---
title: Is suicide risk higher at certain times in the menstrual cycle?
description: Suicide attempts were more likely during menstruation. Women whose attempts occurred when estrogen and progesterone were lowest reported greater severity of s
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/suicide-attempts-among-women-during-low-estradiol-low-progesterone-states-2010/
---

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- Is suicide risk higher at certain times in the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2010

# Is suicide risk higher at certain times in the menstrual cycle?

Suicide attempts were more likely during menstruation. Women whose attempts occurred when estrogen and progesterone were lowest reported greater severity of suicide intent.

 Early or limited evidence

431 women within 24 hours of suicide attempt; 281 were fertile women

## What they did

Assessed 431 women within 24 hours of a suicide attempt and measured their hormone levels and the severity of their suicidal intent. Among the 281 women who were still fertile, they compared the timing of suicide attempts across menstrual phases.

## What they found

Among fertile women, 26% of suicide attempts occurred during menstruation compared to 15% expected by chance. Women whose attempts occurred during low estradiol and low progesterone states (menstrual phase, amenorrhea, or menopause) reported greater severity of suicide intent compared to women whose attempts occurred during other phases.

## What it means for you

Low hormone levels during menstruation may be associated with increased suicide risk and more serious attempts. This is important but has a major limitation: women were assessed after the attempt, not before, so we cannot prove that hormones caused the attempts. The study only included women who had attempted suicide, so findings may not apply beyond this group.

431

women assessed

281

fertile women

26%

of attempts during menstruation (vs 15% expected)

## About the study

Original title Suicide attempts among women during low estradiol/low progesterone states Authors Baca-Garcia E, Diaz-Sastre C, Ceverino A et al. Journal Journal of psychiatric research Year 2010 Study design Survey study Participants 431 What was tested Assessment of hormones and suicide intent timing relative to menstrual cycle phase Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.08.004](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.08.004)

## Topics

[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)

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