Fluid retention premenstrual

The disadvantages of these phased combinations are fluid retention, poor relief of dysmenorrhoea and the premenstrual syndrome and a relatively high medication error rate. 

Adverse effects include acne, urticaria, fluid retention, weight changes, GI disturbances, change in libido, breast discomfort, premenstrual symptoms, irregular menstrual cycles, chloasma, depression, pyrexia, insomnia, somnolence, alopecia, hirsutism and rarely jaundice. Injection may be painful. 

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), as its name implies, is a constellation of symptoms which recur at monthly intervals during the seven to 10 days before the onset of menstrual bleeding and abate shortly after menstruation starts. The symptoms can be psychological, such as lowering of mood and irritability somatic, such as breast tenderness, feelings of bloatedness and signs of fluid retention behavioural, such as changes in food consumption and in appetite. If the symptoms are severe, the condition may qualify for the DSM-IV label of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD occurs in some 5% of normal women. 

Magnesium is involved with many neuromuscular activities and cellular pathways that may affect PMS. Low intracellular magnesium levels have been reported in women with PMS compared with controls. It has been suggested that PMS may be related to an increased serum calcium-to-magnesium ratio. Daily or luteal magnesium supplementation of 200-360 mg/day was reported to be minimally helpful in reducing premenstrual fluid retention in women with PMS. A daily supplementation of 200 mg magnesium and 50 mg pyridoxine was found to reduce anxiety-related premenstrual symptoms in women with PMS compared with placebo. ... 

Abnormalities in calcium or parathyroid hormone homeostasis may be a factor in depression. Significant fluctuations in calcitonin, a calcium-regulating hormone, and low plasma calcium levels during the menstrual cycle may play a part in the etiology of PMS. Calcium influx into brain cells is involved with the release of many neurotransmitters. Calcium supplementation (e.g., 1200-1600 mg/day of calcium carbonate in two divided doses) has been shown to reduce premenstrual symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, headache, fluid retention, and cramps. " " Calcium supplementation may help to prevent osteoporosis later in life, and it is a relatively safe and inexpensive treatment. ... 

Walker AF, DeSouza MC, Vickers MF, et al. Magnesium supplementation alleviates premenstrual symptoms of fluid retention. J Womens Health 1998 7 1157-1165. 

---