--- title: Are suicide attempts more common during certain phases of the menstrual cycle? description: Yes, 59% of suicide attempts occurred during the last 4 days of the luteal phase and during the 4 days of menses. However, the study could not explain why, si url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/clinical-and-psychometric-features-of-psychiatric-patients-after-a-suicide-2019/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are suicide attempts more common during certain phases of the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2019 # Are suicide attempts more common during certain phases of the menstrual cycle? Yes, 59% of suicide attempts occurred during the last 4 days of the luteal phase and during the 4 days of menses. However, the study could not explain why, since no depression, aggression, or other psychiatric features measured were related to this timing. Early or limited evidence 70 fertile women with psychiatric conditions, hospitalized after a suicide attempt ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 70 women hospitalized after a suicide attempt. Researchers measured depression, suicide intent, aggression, and other psychiatric symptoms using standard questionnaires, and noted which day of the menstrual cycle each attempt occurred. ## What they found 59% of attempts occurred during 8 specific days (the last 4 days of the luteal phase plus the 4 days of menses). The pattern of timing was similar across different types of patients and attempts. However, no psychiatric features assessed were related to the higher frequency of attempts during these premenstrual and menstrual days. ## What it means for you Suicide attempts in women with psychiatric conditions may follow a pattern related to the menstrual cycle, but this study did not determine why. It looked only at women already hospitalized with serious psychiatric illness, so findings may not apply to all women. Researchers note that other aspects of suicidal behavior should be included in future studies. 70 women studied 59% of attempts during last 4 days of luteal phase and 4 days of menses 8 days total high-risk days ## About the study Original title Clinical and psychometric features of psychiatric patients after a suicide attempt in relation with menstrual cycle phases Authors Papadopoulou A, Efstathiou V, Christodoulou C et al. Journal Archives of women's mental health Year 2019 Study design Survey study What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0934-y](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0934-y) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2023 Does the menstrual cycle affect how often women have suicidal thoughts? Randomised trial, 2020 Does an oxaloacetate and vitamin C combination reduce emotional symptoms of PMS? Survey study, 2026 Do teen girls with ADHD have more suicidal thoughts when angry before their period? Study, 2024 Can PMDD be severe enough to lead to self-harm, and does treatment help? Survey study, 2016 Is premenstrual syndrome associated with suicide risk personality traits? Case-control study, 1995 How often do women experience suicidal thoughts during the premenstrual period? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗