Individuals diagnosed with PCOS have up to a 5.5-8.5x increased risk of attempted suicide compared to those without a PCOS diagnosis.[1],[2] Research showed that adult women under the age of 40 are most at risk.[3]
In this article we explore the link between PCOS and Suicide.
In addition to increased risk of suicide attempt, individuals with PCOS also exhibit:[4]
Higher risk of other forms of self-harm;[5]
Higher scores on the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), a predictive index of the 10-year survival in patients with multiple comorbidities;[6]
Attempted suicide at a younger age;
Shorter time between suicide attempts; and
Increased number of clinical visits across reasons to visit.
PCOS is associated with elevated levels of androgens[7], sex hormones that are produced in the ovaries, start at puberty and play a key role in reproductive health.[8] Find out more about PCOS and Androgen Excess. Elevated androgen levels are a risk factor for suicide as they contribute to impulsive and aggressive behavior.[9]
PCOS is also associated with elevated levels of estrogen, a sex hormone that’s necessary for maintaining your sexual and reproductive health.[10] Elevated estrogen levels are a risk factor for suicide as they increase depression-like symptoms (through inflammatory response and increased production of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-1, IL-6 and interferon ƴ (IFN- ƴ)).[11],[12]
PCOS could also contribute to increased suicide risk through a number of other factors, including:
Increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and tics;[13]
Increased prevalence of personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, associated with increased anger and decreased anger control;[14]
Increased prevalence of neurodivergence including ADHD and autism, a significant risk factor for suicide in women, particularly if an individual has both conditions;[15]
Increased risk of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),[16] a significant risk factor for suicide;[17] and
Stress related to the burden of the disease as experienced by the individual.
Overall risk factors for suicide include:[18]
Previous suicide attempt;
Family/loved one’s history of suicide;
History of depression or other mental illness;
Chronic illness;
Problems or loss related to employment, finances or relationships;
Impulsive and aggressive tendencies;
Use of drugs and/or alcohol;
Social isolation;
Victimization due to factors such as childhood abuse, violence, discrimination; and
Lack of access to social supports, including healthcare.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can access resources here:
Australia: if in immediate danger or urgent need of medical support, call 0-0-0 or if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide call 13-11-14 (both are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week). Links to other mental resources can be found here.
Canada: if in immediate danger or urgent need of medical support, call 9-1-1 or if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide call or text 9-8-8 (both are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week). Links to other mental resources can be found here.
UK: if in immediate danger or urgent need of medical support, call 9-9-9 or if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide call 1-1-1 (both are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week). Links to other mental resources can be found here.
US: if in immediate danger or urgent need of medical support, call 9-1-1 or if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide call or text 9-8-8 (both are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week). Links to other mental resources can be found here.
Reviewed by Riya Ganguly PhD., MBA, ICD.D, expert on technology transfer, new venture development and research facilitation
Sources
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9222400/
[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/persons-diagnosed-with-pcos-face-8-fold-increase-in-suicide-risk
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/05/women-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-higher-suicide-risk-study
[4] https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/new-study-reinforces-pcos-suicide-connection/
[5] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/persons-diagnosed-with-pcos-face-8-fold-increase-in-suicide-risk
[6] https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3917/charlson-comorbidity-index-cci
[7] https://www.uptodate.com/contents/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-beyond-the-basics/
[8] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22002-androgens
[9] https://mecp.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43045-023-00386-2
[10] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22353-estrogen
[11] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1001484/full
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6658985/
[13] https://mecp.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43045-023-00386-2
[14] https://mecp.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43045-023-00386-2
[15] https://www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/autistic-women-twice-as-likely-as-autistic-men-to-attempt-suicide/
[16] https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/50/9/10.31083/j.ceog5009193/htm
[17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7758737/
[18] https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/risk-factors/index.html
Complications - Mental Health