levels, and magnesium supplementation has been found to improve PMS symptoms.
For instance, a pilot study demonstrated that a modified-release magnesium tablet significantly reduced PMS symptoms over three menstrual cycles.[1]
Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that while the overall association between serum magnesium and PMS was inconclusive, there was a significant association in studies conducted outside the USA, suggesting regional differences in magnesium status and PMS.[2]
In the context of PCOS, magnesium supplementation has shown beneficial effects on patient metabolic profiles and clinical symptoms.
A randomized controlled trial found that magnesium supplementation for eight weeks resulted in reduced body mass index (BMI) and testosterone levels, as well as increased dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations in women with PCOS.[3]
Furthermore, magnesium is essential for various physiological processes, including muscle relaxation, which can influence uterine contractility and potentially alleviate dysmenorrhea.[4]
Overall, magnesium supplementation can be beneficial in managing symptoms associated with PMS and PCOS, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining overall female reproductive health.
References:
- Pilot Study of the Efficacy and Safety of a Modified-Release Magnesium 250 Mg Tablet (Sincromag) for the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome. Quaranta S, Buscaglia MA, Meroni MG, Colombo E, Cella S. Clinical Drug Investigation. 2007;27(1):51-8. doi:10.2165/00044011-200727010-00004.
- The Association Between Serum Magnesium and Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Moslehi M, Arab A, Shadnoush M, Hajianfar H. Biological Trace Element Research. 2019;192(2):145-152. doi:10.1007/s12011-019-01672-z.
- Clinical and Metabolic Responses to Magnesium Supplementation in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Farsinejad-Marj M, Azadbakht L, Mardanian F, Saneei P, Esmaillzadeh A. Biological Trace Element Research. 2020;196(2):349-358. doi:10.1007/s12011-019-01923-z.
- Magnesium in Prevention and Therapy. Gröber U, Schmidt J, Kisters K. Nutrients. 2015;7(9):8199-226. doi:10.3390/nu7095388.