--- title: Does magnesium supplementation help premenstrual mood changes? description: Yes, magnesium significantly improved mood-related PMS symptoms and overall PMS scores in women taking it during the premenstrual phase. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/oral-magnesium-successfully-relieves-premenstrual-mood-changes-1991/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does magnesium supplementation help premenstrual mood changes? Randomised trial, 1991 # Does magnesium supplementation help premenstrual mood changes? Yes, magnesium significantly improved mood-related PMS symptoms and overall PMS scores in women taking it during the premenstrual phase. Moderate study design Thirty-two women aged 24 to 39 with confirmed PMS ## What they did Thirty-two women aged 24 to 39 with confirmed PMS participated in a double-blind, randomized study. After 2 months of baseline recording, women received either placebo or magnesium 360 mg three times daily for two cycles, then both groups received magnesium for two more cycles. Medication was given from day 15 of the cycle until menstrual flow began. ## What they found In the second month of treatment, magnesium significantly reduced both the total PMS score and the mood-related symptom cluster. Blood magnesium levels increased in white blood cells of women receiving magnesium. Pain was reduced in both treatment and placebo groups, suggesting a non-specific effect. ## What it means for you Taking magnesium in the premenstrual phase can improve mood symptoms of PMS. Some symptom reduction also occurred with placebo, suggesting expectations may play a role. The study was moderate-sized and well-designed. 32 women with confirmed PMS 360 mg magnesium dose three times daily 24-39 age range in years ## About the study Original title Oral magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes Authors Facchinetti F, Borella P, Sances G et al. Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 1991 Study design Randomised trial Participants 32 What was tested Magnesium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid 360 mg three times daily from day 15 of the cycle until menstrual flow versus placebo Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2067759/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2067759/) Original abstract Reduced magnesium (Mg) levels have been reported in women affected by premenstrual syndrome (PMS). To evaluate the effects of an oral Mg preparation on premenstrual symptoms, we studied, by a double-blind, randomized design, 32 women (24-39 years old) with PMS confirmed by the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. After 2 months of baseline recording, the subjects were randomly assigned to placebo or Mg for two cycles. In the next two cycles, both groups received Mg. Magnesium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (360 mg Mg) or placebo was administered three times a day, from the 15th day of the menstrual cycle to the onset of menstrual flow. Blood samples for Mg measurement were drawn premenstrually, during the baseline period, and in the second and fourth months of treatment. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire score of the cluster "pain" was significantly reduced during the second month in both groups, whereas Mg treatment significantly affected both the total Menstrual Distress Questionnaire score and the cluster "negative affect." In the second month, the women assigned to treatment showed a significant increase in Mg in lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells, whereas no changes were observed in plasma and erythrocytes. These data indicate that Mg supplementation could represent an effective treatment of premenstrual symptoms related to mood changes. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Magnesium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-magnesium/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2025 Do nutritional interventions help with emotional symptoms of PMS? Systematic review, 2013 Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms? Systematic review, 2009 Which herbs, vitamins and minerals help treat PMS? Systematic review, 2007 What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? Randomised trial, 2003 What treatments work for PMS and PMDD? Randomised trial, 2003 What complementary and alternative medicines help with women's reproductive health issues? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗