--- title: Is there a link between the menstrual cycle and suicidal behaviour? description: Yes. Studies with better research methods show that non-fatal suicidal behaviour is more common during the parts of the menstrual cycle when estrogen is lowes url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/suicidal-behaviour-and-the-menstrual-cycle-2006/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is there a link between the menstrual cycle and suicidal behaviour? Survey study, 2006 # Is there a link between the menstrual cycle and suicidal behaviour? Yes. Studies with better research methods show that non-fatal suicidal behaviour is more common during the parts of the menstrual cycle when estrogen is lowest. This pattern is especially strong in women with PMS. Strong study design Participants studied across 44 research studies examining menstrual cycle and suicidal behaviour ## What they did The researchers searched major research databases and reviewed 44 studies that examined links between the menstrual cycle and suicide, attempted suicide, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. ## What they found 13 studies looked at completed suicide, 23 looked at suicide attempts, 3 focused on suicide attempts in women with PMS, 3 looked at suicidal thoughts, and 2 examined self-harm. Studies with better methods showed that non-fatal suicidal behaviour was more common during the late luteal phase (after ovulation, before bleeding) and the follicular phase (during and after menstrual bleeding), when estrogen levels are lowest. This pattern was especially clear in women with PMS. ## What it means for you There appears to be a real link between low estrogen phases of the menstrual cycle and non-fatal suicidal behaviour, particularly in women with PMS. One possible way this works is through how estrogen affects the brain's serotonin system. The studies reviewed used different methods and had different quality. 44 Total studies reviewed 13 Studies on completed suicide 23 Studies on suicide attempts ## About the study Original title Suicidal behaviour and the menstrual cycle Authors Saunders KE, Hawton K Journal Psychological medicine Year 2006 Study design Survey study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s0033291706007392](https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291706007392) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/) 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 Interview study, 2025 How common is suicidal thinking in women with PMDD? Cohort study, 2022 Can hormonal contraceptives or antidepressants reduce suicide risk in premenstrual disorders? Cohort study, 2021 Do women with premenstrual disorders have a higher risk of injury? Systematic review, 2021 Are women with PMS or PMDD more likely to think about or attempt suicide? Systematic review, 2021 Does PMDD increase the risk of suicidality? Survey study, 2026 Are PMS and PMDD linked to suicidal thoughts and violence toward family? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗