What Causes Low Magnesium? 15 Common Causes (You Should Know)

Birth Control Pills

Taking birth control pills is another cause of low magnesium. The hormones in these pills can increase a person’s loss of magnesium, especially if they take a lot of them. This can be a problem because magnesium plays a role in bone health and hormone balance, which the pill disrupts.

If a woman is on birth control pills and experiences symptoms such as muscle cramps or fatigue, it may be due to her low levels of this mineral. Taking supplements could help prevent these symptoms from occurring in the first place. Other drugs can also cause low magnesium levels. These include diuretics, which treat high blood pressure and edema (swelling), and certain antibiotics, such as gentamicin.