Case-control study, 1995
How often do women experience suicidal thoughts during the premenstrual period?
About 10% of women reported suicidal ideas or death wishes during the premenstrual period, especially those with other PMS symptoms like depression and irritability, though we cannot prove PMS causes these thoughts.
What they did
Survey of 296 women from urban, rural, industrial, and college populations about whether they experienced suicidal thoughts or death wishes during the premenstrual period and which PMS symptoms they had.
What they found
30 out of 296 women (10%) reported suicidal ideas or death wishes during the premenstrual period. These were more common among college students and industrial working women and less common among housewives. Women with suicidal ideas reported significantly more PMS symptoms (depression, irritability, mood swings, loss of control, and water retention) than women without suicidal ideas.
What it means for you
About 1 in 10 women may experience suicidal thoughts before their period, especially if they have other PMS symptoms. The study shows these occur together but does not prove PMS causes them. The sample included different populations which strengthens the findings.
296
women surveyed in total
30 (10%)
with premenstrual suicidal thoughts
Students/workers
groups with higher rates of suicidal ideas
About the study
- Original title
- Suicidal ideas during premenstrual phase
- Authors
- Chaturvedi SK, Chandra PS, Gururaj G et al.
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 296
- What was tested
- None (observational survey)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(95)00017-h
Topics
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