--- title: Do women with PMS have increased risk of suicidal thoughts? | Niyora description: Yes. Nearly one-third of women with PMS symptoms reported new or worsening suicidal thoughts in the week before their period. Women with depression history, c url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/clinical-correlates-of-women-endorsing-premenstrual-suicidal-ideation-a-cross-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with PMS have increased risk of suicidal thoughts? Survey study, 2022 # Do women with PMS have increased risk of suicidal thoughts? Yes. Nearly one-third of women with PMS symptoms reported new or worsening suicidal thoughts in the week before their period. Women with depression history, current depression, and childhood trauma were at highest risk. Early or limited evidence 153 women with premenstrual symptoms at a major medical center ## What they did Researchers assessed 302 women at a major hospital over 11 months. They asked about PMS symptoms, mood, depression, anxiety, psychiatric history, and past trauma. They identified which women had suicidal thoughts that worsened before their period. ## What they found Of 153 women with PMS symptoms, 41 (27%) reported new or worsening suicidal thoughts before their period. These women were more likely to be single, unemployed, and childless. They also reported more interference from PMS, past psychiatric hospitalization, childhood trauma, past suicide attempts, and current depression and anxiety. The strongest predictors of premenstrual suicidal thoughts were a depression diagnosis history, severe current depression, and experiencing 3 or more difficult childhood events. ## What it means for you A significant share of women with PMS symptoms have suicidal thoughts that worsen before their period. This is a serious risk that needs screening and treatment. Depression and trauma are strong risk factors. However, this was a one-time survey at one hospital, so results may not apply broadly. 27% had new or worsening suicidal thoughts before period 41 women with premenstrual suicidal ideation 153 women with premenstrual symptoms ## About the study Original title Clinical correlates of women endorsing premenstrual suicidal ideation: a cross-sectional study Authors Carlini SV, Weiss SJ, Mordukhaev L et al. Journal BioPsychoSocial medicine Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 153 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/s13030-022-00252-3](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-022-00252-3) Original abstract Background: Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be as high as 13-18%, but it remains under-recognized and is associated with increased suicidal ideation (SI), plans, and attempts in epidemiological studies. The present study reports on women endorsing premenstrual SI (PMSI) and characterizes this at-risk group and its clinical correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed demographics, anxiety and depression severity, psychiatric diagnoses, menstrual symptoms, SI, and trauma in adult women at a major medical center over 11 months. Results: Three hundred two women were assessed. Of 153 participants endorsing premenstrual symptoms, 41 (27%) reported new or worsening concurrent premenstrual passive or active SI. Women who reported PMSI were significantly more likely to be single, unemployed, and childless as well as significantly more likely to report interference from premenstrual symptoms, histories of psychiatric hospitalization, adverse childhood events, suicide attempts, and current and past depression and anxiety compared to women without PMSI. The final regression model indicated the most significant predictors of PMSI were history of a depression diagnosis, severity of current depressive symptoms, and having experienced 3 or more childhood adverse events. Conclusion: Nearly one-third of women reporting premenstrual symptoms endorsed concurrent SI, a clinically valuable demonstration of the importance of this predictable cyclic risk factor. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)[PTSD and trauma](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ptsd-trauma/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2026 Do girls who experienced childhood abuse or neglect have higher PMDD symptoms? Survey study, 2024 Is suicidal thinking more common in women with premenstrual disorders? Survey study, 2023 Does childhood trauma increase the risk of PMDD? Case report, 2018 Can severe head injury lead to PMDD? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Cohort study, 2022 Do adverse childhood experiences increase risk of PMS and PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗