Background: Menopause is marked by decreased female sex hormones and many of the symptoms experienced during this phase may be related to changes in serum levels of certain trace minerals especially calcium and magnesium.

Aim: The main purpose of the study was to measure serum calcium and magnesium in postmenopausal women and to compare with that in pre-menopausal women.

Methods: Serum calcium and magnesium were estimated in 30 postmenopausal women and 30 premenopausal women, who were selected following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical analysis was done by using Graph pad Quickcalcs calculator. Student's unpaired t test was done to compare between both groups and p-value was determined to know the statistical significance.

Results: Postmenopausal women were found to have lower serum calcium (8.659±0.91) and serum magnesium (1.63±0.16) when compared to premenopausal women who  had serum calcium of (9.604 ± 0.70) and serum magnesium (2.48±0.55). The lowered calcium and magnesium levels were found to be extremely statistically significant with a p-value of <0.0001.

Conclusion: Serum calcium and magnesium were decreased in post-menopausal women when compared to pre-menopausal women, which needs to be corrected to avoid certain postmenopausal symptoms and other serious health problems. This may improve cardiovascular and bone health in post menopausal women.

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Dr. Lanke Vani

Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India