---
title: Are women with PMDD more likely to have suicidal thoughts or attempts?
description: Yes. People with PMDD show clearly higher rates of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts than would be expected, though no study yet has tested treatments
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-risk-factors-and-treatments-for-suicidality-in-people-living-with-2026/
---

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- Are women with PMDD more likely to have suicidal thoughts or attempts?

Systematic review, 2026

# Are women with PMDD more likely to have suicidal thoughts or attempts?

Yes. People with PMDD show clearly higher rates of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts than would be expected, though no study yet has tested treatments to reduce this risk.

 Moderate study design

People with PMDD, studied across 18 separate research papers, roughly 2,600,000 people in total.

## What they did

Researchers searched three research databases for studies published from 2013 onwards about PMDD and suicidality. They found 18 studies, covering a combined total of roughly 2,600,000 people, and summarised the results in writing rather than combining them into one single statistic.

## What they found

Rates varied widely between studies: 'suicidality' affected 16%-30.47% of people studied; suicidal ideation (thoughts) 26%-86%; suicide planning 11.5%-41.5%; and suicide attempts 7.1%-60.7%. Risk was linked to having other mental health conditions, high impulsivity, aggression, hopelessness, and certain hormonal factors. No study tested a treatment specifically aimed at reducing suicidality in PMDD.

## What it means for you

PMDD is linked to a real and sometimes high risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour, so this deserves to be taken seriously. Studies varied a lot in how they defined and measured things, and a quality-check tool flagged concerns in 70% of them, so exact numbers should be read with caution. No research yet exists on how to treat this risk.

18

Studies reviewed

26%-86%

Suicidal ideation range

7.1%-60.7%

Suicide attempts range

## About the study

Original title Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Treatments for Suicidality in People Living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): A Systematic Review Authors Zhitnik E, Britt T, Bertone-Johnson E et al. Journal Administration and policy in mental health Year 2026 Study design Systematic review What was tested None tested here; this paper reviews existing studies rather than testing a new treatment. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s10488-026-01504-y](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-026-01504-y)

## Topics

[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)

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## Related studies

Cohort study, 2022

How common are suicidal thoughts and self-harm in people with PMDD?

Survey study, 2021

Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder linked to suicide risk in women with mood disorders?

Survey study, 2012

What psychiatric conditions are linked to PMDD in Korean women?

Cohort study, 2002

How common is PMDD and does it stick around?

Survey study, 2020

How common are suicidal thoughts and self-harm in people with PMDD?

Case report, 2017

Can a combined oral contraceptive pill help PMDD in women who also have depression or anxiety?

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