Cohort study, 2023
Does the menstrual cycle affect how often women have suicidal thoughts?
Yes. Women with recent suicidal thoughts reported significantly more severe ideation during the perimenstrual phase (around their period) compared to other cycle phases. The cycle explained 25% of the change in suicidal thoughts.
What they did
38 women aged 18+ with recent suicidal ideation and regular menstrual cycles rated their suicidal thoughts and related symptoms (depression, anxiety, anger, guilt) every day for about 40 days. Researchers tracked their menstrual cycle phase. Women using hormonal birth control, pregnant, with irregular cycles, serious illness, or BMI below 18 or above 29.9 were excluded.
What they found
Most symptoms, including suicidal ideation, were significantly worse during the perimenstrual phase than other cycle phases. Anger and irritability were higher in the midluteal phase than the midfollicular phase. The menstrual cycle phase accounted for 25% of the variation in suicidal ideation.
What it means for you
Women with suicidal thoughts may be at highest risk around their period. Doctors should check menstrual cycle phase when assessing suicide risk. The study is limited by small sample size and only included women with recent suicidal thoughts.
38
women studied
~40 days
average daily tracking period
25%
cycle variance in suicidal ideation
About the study
- Original title
- Cyclical exacerbation of suicidal ideation in female outpatients: Prospective evidence from daily ratings in a transdiagnostic sample
- Authors
- Owens SA, Schmalenberger KM, Bowers S et al.
- Journal
- Journal of psychopathology and clinical science
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None (observational study)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1037/abn0000838
Topics
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