---
title: Do women who attempt suicide experience more menstruation-related problems?
description: More than half of women who attempted suicide reported premenstrual distress symptoms for two menstrual cycles. The study cannot prove menstrual problems caus
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/identify-menstruation-related-problems-and-suicide-2018/
---

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- Do women who attempt suicide experience more menstruation-related problems?

Survey study, 2018

# Do women who attempt suicide experience more menstruation-related problems?

More than half of women who attempted suicide reported premenstrual distress symptoms for two menstrual cycles. The study cannot prove menstrual problems caused suicide attempts, but suggests a possible connection.

 Early or limited evidence

70 women aged 15-49 who attempted suicide and presented to an emergency hospital.

## What they did

A cross-sectional study of 70 women aged 15-49 who attempted suicide and came to an emergency department. Researchers collected data using a questionnaire and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire.

## What they found

65.7% of participants were aged 15-25. More than half reported premenstrual distress complaints for two cycles. The last menstrual period had the highest average score on the distress questionnaire (33.57±32.95). Pain was the highest-scoring sub-dimension while autonomic reaction was the lowest.

## What it means for you

Many young women who attempt suicide experience significant menstrual distress. Health professionals should assess young women for menstrual changes and teach coping strategies. The main limits are small sample size, no comparison group, and only included one hospital.

70

Number of women who attempted suicide

65.7%

Percentage aged 15-25

33.57±32.95

Average Menstrual Distress Questionnaire score for last menstrual period

## About the study

Original title IDENTIFY MENSTRUATION RELATED PROBLEMS AND SUICIDE Authors Sultan Alan, Emine Bakır, Iskenderun Ozel Gelisim Hastanesi et al. Journal LIFE International Journal of Health and Life-Sciences Year 2018 Study design Survey study Participants 70 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.20319/lijhls.2018.33.168178](https://doi.org/10.20319/lijhls.2018.33.168178)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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