RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

12-week Magnesium Supplementation on Peri-menopause Symptoms, Cognition, Sleep, and Psychological Well-being

This study aims to understand if taking magnesium supplements can help women experiencing perimenopause symptoms. Perimenopause is the time before menopause when hormones change, leading to symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating. While some women use hormone replacement therapy, others seek different options. Magnesium is a popular supplement, but there hasn't been much research on its effects specifically during perimenopause. This 12-week trial will give some women magnesium hydroxide and others a dummy pill (placebo) to see if magnesium can improve their symptoms, sleep, thinking abilities, and general well-being. It's for women aged 40 to 60 who are experiencing troublesome perimenopause symptoms.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Northumbria University

Enrolment target

Start

09 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2026

Perimenopause Perimenopausal Women Perimenopause, Climacteric Syndrome

What is this study about?

This study is looking into the effects of magnesium supplements for women who are going through perimenopause. Perimenopause is a normal stage in a woman's life, usually between the ages of 45 and 55, when her body starts to change as she approaches menopause. During this time, hormone levels naturally shift, which can lead to a range of symptoms. These often include hot flushes, night sweats, changes in mood, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, and problems with memory or concentration. These symptoms can sometimes be quite strong and affect a woman's daily life.

While some women choose Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to help manage these symptoms, not everyone can take HRT, or some prefer to explore other options. Many women look into natural remedies or supplements, even though there isn't always a lot of scientific research to back them up, especially for perimenopause. Magnesium is one supplement that has become quite popular, with many people suggesting it can help with things like sleep and energy. However, we don't have much clear evidence from studies specifically looking at how it affects perimenopause symptoms.

The main goal of this particular study is to explore if taking a magnesium supplement over 12 weeks can make a difference. The researchers want to see if it improves perimenopause symptoms, helps with thinking and memory, leads to better sleep, and boosts overall mood and well-being. To do this, some women will take a magnesium supplement, while others will take a 'dummy' pill (called a placebo). This comparison helps the researchers understand if any changes are truly due to the magnesium or just other factors.

Key takeaways

This study explores if magnesium helps perimenopause symptoms.
Perimenopause can cause various symptoms like mood swings and sleep problems.
Participants will take either a magnesium supplement or a dummy pill for 12 weeks.
The study aims to improve understanding of non-HRT options for perimenopause.
It could offer insights into how magnesium affects sleep, mood, and thinking skills.
It's a remote study, meaning no in-person visits are required.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for women aged between 40 and 60 years old. To be considered, you should be experiencing bothersome perimenopause symptoms that have started in the last six months. It's important that you are still having periods, even if they are irregular, and haven't gone a full 12 months without one (which would mean you are post-menopausal).

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join the study. You shouldn't be pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. If you have any allergies to nuts, you wouldn't be able to take part. Also, if you've recently taken certain medications for depression or anxiety, or other medicines that can strongly affect your thinking or sleep, you might not be eligible.

If you regularly take magnesium supplements more than a few days a month, or if you've already had medically induced menopause, this study might not be suitable for you. The aim is to study magnesium's effects on natural perimenopausal symptoms and ensure the results are clear.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman between 40 and 60 years old?
Are you currently experiencing bothersome perimenopause symptoms?
Have you NOT gone 12 full months without a period?
Are you NOT pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant?
Have you NOT taken certain mood-affecting or sleep-affecting medications in the last 6 months?
Do you NOT regularly take magnesium supplements (more than 3-4 days a month)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be assigned to take either a magnesium hydroxide supplement or a dummy pill (placebo) every day for 12 weeks. You won't know which one you're taking. Throughout these 12 weeks, you’ll be asked to complete questionnaires about your symptoms, sleep, mood, and how well you’re thinking. There might also be some cognitive tests focusing on memory and concentration. All participation will be done remotely, meaning you won't need to attend any in-person visits. The total duration of your active involvement in the study will be about 3 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in a study like this might offer some potential benefits, such as contributing to new knowledge about managing perimenopause symptoms, which could help many women in the future. You might also find that your symptoms improve during the study, whether you're taking the active supplement or the placebo. Potential risks are generally low for magnesium, but some people might experience mild digestive upset. You'll be closely monitored for any side effects. It's very important to remember that you are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

School of Psychology, Northumbria University
Verified postcode
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What exactly is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the natural transition period leading up to menopause, when your body starts to make less of certain hormones. You might still have periods, but they can become irregular, and you might experience various symptoms like hot flushes or mood changes.

What is magnesium's role in the body?

Magnesium is an important mineral involved in many body functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, and blood pressure regulation. It's also linked to energy production and has been suggested to play a role in sleep and mood.

What is a 'placebo'?

A placebo is a 'dummy' pill or treatment that looks exactly like the real treatment but contains no active medicine. It's used so researchers can compare its effects to the actual drug, helping them understand if the drug itself is causing any changes.

Will I know if I'm taking the real magnesium or the placebo?

No, you won't know if you're taking the actual magnesium supplement or the placebo. This is a common practice in studies to ensure the results are as unbiased as possible.

What if my perimenopause symptoms get worse during the study?

If your symptoms worsen or you have any concerns during the study, you should always consult with your regular doctor. You are also free to withdraw from the study at any time.

How to find out more

Crystal Haskell-Ramsay

crystal.haskell-ramsay@northumbria.ac.uk +44 191 2274875 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.