---
title: Is PMDD linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts?
description: Yes. In this large US survey, women with PMDD were more than twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts than women with no premenstrual
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-as-a-correlate-of-suicidal-ideation-plans-and-2013/
---

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- Is PMDD linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts?

Survey study, 2013

# Is PMDD linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts?

Yes. In this large US survey, women with PMDD were more than twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts than women with no premenstrual symptoms, even after accounting for other factors.

 Early or limited evidence

3,965 American women aged 18-40 from a national psychiatric survey

## What they did

Researchers looked at data from 3,965 American women aged 18-40 who took part in a national psychiatric health survey. They compared rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts across women with no premenstrual symptoms, moderate/severe PMS, and PMDD, using statistical models that adjusted for background factors and other mental health conditions.

## What they found

Suicidal behavior rose step by step with PMDD status. After adjusting for demographics and other psychiatric conditions, women with PMDD were still more likely than women with no premenstrual symptoms to report suicidal ideation (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.40-3.53), plans (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.20-4.28), and attempts (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.08-4.08). Women with moderate/severe PMS only had a higher risk of suicidal ideation (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.88), not plans or attempts.

## What it means for you

PMDD appears to carry a real, independent risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior, so the paper suggests clinicians treating PMDD should watch for this and treat premenstrual symptoms in anyone showing suicidal signs. The main limit is that this is a cross-sectional study, so it shows a link, not proof that PMDD causes suicidal behavior.

OR 2.22

Odds of suicidal ideation with PMDD vs none

OR 2.27

Odds of suicide plans with PMDD vs none

OR 2.10

Odds of suicide attempts with PMDD vs none

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual dysphoric disorder as a correlate of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among a nationally representative sample Authors Pilver CE, Libby DJ, Hoff RA Journal Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology Year 2013 Study design Survey study Participants 3,965 What was tested None (observational study, no treatment tested) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00127-012-0548-z](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-012-0548-z)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)

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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?

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?

Cohort study, 2023

Does the menstrual cycle affect how often women have suicidal thoughts?

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