Magnesium and Cramping

Description

Hysteroscopy (an exam to look inside the uterus) is one of the most frequently performed procedures for patients with cervical or uterine disorders. It is the gold standard for evaluating various intrauterine problems, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal abnormal uterine bleeding, as well as being a vital examination modality for infertility work-up. Although hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, it is still known to be a painful experience that requires effective analgesia (meaning pain reduction) to achieve maximum patient comfort and cooperation. Historically, opioids, particularly fentanyl, have held precedence as the primary agents for providing analgesia following surgery of this type. However, despite their efficacy, these agents come with notable drawbacks, including the potential for serious side effects such as respiratory depression, addiction, and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Both magnesium and ketamine are routinely used to reduce pain following this procedure. Both drugs work on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain to reduce pain, and magnesium has an additional effect in that it can relax smooth muscles. Magnesium has been used successfully to reduce the pain associated with menstrual cramps, which is similar to the pain patients experience after hysteroscopy. A recent study demonstrated the benefits of adding intravenous magnesium with routine anesthesia during hysteroscopy, revealing a significant decrease in postoperative pain and rescue analgesics. However, this study did not compare the effects of magnesium to ketamine, nor did they characterize the nature of the patients' pain. It is unclear if the pain reduction with magnesium comes from its effect on the NMDA receptor or from it's cramp-reduction effect. We seek to establish whether administering IV magnesium, compared to ketamine, can specifically mitigate uterine cramping pain and total opioid consumption in hopes of finding additional safe and effective pain modalities for patients. This is a prospective, randomized trial enrolling participants undergoing an elective hysteroscopy or Dilation and Curettage (D\&C) at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak. Participants will be randomized to 1 of 3 treatments: Intravenous (IV) Magnesium, IV Push Ketamine, or Placebo. Opioid consumption is recorded via the electronic medical record (EMR), while overall pain and cramping pain will be captured post-procedure in the hospital and 24 hours later via a phone call.

Conditions

Uterine Cramps, Postoperative Pain Management, Hysteroscopy

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Hysteroscopy (an exam to look inside the uterus) is one of the most frequently performed procedures for patients with cervical or uterine disorders. It is the gold standard for evaluating various intrauterine problems, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal abnormal uterine bleeding, as well as being a vital examination modality for infertility work-up. Although hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, it is still known to be a painful experience that requires effective analgesia (meaning pain reduction) to achieve maximum patient comfort and cooperation. Historically, opioids, particularly fentanyl, have held precedence as the primary agents for providing analgesia following surgery of this type. However, despite their efficacy, these agents come with notable drawbacks, including the potential for serious side effects such as respiratory depression, addiction, and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Both magnesium and ketamine are routinely used to reduce pain following this procedure. Both drugs work on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain to reduce pain, and magnesium has an additional effect in that it can relax smooth muscles. Magnesium has been used successfully to reduce the pain associated with menstrual cramps, which is similar to the pain patients experience after hysteroscopy. A recent study demonstrated the benefits of adding intravenous magnesium with routine anesthesia during hysteroscopy, revealing a significant decrease in postoperative pain and rescue analgesics. However, this study did not compare the effects of magnesium to ketamine, nor did they characterize the nature of the patients' pain. It is unclear if the pain reduction with magnesium comes from its effect on the NMDA receptor or from it's cramp-reduction effect. We seek to establish whether administering IV magnesium, compared to ketamine, can specifically mitigate uterine cramping pain and total opioid consumption in hopes of finding additional safe and effective pain modalities for patients. This is a prospective, randomized trial enrolling participants undergoing an elective hysteroscopy or Dilation and Curettage (D\&C) at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak. Participants will be randomized to 1 of 3 treatments: Intravenous (IV) Magnesium, IV Push Ketamine, or Placebo. Opioid consumption is recorded via the electronic medical record (EMR), while overall pain and cramping pain will be captured post-procedure in the hospital and 24 hours later via a phone call.

Evaluating the Impacts of Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate and Ketamine on Cramping Pain and Total Opioid Consumption Following Hysteroscopy: A Prospective, Randomized Trial

Magnesium and Cramping

Condition
Uterine Cramps
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Royal Oak

Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States, 48073

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Patients undergoing an elective hysteroscopy or dilation and curettage (D\&C)
  • * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status 1 - 3
  • * Age 18 years or older
  • * Chronic Pain Patients (taking opioids within one week of procedure)
  • * Psychiatric Disorders (current treatment for anxiety/depression)
  • * Allergies to any of the medications that will be administered
  • * Current use of magnesium, analgesics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, or opioids
  • * ASA Physical Status 4 or above
  • * Developmentally delayed patients that would not be able to verbalize pain scores
  • * Minors (under 18 years of age)
  • * Pregnant women

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

William Beaumont Hospitals,

Ray Soto, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, William Beaumont Hospitals

Study Record Dates

2025-12