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).
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
Topics
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