--- title: Do suicidal thoughts change across the menstrual cycle? | Niyora description: The study found no clear pattern of suicidal thoughts changing with cycle phases. However, feelings like depression, anger, and irritability (which do vary ac url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/examining-suicidal-ideation-and-capability-across-the-menstrual-cycle-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do suicidal thoughts change across the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2026 # Do suicidal thoughts change across the menstrual cycle? The study found no clear pattern of suicidal thoughts changing with cycle phases. However, feelings like depression, anger, and irritability (which do vary across the cycle) were linked to suicidal thoughts. Early or limited evidence 46 women with recent suicidal ideation and ongoing mental health care, natural menstrual cycles ## What they did Study of 46 women with recent suicidal thoughts and ongoing mental health care. They tracked their menstrual cycle phases and reported daily for 2 months on suicidal thoughts, fearlessness about death, depression, anger, and irritability. ## What they found Fearlessness about death was stable across the menstrual cycle and did not change by cycle day or phase. However, it was significantly linked to daily depression, anger, irritability, and passive suicidal thoughts. The findings suggest that mood changes, not menstrual cycle hormones directly, drive suicidal thoughts. ## What it means for you Suicidal thoughts may not directly follow menstrual cycle patterns, but mood changes during the cycle are still connected to suicidal feelings. The study is very small (only 46 women) and included only those with active suicidal thoughts and mental health care. It excluded women with PMDD. Results may not apply to other groups. 46 Sample size 2 Study duration in months ## About the study Original title Examining Suicidal Ideation and Capability Across the Menstrual Cycle Authors Law KC, O'Connell KL, Barone JC et al. Journal Suicide & life-threatening behavior Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 46 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/sltb.70084](https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.70084) ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Guideline, 2014 What antidepressant should doctors use to treat depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2021 Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder linked to suicide risk in women with mood disorders? Survey study, 2026 Do teen girls with ADHD have more suicidal thoughts when angry before their period? Study, 2026 Could early stress or past trauma make PMDD symptoms worse later in the cycle? Case report, 2013 Can severe mood changes around a period be an early sign of bipolar disorder? Review, 1993 What mood disorders affect women and how should they be treated? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗