The Possible Factors Affecting Suicide Attempts in the Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

This study investigated whether there is a relationship between the menstrual cycle & suicide attempts, & determined the factors affecting suicide attempts in different phases of the menstrual cycle. The study sample included 52 women admitted to an emergency room because of a suicide attempt. The incidence of suicide attempts in menstrual follicular phase was significantly higher than in other phases. There was substantial difficulty in understanding this difference. Hormone levels of patients who attempted suicide were not different from those of healthy control subjects. (27 refs.)