Magnesium for premenstrual syndrome: what to know

Premenstrual syndrome describes physical or emotional symptoms that recur before a period and improve after bleeding starts. Symptoms may include bloating, cramps, breast tenderness, headaches, irritability or low mood. Magnesium is involved in muscle and nerve function, so it may be relevant to cramps or general dietary intake, but a recurring pattern matters more than any single symptom. [Breast Pain](/symptoms/breast-pain/) can have causes other than PMS.

Record symptoms each day across at least two cycles, including timing, severity, bleeding and medicines. Eat regular meals with vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains, and consider gentle movement, sleep routines and stress support. If you try magnesium, discuss the product and dose with a pharmacist, particularly if you have kidney disease or take regular medicines. Stop and seek advice if it causes troublesome diarrhoea, cramping or another reaction. A clinician may discuss other options, including the [Combined Pill](/treatments/contraception-and-family-planning/combined-pill/), when suitable.

Arrange care when symptoms are severe, persist beyond the premenstrual phase, suddenly change or affect work, relationships or safety. Seek urgent help for severe depression, thoughts of self-harm, fainting, severe pain, very heavy bleeding or a possible pregnancy with pain or bleeding. A symptom diary can help distinguish PMS from another condition.

Do my symptoms follow a PMS pattern? Could another condition or medicine be contributing? Is magnesium appropriate for me? What treatments are suitable if mood symptoms or pain remain disruptive?