MENSTRUAL-CYCLE AND PROFILES OF SUICIDAL-BEHAVIOR

The first (or menstrual) and fourth (or premenstrual) week of the mens trual cycle may be associated with many suicide attempts in women. The study sample included 113 Spanish women Luke attempted suicide and co ntacted an emergency service. Inclusion criteria were as follows: fert ility; regular menstrual cycles: lack of oral contraceptives: and will ingness to see a psychiatrist. The incidence of suicide attempts in th e first week 136%) was significantly higher than that in the remaining weeks (second week, 19%; third week 16%: fourth week. 29%), A corresp ondence analysis suggested that suicide attempts were associated with differences in demographics and clinical profiles. In particular, suic ide attempts in the third week were correlated with a severe history o f psychiatric problems and a lower level of education. The limitations of this study are its exclusiveness to hospitalized cases and its use of patient reports to date menstruation.