--- title: Do women attempt suicide more often at certain times in their menstrual cycle? description: Yes. Suicide attempts were most common in the first week of the menstrual cycle (when the period starts), with 36% of attempts happening then. The fourth week url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-and-profiles-of-suicidal-behaviour-1998/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women attempt suicide more often at certain times in their menstrual cycle? Study, 1998 # Do women attempt suicide more often at certain times in their menstrual cycle? Yes. Suicide attempts were most common in the first week of the menstrual cycle (when the period starts), with 36% of attempts happening then. The fourth week (premenstrual) had 29%. Other weeks had lower rates (19% in week 2, 16% in week 3). Early or limited evidence 113 Spanish women who attempted suicide, had regular cycles, not using oral contraceptives ## What they did Researchers looked at 113 Spanish women who attempted suicide and went to an emergency service. They included only women who had regular periods, weren't on birth control, and agreed to talk to a psychiatrist. The researchers asked these women when their last period was. ## What they found Of the women studied, 36% of suicide attempts happened in the first week, 29% in the fourth (premenstrual) week, 19% in the second week, and 16% in the third week. Women who attempted suicide in the third week were more likely to have severe past psychiatric problems and a lower level of education. ## What it means for you Suicide attempts may cluster around the period and the week before. Women with psychiatric problems and less education may be at higher risk during the middle of the cycle. The study only included hospitalized cases and relied on women's recall of their period dates, which limits the findings. 113 women 36% attempts in first week 29% attempts in fourth week ## About the study Original title Menstrual cycle and profiles of suicidal behaviour Authors Baca-García E, Sánchez-González A, González Diaz-Corralero P et al. Journal Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Year 1998 Study design Study Participants 113 What was tested None - retrospective observation of attempt timing Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1998.tb09959.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1998.tb09959.x) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/) 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 Cohort study, 2022 Can hormonal contraceptives or antidepressants reduce suicide risk in premenstrual disorders? Case report, 2017 Can a combined oral contraceptive pill help PMDD in women who also have depression or anxiety? Survey study, 2005 Are suicidal attempts more likely during certain phases of the menstrual cycle? Interview study, 2025 How common is suicidal thinking in women with PMDD? Randomised trial, 2024 Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2024 What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗