Hot flashes and magnesium

mb2226

 Another thread in this forum on Vitamin D discusses benefits of magnesium, but does not discuss its possible benefits for hot flashes. Recently, I read that magnesium was involved in temperature control, which made me wonder if it would be part of the problem in hot flashes. So, I googled "magnesium hot flash" and found the following article (published in March 2009). I haven't seen this link between magnesium and hot flashes in all my reading on how to deal with these before this.  So, I started taking a calcium-magnesium supplement and voila! no hot flashes or sweats at night.  But - I am sure there are folks who are taking magnesium who still have hot flashes, right?  Just trying to figure out, among us,whether this is real. So weigh in on either side... thanks, embee

 Magnesium Supplements for Menopausal Hot Flashes
Thomas J. Smith

The Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Hot flashes are common with natural menopause or induced estrogen deficiency from chemotherapy, tamoxifen, raloxifene, or the aromatase inhibitors. As many as 90% of perimenopausal women have hot flashes,1 and 40% of survivors of breast cancer rate their hot flashes rate the effect as "quite a bit" to "severe".2 While some women are not affected, others have significant sleep deprivation and distress.

Several treatments have proven effective including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, medroxyprogesterone, and megestrol acetate,3 but all have potential adverse effects. Antidepressants can cause mental, emotional, and physical adverse effects. Megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate, while effective, can potentially cause fluid retention, premenstrual symptoms, and deep vein thrombosis.

Recently I saw two patients with breast cancer who volunteered that when they began magnesium supplements for reasons other than hot flashes, their hot flashes diminished within 24 hours and had not returned. In each case, the person was not expecting any relief from magnesium, so placebo effect is unlikely.

J.K. is a 68-year-old woman diagnosed with stage II estrogen receptor– and progesterone receptor–negative breast cancer in July 2007. She was treated with mastectomy, chemotherapy, and trastuzamab. Her hot flashes worsened to hourly (24 per day) of moderate severity that interfered with sleep and drenched her nightclothes. Venlafaxine4 and citalopram5 were minimally helpful. She prepared for a routine colonoscopy with 300 mls of magnesium citrate, and that night had no hot flashes at all. Subsequently, she used over the counter magnesium 250 mg, and then 400 mg, with reduction in her hot flashes to three or four a day of mild severity that did not interrupt her life or sleep or cause drenching sweats. She categorized her hot flashes as very bothersome before magnesium and not bothersome after magnesium. Her sleep and overall well-being improved (J.K., personal communication, December 3, 2008).

G.F. is a 54-year-old woman who went into natural menopause at age 52, referred for early-stage breast cancer. She had hot flashes each night (three or four per night, less common during the day) that interfered with her sleep. She watched "Dr. Phil" on TV, and the guest suggested a combination of Vitamin D at 400 U, calcium at 1,200 mg, and magnesium at 600 mg for weight loss (the purported mechanism was to turn fats into soaps that would not be absorbed). She began these supplements, and overnight her hot flashes diminished to half their frequency and severity. She also described her prior hot flashes as very bothersome, and nonexistent after beginning the regimen (G.F., personal communication, December 5, 2008).

Magnesium has been used for years to treat hypertension,6 eclampsia,7 and other cardiovascular or nerve disorders.8 however, there are no reports in the medical literature that show effectiveness. Magnesium is the fourth most common mineral in the human body. The upper levels of supplemental magnesium for men and women are 350 mg/day. Physicians may prescribe higher doses for treatment of osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiac conditions, and various neurologic conditions. Since magnesium levels are tightly controlled by the body, excess is excreted in the urine and stool.

A natural, inexpensive, readily available treatment would be helpful to many women and men undergoing hot flashes. A pilot trial of magnesium oxide supplements is planned according to the protocol outlined by Loprinzi et al.11

lvtwoqlt

I have noticed that when I forget to take my multi vitamin (with calcium and magnesium) my hot flashes are more prevlant at night but never connected the two things.

Sheila

rgiuff

That's funny, I'm a nurse working in Labor & Delivery, and when we give magnesium infusions for preeclamsia, we always warn the patient., this could cause you to feel hot and some weakness.  And many of them do report feeling heated as a side effect.  So this study is showing the opposite effect.  Interesting.

wallycat

I take over 600mg of magnesium and have had no effects with hot flashes.

I do notice that if I drink Rooibos tea, I have much fewer hot flashes.

Welga

I take 300 mg magnesium citrate and was wondering why Fermara was not giving me as much hot flashes as the other ladies on this board. That must me the reason.....

trigeek

ok I am digging out my magnesium citrate and double dosing tonite lol..

luckofthedraw

I take magnesium at night, and AM having hot flashes.  Maybe I should try it midday instead, and report back. 

Welga

In my experience the effect of magnesium takes about 2 to 3 weeks to kick in. And I realized that from one brand to another the effects are not the same. The best in my opinion (tried about 3 brands) is Natural Factors.

pip57

I have been noticing a LOT less hot flashes for the last few months. I checked my records and found that I started taking 250mg of magnesium twice a day about two months before I noticed this change. I wonder??

PS73

Ive been taking mg for two and a half months at different times of the day and have brutal hot flashes.  These occur at least once an hour and last for between five and twenty minutes.  I stopped sleeping soundly but I don't want any more drugs.  i AM going to try the roobious tea though

fortunate1

I was given magnesium for preeclampsia during labor. It gave me a big warm flush of heat. I now take Femara, and calcium and magnesium......no hot flashes, just a few minor night sweats.