From the Guidelines
Magnesium is not a recommended treatment for alleviating nocturnal hyperhidrosis (night sweats) and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) based on the most recent and highest quality evidence. The provided studies do not support the use of magnesium for this purpose. Instead, lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol intake may help minimize vasomotor symptoms, as suggested by the 2017 study 1. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to reduce vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer survivors, as demonstrated in a trial where CBT lessened the perceived burden of hot flashes 1. Other nonhormonal treatments, such as venlafaxine, paroxetine, and gabapentin, have also been found to be effective in treating hot flashes in women with breast cancer, according to a 2008 study 1.
Key points to consider:
- Lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss and smoking cessation, may help alleviate hot flashes and night sweats
- CBT has been shown to reduce vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer survivors
- Nonhormonal treatments, such as venlafaxine, paroxetine, and gabapentin, are effective in treating hot flashes in women with breast cancer
- Magnesium is not a recommended treatment for nocturnal hyperhidrosis and vasomotor symptoms based on the available evidence.
From the Research
Magnesium and Nocturnal Hyperhidrosis (Night Sweats) and Vasomotor Symptoms (Hot Flashes)
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that magnesium can help alleviate nocturnal hyperhidrosis (night sweats) and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, magnesium is essential for the regulation of muscular contraction, blood pressure, insulin metabolism, cardiac excitability, vasomotor tone, nerve transmission, and neuromuscular conduction 6.
- Some studies suggest that dietary modifications and food supplements, such as soy isoflavones, may help reduce the frequency and/or severity of vasomotor symptoms (VMS), including hot flushes and night sweats 5.
- Adopting a healthier dietary pattern may support a healthy body weight and benefit VMS, but evidence is largely observational 5.
- The provided studies do not specifically investigate the role of magnesium in alleviating nocturnal hyperhidrosis and vasomotor symptoms, but rather discuss other treatment approaches, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and alternative therapies 2, 3, 4.