---
title: Does menstruation increase suicide risk? | Niyora
description: The study found that 25% of women who died by suicide were menstruating, compared to 4.5% of the control group, suggesting a possible connection. However, the
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstruation-and-suicide-a-histopathological-study-2009/
---

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- Does menstruation increase suicide risk?

Case-control study, 2009

# Does menstruation increase suicide risk?

The study found that 25% of women who died by suicide were menstruating, compared to 4.5% of the control group, suggesting a possible connection. However, the researchers emphasize serious methodological limitations.

 Early or limited evidence

56 women who died by suicide and 44 women who died from other causes, studied at a hospital in New Delhi, India

## What they did

Examined tissue from the uterus in 56 women who died by suicide and 44 women who died from other causes to determine which menstrual cycle phase they were in at the time of death.

## What they found

25% of women who died by suicide were menstruating at the time of death, compared to 4.5% of the control group.

## What it means for you

The study suggests menstruation might be associated with suicide, but the authors emphasize major methodological problems including issues with tissue preservation and examination. Understanding this relationship requires considering broader psychological, social, and cultural factors.

25%

women who died by suicide who were menstruating

4.5%

women in control group who were menstruating

56

women who died by suicide studied

## About the study

Original title Menstruation and suicide: a histopathological study Authors Leenaars AA, Dogra TD, Girdhar S et al. Journal Crisis Year 2009 Study design Case-control study Participants 56 What was tested None. Retrospective study of menstrual cycle phase at time of death. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.30.4.202](https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.30.4.202)

## Topics

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

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