Why Magnesium Is Your Periods’ New Best Friend

Why Magnesium Is Your Periods’ New Best Friend

If there was only one supplement/nutrient I could take for the rest of my life, it would be our old friend magnesium. By the end of this article, it will probably be your top choice too! Let’s explore.

Magnesium is a mineral essential for over 300 processes and chemical reactions in the body.

Top functions of magnesium

  • Supports the nervous system, the HPO axis and reduces stress
  • Supports sleep
  • Supports muscle contractility
  • Improves insulin sensitivity (important with PCOS)
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Reduces pain
  • Supports ovulation
  • Builds progesterone
  • Supports oestrogen detoxification

And so much more! 300+ more things to be exact!

Is supplementation necessary?

Whilst in an ideal world we would be able to get all of the magnesium we require from our food and nutrition alone, for most of us this isn’t possible. Industrial farming practices have eroded the mineral content in the soil, meaning foods grown today contain lower levels of nutrients than they did in previous generations, purely due to the depletion of the soil.

In addition, many medications can deplete magnesium levels (including the pill!).

Our bodies also churn through magnesium when under stress. If you’re living in the modern world, your magnesium likely needs some extra TLC.

Magnesium is a relatively safe and well-tolerated supplement for many and can be an easy addition to your daily routine.

The quality of your supplement is important. Paying attention to both the dose and form of magnesium you’re taking is vital to achieving the outcomes you’re aiming for. There are many various forms of magnesium, we recommend steering clear of magnesium oxide and opting for forms such as magnesium glycinate and magnesium citrate.

How magnesium benefits menstrual health

There are a few circumstances relating to menstrual health where magnesium wouldn’t be beneficial.

Some conditions that do well with magnesium supplementation include

  • Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
  • Endometriosis
  • Adenomyosis
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Hypothalamic amenorrhoea
  • Low progesterone
  • High oestrogen
  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • PMS
  • PMDD
  • Perimenopause
  • Menopause

Foods rich in magnesium

It’s important to still try to get good sources of magnesium through your food. Some foods rich in magnesium include:

  • Dark leafy green veggies
  • Chicken
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Pork
  • Beef
  • Turkey
  • Lamb
  • Hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds
  • Coconut milk

Is magnesium on your favourites list yet? There’s not much it can’t do!

Before starting any new supplement, it’s important to check with your trusted healthcare practitioner to ensure it’s right for you.

 

Author

Lauren Curtain

Lauren Curtain is a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, women's health focused acupuncturist and herbalist. She centres her practice around supporting women to navigate their hormones, menstrual cycles and fertility using a combination of education (all the women’s health info you didn't get in high school), acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition and lifestyle support. Lauren believes every woman has the right to know how her body works, and what she can do to optimise not only her reproductive health, but whole body health. Lauren has seen firsthand with her patients the dramatic improvements that can be made to reproductive health through simple, inexpensive, non-invasive techniques and firmly believes symptomatic periods and menstrual cycles can be a thing of the past and we can embody a thriving fertile life.

 

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