Survey study, 2004
Is suicide risk linked to the menstrual cycle?
Women were more likely to attempt suicide during the follicular phase (early cycle). The reason is unclear, though low estrogen and progesterone in this phase may play a role, but hormones alone do not explain it.
What they did
Researchers studied 52 women admitted to the emergency room after attempting suicide. They looked at which phase of the menstrual cycle each woman was in, her background, and her hormone levels. They compared hormone levels to a healthy control group.
What they found
Suicide attempts happened more often in the menstrual follicular phase than in other phases. However, there was no clear difference in background or hormone levels between women who attempted suicide in the follicular phase versus other phases. Hormone levels were the same as in healthy women.
What it means for you
The study found a pattern linking menstrual cycle phase to suicide attempts, but could not explain why. Low hormone levels may be involved, but are not the only factor. The findings are limited because the study was small and only included women who came to hospital after an attempt.
52
women studied
About the study
- Original title
- The possible factors affecting suicide attempts in the different phases of the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Cayköylü A, Capoglu I, Oztürk I
- Journal
- Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 52
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1819.2004.01286.x
Topics
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