Premenstrual Disorders Linked to Higher Risk of Specific Tragic Death

Menstruation frequently entails discomfort as the uterus readies for shedding. However, for certain individuals, the effects can be severe.

Approximately 5 to 8 percent of women endure moderate to severe symptoms that significantly impair their daily lives, mental well-being, and normal functioning.

These conditions, known as premenstrual disorders (PMDs), affect millions of women worldwide. Surprisingly, there is limited understanding of their long-term effects.

A recent nationwide observational study conducted in Sweden reveals that women diagnosed with premenstrual disorders (PMDs) face a heightened risk of suicide.

In fact, they are more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to women without PMDs. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for further research into PMDs and improved support for those affected.

Study Highlights Elevated Suicide Risk Among Young Women with PMDs

Led by Marion Opatowski, the study suggests women with PMDs don’t face a higher overall risk of early mortality but do have an elevated risk of suicide, especially among young women.

This underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and the development of suicide prevention strategies for all women with PMDs.

On average, individuals who menstruate experience around 480 menstrual cycles throughout their lifetimes, typically occurring on a cycle lasting between 23 to 38 days. The premenstrual phase spans roughly one week before menstruation commences, constituting approximately a quarter of the entire cycle.

This prolonged duration results in significant time spent experiencing premenstrual symptoms, particularly for individuals with PMDs. Among these disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder stands out for its severe symptoms, including intense depression, anxiety, anger, and mood swings.

Research Explores Link Between Premenstrual Disorders and Mortality Through Cohort Study

Earlier research has indicated that women with premenstrual disorders (PMDs) face an elevated risk of accidental injury and are more prone to exhibiting suicidal behaviors. Seeking deeper insights, Opatowski and her team delved into the connection between PMDs and mortality through a cohort study.

This type of study involves tracking a specific group of individuals over time to observe changes within that population.

Using various Swedish population registries, they monitored mortality outcomes for 67,748 women diagnosed with PMDs between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2018. Each patient was randomly matched with five women without PMDs, resulting in a total of 406,488 women.

Subsequently, they examined mortality rates and causes of death within these groups. Women with PMDs accounted for 367 deaths, resulting in a rate of 8.4 deaths per 10,000 person-years.

Conversely, women without PMDs experienced 1,958 deaths, yielding a rate of 9.1 deaths per 10,000 person-years.

Women with PMDs Face Higher Risk of Non-Natural Deaths, Especially Accidents and Suicide

Overall, women diagnosed with PMDs did not exhibit a higher risk of mortality. However, they did face an increased risk of death from non-natural causes, particularly accidents and suicide.

The incidence of suicide among women with PMDs was 2.3 deaths per 10,000 person-years, while among those without PMDs, it was 1.06 deaths per 10,000 person-years.

Previous research has shown a strong link between premenstrual disorders (PMDs) and psychiatric conditions, which are often tied to higher mortality rates. Despite adjusting for this connection, the heightened risk persists.

The study’s main focus was to determine whether such an association existed for any cause of death, without delving into its underlying reasons.

Interestingly, women with PMDs had a lower risk of death from cardiovascular causes. This could be due to more frequent healthcare monitoring or the effects of medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, commonly used for PMDs, or hormone replacement therapy.

Further investigation is necessary to comprehend the mechanisms underlying the correlation and to identify preventive measures.

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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