Citation

Jang D, Elfenbein HA. Arch. Suicide Res. 2019; 23(2): 312-332.

Affiliation

Washington University , Saint Louis.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2018.1430638

PMID

29461935

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The premenstrual phase of cycle has long been associated with a constellation of health symptoms for women. However, there has been no recent quantitative review of severe mental health outcomes as a function of the menstrual cycle. We examine cycle influences on completed suicides, suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, and psychiatric admissions, and contrast these with non-suicide deaths.

METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 32 papers, with an N of 3,791.

RESULTS: We find 26% greater risk of suicide deaths, 17% greater risk of suicide attempts, and 20% greater risk of psychiatric admissions at menstruation. We also observe 13% greater risk of psychiatric admissions during the premenstrual phase. Suicidal ideation was unrelated to the stage of menstrual cycle.

CONCLUSION: Available evidence finds serious and consequential mental health outcomes in the menstrual and premenstrual phases.

Language: en

Keywords

menstrual cycle; mental health; meta-analysis; suicide