Survey study, 2005
Are suicidal attempts more likely during certain phases of the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Suicidal attempts were most frequent during the menstrual phase. However, this study only looked at women already hospitalized for attempts, so it cannot tell us the true risk in the general population.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 151 women admitted to a hospital in Poland (2002-2003) after suicidal attempts. Researchers grouped women by menstrual cycle phase based on patient history and by psychiatric diagnosis (situational reaction, depression, schizophrenia, alcohol addiction, sociopathy). Severity of poisoning was compared using Poisoning Severity Score.
What they found
Suicidal attempts were most frequent during the menstrual phase. The most common psychiatric diagnosis in women who attempted suicide was situational reaction, which dominated in women aged 14-21. Among women with diagnoses of depression, schizophrenia, or alcohol addiction, the severity of poisoning was significantly more severe than in those with situational reaction.
What it means for you
This study found more suicidal attempts during the menstrual phase in one Polish hospital, but only included women with regular cycles willing to follow up with psychiatry. Cycle phase was based on women's memory rather than medical records, which may be inaccurate. We cannot know if this applies broadly or if the menstrual cycle causes these attempts.
151
women studied
14-21
age range with highest situational reaction diagnosis
Most frequent
in menstrual phase
About the study
- Original title
- The relationship between suicidal attempts and menstrual cycle in women
- Authors
- Sein Anand J, Chodorowski Z, Ciechanowicz R et al.
- Journal
- Przeglad lekarski
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 151
- What was tested
- None (observational historical study)
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16225087/
Topics
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