Cohort study, 2018
Does suicide risk change across the menstrual cycle?
Suicide risk may increase at certain cycle points, especially in women with PMDD. However, no studies have actually tracked suicidal thoughts or attempts throughout the cycle to confirm this.
What they did
Review of research on menstrual cycle and suicide risk. The authors examined possible mechanisms using the RDoC framework to identify how hormones might affect brain systems linked to suicide.
What they found
The menstrual cycle affects most brain and behavioral systems linked to suicide risk, particularly in hormone-sensitive women with PMDD or premenstrual worsening of psychiatric disorders. Despite this, no published studies have examined suicidal thoughts, plans, or behavior across the menstrual cycle.
What it means for you
This is an important gap in research. While theory suggests the cycle could affect suicide risk, we lack direct evidence. We need studies that follow women throughout their cycles to understand whether suicide risk actually increases at certain times.
About the study
- Original title
- Suicide Risk and the Menstrual Cycle: a Review of Candidate RDoC Mechanisms
- Authors
- Owens SA, Eisenlohr-Moul T
- Journal
- Current psychiatry reports
- Year
- 2018
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None - review article
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0962-3
Topics
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