---
title: Do zinc, copper, and magnesium help PMS? | Niyora
description: These minerals affect mood regulation and appear to work through similar pathways as PMS. However, the review does not provide clear evidence that supplements
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/zinc-copper-and-magnesium-in-premenstrual-disorders-a-narrative-review-2025/
---

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- Do zinc, copper, and magnesium help PMS?

Survey study, 2025

# Do zinc, copper, and magnesium help PMS?

These minerals affect mood regulation and appear to work through similar pathways as PMS. However, the review does not provide clear evidence that supplements help PMS symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable. This is a review of published studies.

## What they did

A review of published studies on zinc, copper, and magnesium levels in PMS, and on the effects of supplements of these minerals.

## What they found

Two key mechanisms appear to drive PMS: lower estrogen levels during the second half of the cycle, which leads to lower levels of serotonin (a brain chemical), and reduced sensitivity to another brain chemical that affects balance between other brain chemicals. Zinc, copper, and magnesium play roles in mood regulation through similar pathways. The review examined studies on whether mineral levels are different in PMS and on whether taking supplements helps, and discussed limitations of current research.

## What it means for you

There is a scientific reason why these minerals might help PMS since they affect mood pathways. However, more research is needed to know if supplements actually help PMS symptoms. This is a review of existing studies, not new research testing minerals.

2

main PMS mechanisms described

## About the study

Original title Zinc, copper, and magnesium in premenstrual disorders: a narrative review Authors Krupa AJ, Zybała-Pawłowska M, Kania M et al. Journal Pharmacological reports : PR Year 2025 Study design Survey study What was tested Zinc, copper, and magnesium supplementation (reviewed, not tested) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s43440-025-00791-w](https://doi.org/10.1007/s43440-025-00791-w) Original abstract

Premenstrual disorders (PMD) are a prevalent health issue and often co-occur with mood disorders. The pathophysiology of PMD has not yet been thoroughly described. Two mechanisms appear to be crucial in PMD: (1) lower estrogen levels during the luteal phase, leading to a subsequent decrease in serotonin (5-HT) transmission, and (2) reduced sensitivity to allopregnanolone, resulting in an imbalance in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glutamate signaling and an increase in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation. The roles of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg) in mood disorders are well-established, and they appear to be associated with PMD through similar pathways. Therefore, this narrative review provides background information on the roles of Zn, Cu, and Mg in mood regulation and discusses the impact of these trace elements on this process. The results presented, summarizing data from studies: (1) exploring the associations between Zn, Cu, and Mg levels and PMD, and (2) verifying the effects of Zn, Cu, and Mg supplementation on PMD symptoms. Finally, the caveats of current PMD research and the implications of the available data for everyday clinical practice are discussed.Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Magnesium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-magnesium/)[Zinc and iron](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-zinc-iron/)

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