Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Suicide Risk and the Menstrual Cycle: a Review of Candidate RDoC Mechanisms

  • Reproductive Psychiatry and Women's Health (CN Epperson and L Hantsoo, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Psychiatry Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Risk for suicidal behavior may fluctuate across the menstrual cycle. Here, we use the RDoC framework to review potential mechanisms by which the cycle may increase acute suicide risk.

Recent Findings

The menstrual cycle impacts the majority of RDoC constructs linked to suicide risk, particularly among hormone-sensitive women, such as those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder or premenstrual exacerbation of a psychiatric disorder. Despite this, there are no published studies examining suicidal ideation, planning, or behavior longitudinally across the cycle.

Summary

More work is needed to understand how hormone sensitivity may relate to both trait and state suicide risk. Intensive multilevel investigations of cyclical hormone effects on suicide risk through specific RDoC mechanisms are suggested. This is a fertile research area and may provide key insights regarding the mechanisms of acute suicide risk.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Although we use the term “women” throughout for readability, we wish to clarify that we use this word to indicate those assigned female at birth who are currently experiencing natural menstrual cycles. This may include transgender men and nonbinary-identified individuals.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Heron M. Deaths: Leading Causes for 2013. Hyattsville: National Center for Health Statistics; 2016. Report No.: 2

    Google Scholar 

  2. Shepard DS, Gurewich D, Lwin AK, Reed GA, Silverman MM. Suicide and suicidal attempts in the United States: costs and policy implications. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2016;46(3):352–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Curtin SC, Warner M, Hedegaard H. Increase in Suicide in the United States, 1999–2014 [Internet]. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2016 Apr [cited 2018 May 9]. Report No.: 241. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db241.htm

  4. • Franklin JC, Ribeiro JD, Fox KR, Bentley KH, Kleiman EM, Huang X, et al. Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: a meta-analysis of 50 years of research. Psychol Bull. 2017;143(2):187–232. A meta-analytic review of risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. •• Glenn CR, Cha CB, Kleiman EM, Nock MK. Understanding suicide risk within the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework: insights, challenges, and future cesearch Considerations. Clin Psychol Sci J Assoc Psychol Sci. 2017;5(3):568–92. A review of established suicide risk factors using the RDoC framework.

    Google Scholar 

  6. • Miller AB, Eisenlohr-Moul T, Giletta M, Hastings PD, Rudolph KD, Nock MK, et al. A within-person approach to risk for suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior: examining the roles of depression, stress, and abuse exposure. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2017;85(7):712–22. A discussion and demonstration of integrating between- and within-person factors in the prediction of acute suicidal behavior.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. •• Schiller CE, Johnson SL, Abate AC, Schmidt PJ, Rubinow DR. Reproductive steroid regulation of mood and behavior. Compr Physiol. 2016;6(3):1135–60. A comprehensive review of ovarian steroid effects on mood, cognition, and behavior emphasizing neurobiology and unique effects in reproductive mood disorders.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Nock MK, Borges G, Bromet EJ, Cha CB, Kessler RC, Lee S. Suicide and suicidal behavior. Epidemiol Rev. 2008;30:133–54.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Schmidt PJ, Nieman LK, Danaceau MA, Adams LF, Rubinow DR. Differential behavioral effects of gonadal steroids in women with and in those without premenstrual syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1998 Jan 22;338(4):209–16.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Eisenlohr-Moul TA, Girdler SS, Schmalenberger KM, Dawson DN, Surana P, Johnson JL, et al. Toward the reliable diagnosis of DSM-5 premenstrual dysphoric disorder: the Carolina Premenstrual Assessment Scoring System (C-PASS). Am J Psychiatry. 2017 Jan 1;174(1):51–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. • Hantsoo L, Epperson CN. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: epidemiology and treatment. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2015;17(11):87. Up-to-date overview of the etiology and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Halbreich U, Borenstein J, Pearlstein T, Kahn LS. The prevalence, impairment, impact, and burden of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS/PMDD). Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2003;28(Suppl 3):1–23.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hartlage SA, Brandenburg DL, Kravitz HM. Premenstrual exacerbation of depressive disorders in a community-based sample in the United States. Psychosom Med. 2004 Oct;66(5):698–706.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Eisenlohr-Moul TA, Rubinow DR, Schiller CE, Johnson JL, Leserman J, Girdler SS. Histories of abuse predict stronger within-person covariation of ovarian steroids and mood symptoms in women with menstrually related mood disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016 May;67:142–52.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Gollenberg AL, Hediger ML, Mumford SL, Whitcomb BW, Hovey KM, Wactawski-Wende J, et al. Perceived stress and severity of perimenstrual symptoms: the BioCycle study. J Womens Health. 2010 May;19(5):959–67.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Namavar Jahromi B, Pakmehr S, Hagh-Shenas H. Work stress, premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder: are there any associations? Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2011 Mar;13(3):199–202.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. •• Eisenlohr-Moul TA, DeWall CN, Girdler SS, Segerstrom SC. Ovarian hormones and borderline personality disorder features: Preliminary evidence for interactive effects of estradiol and progesterone. Biol Psychol. 2015;109:37–52. Presentation of a standardized scoring method for diagnosing degree of menstrual cyclicity in research and clinical settings.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Roberts B, Eisenlohr-Moul T, Martel MM. Reproductive steroids and ADHD symptoms across the menstrual cycle. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2018 Feb 1;88:105–14.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Edler C, Lipson SF, Keel PK. Ovarian hormones and binge eating in bulimia nervosa. Psychol Med. 2007 Jan;37(1):131–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. •• Eisenlohr-Moul TA, Schmalenberger KM, Owens SA, Peters JR, Dawson DN, Girdler SS. Perimenstrual exacerbation of symptoms in borderline personality disorder: evidence from multilevel models and the Carolina Premenstrual Assessment Scoring System. Psychol Med. 2018;28:1–11. Prospective study demonstrating high risk of perimenstrual exacerbation in women with BPD, a clinical group at high risk of suicide.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Teatero ML, Mazmanian D, Sharma V. Effects of the menstrual cycle on bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord. 2014 Feb;16(1):22–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Martel MM, Eisenlohr-Moul T, Roberts B. Interactive effects of ovarian steroid hormones on alcohol use and binge drinking across the menstrual cycle. J Abnorm Psychol. 2017 Nov;126(8):1104–13.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. •• Nillni YI, Pineles SL, Patton SC, Rouse MH, Sawyer AT, Rasmusson AM. Menstrual cycle effects on psychological symptoms in women with PTSD. J Trauma Stress. 2015;28(1):1–7. Prospective study demonstrating risk of premenstrual exacerbation in women with PTSD, a clinical group at high risk of suicide.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Saunders KEA, Hawton K. Suicidal behaviour and the menstrual cycle. Psychol Med. 2006;36(7):901–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Afzali S, Taheri SK, Jamilian M, Eslambolchi P. The Relationship between Menstrual Cycle Phases and Suicide Attempts in Suicidal Women Admitted to the Poisoning Ward of Farshchian Hospital, Hamedan, Iran [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2018 Jul 20]. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/doaj/20082967/2012/00000005/00000015/art00001.

  26. Baca-Garcia E, Diaz-Sastre C, Ceverino A, Perez-Rodriguez MM, Navarro-Jimenez R, Lopez-Castroman J, et al. Suicide attempts among women during low estradiol/low progesterone states. J Psychiatr Res. 2010;44(4):209–14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Dogra TD, Leenaars AA, Raintji R, Lalwani S, Girdhar S, Wenckstern S, et al. Menstruation and suicide: an exploratory study. Psychol Rep. 2007;101(2):430–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Zengin Y, Calik M, Buyukcam F, Sen J, Akpinar S, Erdem AB, et al. The relationship between suicide attempts and menstrual cycles in the emergency department and the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of these patients [Internet]. Eur J Emerg Med. 2015 [cited 2018 Jul 20]. Available from: http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A468141901/AONE?sid=googlescholar.

  29. Eisenlohr-Moul T, Prinstein M, Rubinow D, Young S, Walsh E, Bowers S, et al. S104. Ovarian steroid withdrawal underlies perimenstrual worsening of suicidality: evidence from a crossover steroid stabilization trial. Biol Psychiatry. 2018;83(9, Supplement):S387.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Giletta M, Calhoun CD, Hastings PD, Rudolph KD, Nock MK, Prinstein MJ. Multi-level risk factors for suicidal ideation among at-risk adolescent females: the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to stress. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2015;43(5):807–20.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Dombrovski AY, Hallquist MN. The decision neuroscience perspective on suicidal behavior: evidence and hypotheses. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2017;30(1):7–14.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Ducasse D, Loas G, Dassa D, Gramaglia C, Zeppegno P, Guillaume S, et al. Anhedonia is associated with suicidal ideation independently of depression: a meta-analysis. Depress Anxiety. 2018;35(5):382–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kessler RC, Borges G, Walters EE. Prevalence of and risk factors for lifetime suicide attempts in the National Comorbidity Survey. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56(7):617–26.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Franklin JC, Hessel ET, Prinstein MJ. Clarifying the role of pain tolerance in suicidal capability. Psychiatry Res. 2011;189(3):362–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Van Orden KA, Witte TK, Cukrowicz KC, Braithwaite S, Selby EA, Joiner TE. The interpersonal theory of suicide. Psychol Rev. 2010;117(2):575–600.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Mościcki EK. Epidemiology of completed and attempted suicide: toward a framework for prevention. Clin Neurosci Res. 2001;1(5):310–23.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Bolton JM, Pagura J, Enns MW, Grant B, Sareen J. A population-based longitudinal study of risk factors for suicide attempts in major depressive disorder. J Psychiatr Res. 2010;44(13):817–26.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Wichstrøm L. Predictors of adolescent suicide attempts: a nationally representative longitudinal study of Norwegian adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000;39(5):603–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Jollant F, Lawrence NS, Giampietro V, Brammer MJ, Fullana MA, Drapier D, et al. Orbitofrontal cortex response to angry faces in men with histories of suicide attempts. Am J Psychiatry. 2008;165(6):740–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Pan LA, Hassel S, Segreti AM, Nau SA, Brent DA, Phillips ML. Differential patterns of activity and functional connectivity in emotion processing neural circuitry to angry and happy faces in adolescents with and without suicide attempt. Psychol Med. 2013;43(10):2129–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Maniglio R, Gusciglio F, Lofrese V, Belvederi Murri M, Tamburello A, Innamorati M. Biased processing of neutral facial expressions is associated with depressive symptoms and suicide ideation in individuals at risk for major depression due to affective temperaments. Compr Psychiatry. 2014;55(3):518–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Bernert RA, Turvey CL, Conwell Y, Joiner TE. Association of poor subjective sleep quality with risk for death by suicide during a 10-year period: a longitudinal, population-based study of late life. JAMA Psychiatry. 2014;71(10):1129–37.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Pigeon WR, Pinquart M, Conner K. Meta-analysis of sleep disturbance and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. J Clin Psychiatry. 2012;73(9):e1160–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Chawla A, Swindle R, Long S, Kennedy S, Sternfeld B. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: is there an economic burden of illness? Med Care. 2002;40(11):1101–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Dean BB, Borenstein JE, Knight K, Yonkers K. Evaluating the criteria used for identification of PMS. J Womens Health. 2006;15(5):546–55.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Fontana AM, Badawy S. Perceptual and coping processes across the menstrual cycle: an investigation in a premenstrual syndrome clinic and a community sample. Behav Med. 1997;22(4):152–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Fontana AM, Palfai TG. Psychosocial factors in premenstrual dysphoria: stressors, appraisal, and coping processes. J Psychosom Res. 1994;38(6):557–67.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Gonda X, Telek T, Juhász G, Lazary J, Vargha A, Bagdy G. Patterns of mood changes throughout the reproductive cycle in healthy women without premenstrual dysphoric disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2008;32(8):1782–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Romans S, Clarkson R, Einstein G, Petrovic M, Stewart D. Mood and the menstrual cycle: a review of prospective data studies. Gend Med. 2012;9(5):361–84.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Schwartz DH, Romans SE, Meiyappan S, De Souza MJ, Einstein G. The role of ovarian steroid hormones in mood. Horm Behav. 2012;62(4):448–54.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Gingnell M, Morell A, Bannbers E, Wikström J, Sundström Poromaa I. Menstrual cycle effects on amygdala reactivity to emotional stimulation in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Horm Behav. 2012;62(4):400–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Goldstein JM, Jerram M, Poldrack R, Ahern T, Kennedy DN, Seidman LJ, et al. Hormonal cycle modulates arousal circuitry in women using functional magnetic resonance imaging. J Neurosci Off J Soc Neurosci. 2005;25(40):9309–16.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Ossewaarde L, Hermans EJ, van Wingen GA, Kooijman SC, Johansson I-M, Bäckström T, et al. Neural mechanisms underlying changes in stress-sensitivity across the menstrual cycle. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2010;35(1):47–55.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Dantzer R, O’Connor JC, Freund GG, Johnson RW, Kelley KW. From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the brain. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008;9(1):46–56.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  55. Brundin L, Bryleva EY, Thirtamara RK. Role of inflammation in suicide: from mechanisms to treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017;42(1):271–83.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Isung J, Aeinehband S, Mobarrez F, Nordström P, Runeson B, Åsberg M, et al. High interleukin-6 and impulsivity: determining the role of endophenotypes in attempted suicide. Transl Psychiatry. 2014;4(10):e470.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Puder JJ, Blum CA, Mueller B, Geyter CD, Dye L, Keller U. Menstrual cycle symptoms are associated with changes in low-grade inflammation. Eur J Clin Invest. 2006;36(1):58–64.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Bloch M, Schmidt PJ, Rubinow DR. Premenstrual syndrome: evidence for symptom stability across cycles. Am J Psychiatry. 1997;154(12):1741–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Epperson CN, Steiner M, Hartlage SA, Eriksson E, Schmidt PJ, Jones I, et al. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: evidence for a new category for DSM-5. Am J Psychiatry. 2012;169(5):465–75.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  60. Freeman EW, Halberstadt SM, Rickels K, Legler JM, Lin H, Sammel MD. Core symptoms that discriminate premenstrual syndrome. J Womens Health. 2010;20(1):29–35.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Hartlage SA, Arduino KE. Toward the content validity of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: do anger and irritability more than depressed mood represent treatment-seekers’ experiences? Psychol Rep. 2002;90(1):189–202.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Pearlstein T, Yonkers KA, Fayyad R, Gillespie JA. Pretreatment pattern of symptom expression in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. J Affect Disord. 2005;85(3):275–82.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Stein MB, Schmidt PJ, Rubinow DR, Uhde TW. Panic disorder and the menstrual cycle: panic disorder patients, healthy control subjects, and patients with premenstrual syndrome. Am J Psychiatry. 1989;146(10):1299–303.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Epperson CN, Pittman B, Czarkowski KA, Stiklus S, Krystal JH, Grillon C. Luteal-phase accentuation of acoustic startle response in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2007;32(10):2190–8.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  65. Welz A, Huffziger S, Reinhard I, Alpers GW, Ebner-Priemer U, Kuehner C. Anxiety and rumination moderate menstrual cycle effects on mood in daily life. Women Health. 2016;56(5):540–60.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Kaspi SP, Otto MW, Pollack MH, Eppinger S, Rosenbaum JF. Premenstrual exacerbation of symptoms in women with panic disorder. J Anxiety Disord. 1994;8(2):131–8.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Nillni YI, Rohan KJ, Zvolensky MJ. The role of menstrual cycle phase and anxiety sensitivity in catastrophic misinterpretation of physical symptoms during a CO(2) challenge. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2012;15(6):413–22.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  68. Law KC, Khazem LR, Anestis MD. The role of emotion dysregulation in suicide as considered through the ideation to action framework. Curr Opin Psychol. 2015;3:30–5.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Melhem NM, Keilp JG, Porta G, Oquendo MA, Burke A, Stanley B, et al. Blunted HPA Axis activity in suicide attempters compared to those at high risk for suicidal behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2016;41(6):1447–56.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Craner JR, Sigmon ST, Young MA. Self-focused attention and symptoms across menstrual cycle phases in women with and without premenstrual disorders. Cogn Ther Res. 2016;40(1):118–27.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Wu M, Zhou R, Huang Y. Effects of menstrual cycle and neuroticism on females’ emotion regulation. Int J Psychophysiol. 2014;94(3):351–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Manikandan S, Nillni YI, Zvolensky MJ, Rohan KJ, Carkeek KR, Leyro TM. The role of emotion regulation in the experience of menstrual symptoms and perceived control over anxiety-related events across the menstrual cycle. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2016;19(6):1109–17.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Girdler SS, Pedersen CA, Straneva PA, Leserman J, Stanwyck CL, Benjamin S, et al. Dysregulation of cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses to stress in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Psychiatry Res. 1998;81(2):163–78.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Girdler SS, Sherwood A, Hinderliter AL, Leserman J, Costello NL, Straneva PA, et al. Biological correlates of abuse in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and healthy controls. Psychosom Med. 2003;65(5):849–56.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Lee EE, Nieman LK, Martinez PE, Harsh VL, Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ. ACTH and cortisol response to Dex/CRH testing in women with and without premenstrual dysphoria during GnRH agonist-induced hypogonadism and ovarian steroid replacement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97(6):1887–96.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  76. Dreher J-C, Schmidt PJ, Kohn P, Furman D, Rubinow D, Berman KF. Menstrual cycle phase modulates reward-related neural function in women. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007;104(7):2465–70.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  77. Bayer J, Bandurski P, Sommer T. Differential modulation of activity related to the anticipation of monetary gains and losses across the menstrual cycle. Eur J Neurosci. 2013;38(10):3519–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Ossewaarde L, van Wingen GA, Kooijman SC, Bäckström T, Fernández G, Hermans EJ. Changes in functioning of mesolimbic incentive processing circuits during the premenstrual phase. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2011;6(5):612–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Jones BC, Hahn AC, Fisher CI, Wang H, Kandrik M, DeBruine LM. General sexual desire, but not desire for uncommitted sexual relationships, tracks changes in women’s hormonal status. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2018;88:153–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Roney JR, Simmons ZL. Hormonal predictors of sexual motivation in natural menstrual cycles. Horm Behav. 2013;63(4):636–45.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Roney JR, Simmons ZL. Within-cycle fluctuations in progesterone negatively predict changes in both in-pair and extra-pair desire among partnered women. Horm Behav. 2016;81:45–52.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Diekhof EK. Be quick about it. Endogenous estradiol level, menstrual cycle phase and trait impulsiveness predict impulsive choice in the context of reward acquisition. Horm Behav. 2015;74:186–93.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Smith CT, Sierra Y, Oppler SH, Boettiger CA. Ovarian cycle effects on immediate reward selection bias in humans: a role for estradiol. J Neurosci Off J Soc Neurosci. 2014;34(16):5468–76.

    Google Scholar 

  84. • Leeners B, Kruger THC, Geraedts K, Tronci E, Mancini T, Ille F, et al. Lack of associations between female hormone levels and visuospatial working memory, divided attention and cognitive bias across two consecutive menstrual cycles. Front Behav Neurosci. 2017 [cited 2018 Jun 9];11. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00120/full. Prospective study demonstrating no robust effects of the cycle on cognitive function in healthy women.

  85. Owens JF, Matthews KA, Everson SA. Cognitive function effects of suppressing ovarian hormones in young women. Menopause. 2002;9(4):227–35.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Schmidt PJ, Keenan PA, Schenkel LA, Berlin K, Gibson C, Rubinow DR. Cognitive performance in healthy women during induced hypogonadism and ovarian steroid addback. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2013;16(1):47–58.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Jacobs E, D’Esposito M. Estrogen shapes dopamine-dependent cognitive processes: implications for women’s health. J Neurosci Off J Soc Neurosci. 2011;31(14):5286–93.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Wishart HA, Roth RM, Saykin AJ, Rhodes CH, Tsongalis GJ, Pattin KA, et al. COMT Val158Met genotype and individual differences in executive function in healthy adults. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2011;17(1):174–80.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Amin Z, Epperson CN, Constable RT, Canli T. Effects of estrogen variation on neural correlates of emotional response inhibition. NeuroImage. 2006;32(1):457–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Colzato LS, Pratt J, Hommel B. Estrogen modulates inhibition of return in healthy human females. Neuropsychologia. 2012;50(1):98–103.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Protopopescu X, Pan H, Altemus M, Tuescher O, Polanecsky M, McEwen B, et al. Orbitofrontal cortex activity related to emotional processing changes across the menstrual cycle. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005;102(44):16060–5.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  92. Colzato LS, Hertsig G, van den Wildenberg WPM, Hommel B. Estrogen modulates inhibitory control in healthy human females: evidence from the stop-signal paradigm. Neuroscience. 2010;167(3):709–15.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Huo L, Straub RE, Roca C, Schmidt PJ, Shi K, Vakkalanka R, et al. Risk for premenstrual dysphoric disorder is associated with genetic variation in ESR1, the estrogen receptor alpha gene. Biol Psychiatry. 2007;62(8):925–33.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  94. Carpenter MJ, Upadhyaya HP, LaRowe SD, Saladin ME, Brady KT. Menstrual cycle phase effects on nicotine withdrawal and cigarette craving: a review. Nicotine Tob Res. 2006;8(5):627–38.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Epstein EE, Rhines KC, Cook S, Zdep-Mattocks B, Jensen NK, Mccrady BS. Changes in alcohol craving and consumption by phase of menstrual cycle in alcohol dependent women. J Subst Use. 2006;11(5):323–32.

    Google Scholar 

  96. Evans SM, Levin FR. Response to alcohol in women: role of the menstrual cycle and a family history of alcoholism. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2011;114(1):18–30.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  97. Schiller CE, Saladin ME, Gray KM, Hartwell KJ, Carpenter MJ. Association between ovarian hormones and smoking behavior in women. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2012;20(4):251–7.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  98. Klump KL, Keel PK, Culbert KM, Edler C. Ovarian hormones and binge eating: exploring associations in community samples. Psychol Med. 2008;38(12):1749–57.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  99. Protopopescu X, Tuescher O, Pan H, Epstein J, Root J, Chang L, et al. Toward a functional neuroanatomy of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. J Affect Disord. 2008;108(1):87–94.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Iacovides S, Avidon I, Baker FC. Does pain vary across the menstrual cycle? A review. Eur J Pain Lond Engl. 2015;19(10):1389–405.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. de Tommaso M. Pain perception during menstrual cycle. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2011;15(5):400–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Straneva PA, Maixner W, Light KC, Pedersen CA, Costello NL, Girdler SS. Menstrual cycle, beta-endorphins, and pain sensitivity in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Health Psychol. 2002;21(4):358–67.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Smith A, Miller S, Bodell L, Ribeiro J, Joiner T, Maner J. Cycles of risk: associations between menstrual cycle and suicidal ideation among women. Personal Individ Differ. 2015;74:35–40.

    Google Scholar 

  104. Schultheiss OC, Dargel A, Rohde W. Implicit motives and gonadal steroid hormones: effects of menstrual cycle phase, oral contraceptive use, and relationship status. Horm Behav. 2003;43(2):293–301.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Osório FL, de Paula Cassis JM, Machado de Sousa JP, Poli-Neto O, Martín-Santos R. Sex hormones and processing of facial expressions of emotion: a systematic literature review. Front Psychol. 2018;9:529. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5904259/

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  106. Rubinow DR, Smith MJ, Schenkel LA, Schmidt PJ, Dancer K. Facial emotion discrimination across the menstrual cycle in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and controls. J Affect Disord. 2007;104(1–3):37–44.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  107. Baker FC, Driver HS. Circadian rhythms, sleep, and the menstrual cycle. Sleep Med. 2007;8(6):613–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  108. Lamarche LJ, Driver HS, Wiebe S, Crawford L, DE Koninck JM. Nocturnal sleep, daytime sleepiness, and napping among women with significant emotional/behavioral premenstrual symptoms. J Sleep Res. 2007;16(3):262–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  109. Shechter A, Lespérance P, Ng Y, Kin NMK, Boivin DB. Nocturnal polysomnographic sleep across the menstrual cycle in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Sleep Med. 2012;13(8):1071–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Shechter A, Varin F, Boivin DB. Circadian variation of sleep during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Sleep. 2010;33(5):647–56.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  111. • Zheng H, Harlow SD, Kravitz HM, Bromberger J, Buysse DJ, Matthews KA, et al. Actigraphy-defined measures of sleep and movement across the menstrual cycle in midlife menstruating women: Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation Sleep Study. Menopause. 2015;22(1):66–74. Large prospective study demonstrating effects of the menstrual cycle on sleep.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  112. Baker FC, Sassoon SA, Kahan T, Palaniappan L, Nicholas CL, Trinder J, et al. Perceived poor sleep quality in the absence of polysomnographic sleep disturbance in women with severe premenstrual syndrome. J Sleep Res. 2012;21(5):535–45.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  113. Baker FC, Colrain IM, Trinder J. Reduced parasympathetic activity during sleep in the symptomatic phase of severe premenstrual syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 2008;65(1):13–22.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  114. Baker FC, Kahan TL, Trinder J, Colrain IM. Sleep quality and the sleep electroencephalogram in women with severe premenstrual syndrome. Sleep. 2007;30(10):1283–91.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  115. Baker FC, Colrain IM. Daytime sleepiness, psychomotor performance, waking EEG spectra and evoked potentials in women with severe premenstrual syndrome. J Sleep Res. 2010;19(1 Pt 2):214–27.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Sundström I, Bäckström T. Patients with premenstrual syndrome have decreased saccadic eye velocity compared to control subjects. Biol Psychiatry. 1998;44(8):755–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. McCall WV, Black CG. The link between suicide and insomnia: theoretical mechanisms. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2013;15(9):389.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  118. •• Premenstrual Syndrome, Management (green-top guideline no. 48) [internet]. Royal College of obstetricians & Gynaecologists. [cited 2018 Jul 20]. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg48/. Latest evidence-based treatment guidelines for premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

  119. DBT® Skills Training Manual: Second Edition [Internet]. Guilford Press. [cited 2018 Jul 20]. Available from: https://www.guilford.com/books/DBT-Skills-Training-Manual/Marsha-Linehan/9781462516995/reviews

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (R00MH109667), the Gia Allemand Foundation, and the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Sarah A. Owens

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Women’s Mental Health Research Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, 912 S Wood St., South Tower, Room 335, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Tory Eisenlohr-Moul

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Tory Eisenlohr-Moul

Authors
  1. Sarah A. Owens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tory Eisenlohr-Moul.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Sarah A. Owens declares no potential conflicts of interest.

Tory Eisenlohr-Moul reports grant support from the Gia Allemand Foundation, the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders, and a grant from the National Institutes of Health (R00109667).

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Reproductive Psychiatry and Women’s Health

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Owens, S.A., Eisenlohr-Moul, T. Suicide Risk and the Menstrual Cycle: a Review of Candidate RDoC Mechanisms. Curr Psychiatry Rep 20, 106 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0962-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0962-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation