--- title: Is suicide more likely during certain phases of the menstrual cycle? description: Among 50 women who died by suicide, more deaths occurred during the early and late proliferative phases. However, the sample is very small and based only on d url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/cross-sectional-study-on-the-correlation-between-menstrual-cycle-phases-and-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is suicide more likely during certain phases of the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2025 # Is suicide more likely during certain phases of the menstrual cycle? Among 50 women who died by suicide, more deaths occurred during the early and late proliferative phases. However, the sample is very small and based only on deceased women with no living comparison group, so causation cannot be established. Early or limited evidence 50 women aged 12-50 who died by suicide in Northeastern India ## What they did Cross-sectional comparative study of 50 women aged 12-50 who died by suicide in Northeastern India. Researchers performed histopathological examination of the uterus (microscopic tissue analysis) to determine which phase of the menstrual cycle each woman was in at the time of death. ## What they found Among the 50 suicide cases, the early proliferative phase accounted for 18 cases (36%), the late proliferative phase for 14 cases (28%), the late secretory phase for 8 cases (16%), the menstrual phase for 4 cases (8%), pregnancy for 4 cases (8%), and the early secretory phase for 2 cases (4%). The distribution of deaths across menstrual phases was not random (p<0.001), with overrepresentation in the proliferative phases. No significant association was found between menstrual phase and suicide method (p=0.460). ## What it means for you Deaths by suicide were not evenly distributed across menstrual cycle phases, with more occurring during the proliferative phases than expected by chance. However, this study cannot establish whether menstrual cycle changes caused suicides or simply occurred at the same time. The main limitations are the very small sample and lack of a comparison group of living women. 50 women who died by suicide 36% in early proliferative phase 28% in late proliferative phase ## About the study Original title Cross-Sectional Study on the Correlation Between Menstrual Cycle Phases and Suicidal Behavior: A Histological Analysis Authors Nath A, Jain P, Hazarika P Journal Cureus Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 22 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.7759/cureus.81346](https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.81346) Original abstract Background Suicide remains a significant global public health issue. The influence of menstrual cycle phases on mental health, especially in conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), has raised concerns about possible connections between hormonal changes and suicidal tendencies. Previous research has produced mixed findings regarding the relationship between menstrual phases and suicide. This study aims to investigate this potential correlation through histopathological examination. Methods This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at a government medical college in Northeastern India, involving 50 women who died by suicide, aged 12-50 years. Histopathological examination of the uterus was used to determine the menstrual cycle phase of the deceased. Data collection was performed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States), and statistical analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results Among the 50 suicide cases, the early proliferative phase accounted for 18 cases (36%), followed by the late proliferative phase with 14 cases (28%), the late secretory phase with eight cases (16%), the menstrual phase with four cases (8%), pregnancy with four cases (8%), and the early secretory phase with two cases (4%). Hanging was the predominant method of suicide, accounting for 32 cases (64%). The majority of suicide victims (n=22; 44%) were between the ages of 16 and 20. Statistical analysis indicated no significant association between menstrual phase and method of suicide (p=0.460) or between age group and menstrual phase (p=0.243). However, the distribution of suicide cases across menstrual phases showed statistical significance (p<0.001), with an overrepresentation in the proliferative phases. Conclusion The findings revealed that the distribution of suicide cases across menstrual phases is not random, with a statistically significant overrepresentation in the proliferative phases. The choice of suicide method does not appear to be significantly associated with the menstrual phase, suggesting that other factors influence method selection. However, due to the small sample size, the detection of smaller but clinically relevant associations may be limited. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[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 Interview study, 2025 How common is suicidal thinking in women with PMDD? Cohort study, 2021 Do women with premenstrual disorders have a higher risk of injury? Systematic review, 2021 Are women with PMS or PMDD more likely to think about or attempt suicide? Systematic review, 2021 Does PMDD increase the risk of suicidality? Survey study, 2026 Are PMS and PMDD linked to suicidal thoughts and violence toward family? Cohort study, 2026 Does suicidal thinking and self-harm follow the menstrual cycle in PMDD? 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