Cross-Sectional Study on the Correlation Between Menstrual Cycle Phases and Suicidal Behavior: A Histological
Anamika Nath1, Priyanka Jain2, Prabir Hazarika2
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital, Tezpur, IND.
Cureus
|April 29, 2025
Summary
Suicide cases were not randomly distributed across the menstrual cycle, showing a significant overrepresentation during proliferative phases. The menstrual cycle phase did not significantly influence the method of suicide used.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Psychiatry
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Suicide is a major global health concern.
- Potential links between hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and suicidal tendencies, particularly in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), warrant investigation.
- Previous research on menstrual phases and suicide has yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between menstrual cycle phases and suicide through histopathological examination.
- To determine if suicide distribution across menstrual phases is random.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional comparative study of 50 women (aged 12-50) who died by suicide in Northeastern India.
- Histopathological examination of uterine tissue to ascertain the menstrual cycle phase.
- Statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics.
Main Results:
- The early proliferative phase had the highest number of suicide cases (36%), followed by the late proliferative phase (28%).
- Suicide distribution across menstrual phases was statistically significant (p<0.001), with overrepresentation in proliferative phases.
- No significant association was found between menstrual phase and suicide method (p=0.460) or age group and menstrual phase (p=0.243).
Conclusions:
- The distribution of suicide cases is not random across the menstrual cycle, with a notable overrepresentation during proliferative phases.
- Suicide method selection appears independent of the menstrual phase, suggesting other influencing factors.
- The study's small sample size may limit the detection of smaller, clinically relevant associations.
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