---
title: Is there a link between the menstrual cycle and suicide attempts?
description: The study found a possible difference in suicide attempts during pre-ovulation, but this finding was unreliable. Both groups visited hospitals more during pre
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/attempted-suicide-and-menstrual-cycle-an-epidemiologic-study-1996/
---

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- Is there a link between the menstrual cycle and suicide attempts?

Survey study, 1996

# Is there a link between the menstrual cycle and suicide attempts?

The study found a possible difference in suicide attempts during pre-ovulation, but this finding was unreliable. Both groups visited hospitals more during pre-ovulation, suggesting the pattern may reflect hospital visiting patterns rather than a real link to suicide attempts.

 Early or limited evidence

Women aged 15 to 49 with suicide attempts and comparison women in Dijon

## What they did

Researchers compared women aged 15 to 49 who came to the emergency department after a suicide attempt to similar women who came for other medical reasons. They recorded information about their menstrual cycles and distributed both groups across a standard 28-day cycle.

## What they found

There was a difference between women with suicide attempts and comparison women for the pre-ovulatory period. However, this difference did not hold up when examined more carefully. Both groups showed an increase in hospital visits during the pre-ovulatory period.

## What it means for you

The connection between cycle phase and suicide attempts is uncertain. Both groups visited hospitals more during pre-ovulation, suggesting this may reflect hospital visiting patterns rather than a true link to suicide. Limitations include no sample size reported, unreliable findings, and uncertainty about cycle timing accuracy.

15-49

age range of women studied

28 days

standard cycle length used for analysis

Pre-ovulatory

phase with potential differences

## About the study

Original title [Attempted suicide and menstrual cycle. An epidemiologic study] Authors Gisselmann A, Ait Ameur A, Pinoit JM et al. Journal Annales medico-psychologiques Year 1996 Study design Survey study What was tested No intervention; comparison study of suicide attempts across menstrual cycle phases Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8694401/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8694401/)

## Topics

[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)

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