Magnesium supplementation, including magnesium malate, is sometimes used to help manage menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Scientific evidence for magnesium’s effectiveness in this context is modest but present. Several clinical studies—including randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses—have investigated the role of magnesium in reducing the severity and duration of menstrual pain. A 2017 Cochrane review concluded that oral magnesium appears to be more effective than placebo for pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea, though the quality of evidence was rated as low to moderate due to small sample sizes and methodological limitations.

The proposed mechanism is that magnesium may help relax smooth muscle in the uterus and reduce the production of prostaglandins, compounds involved in pain and inflammation. Magnesium malate specifically is often chosen for its higher bioavailability and gentler gastrointestinal profile compared to other forms of magnesium.

However, there is a lack of direct clinical trials specifically on magnesium malate and menstrual cramps; most studies use magnesium oxide or citrate. Therefore, while the use of magnesium for menstrual cramps has some scientific backing, evidence specifically for magnesium malate is indirect. The overall strength of evidence supporting magnesium supplementation for menstrual cramps is rated at 2 out of 5.