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.
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
Topics
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