Cohort study, 2004
Are suicide attempts more common during the luteal phase in women with PMDD?
No. Suicide attempts during the luteal phase occurred equally often in women with PMDD (34%) and without PMDD (35%). However, PMDD was more common in women who attempted suicide than in the general population.
What they did
Prospective study in a general hospital. 125 women who had attempted suicide and 83 blood donors with regular menstrual cycles were assessed. PMDD diagnosis was made retrospectively using DSM-IV criteria.
What they found
Attempts during the luteal phase were not more frequent in women with PMDD (34%) than without PMDD (35%). PMDD was present in 54% of suicide attempters compared to 6% of controls, a highly significant difference.
What it means for you
Despite PMDD being more common in people who attempt suicide, the timing of attempts does not cluster in the luteal phase when PMS symptoms are worst. This suggests PMDD may increase suicide risk overall but not through monthly symptom cycles. The study was limited by using retrospective diagnosis of PMDD.
34%
Luteal phase attempts in PMDD group
35%
Luteal phase attempts in non-PMDD group
54%
PMDD in suicide attempters versus 6% in controls
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual symptoms and luteal suicide attempts
- Authors
- Baca-Garcia E, Diaz-Sastre C, Ceverino A et al.
- Journal
- European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00406-004-0506-1
Topics
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