Magnesium and the premenstrual syndrome.

Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium were measured in 105 patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) using a simple atomic absorption spectroscopy method. The erythrocyte magnesium concentration for the patients with PMS was significantly lower than that of a normal population. The plasma magnesium did not show this difference. The significance of this apparent cellular deficiency of magnesium is discussed.