The Relationship Between Suicide Attempt and Gonadotropins, Gonadal Hormones, and Cortisol in Females

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between suicidal behavior and gonadotropins, gonadal hormones, and cortisol in females.

Methods: The study included 3 groups of 23 females each, aged 18-45 years; one group comprising those who had attempted suicide, another group of females matched for age, menstrual phase, and body mass index, with depression but no suicidal tendencies, and a control group of 23 healthy females. For all participants, a sociodemographic information form was completed, and the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale were used. Blood samples were taken at 8 am (in the attempted-suicide group, within 24 hours of the attempt), and follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, and cortisol levels were measured.

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups with respect to gonadotropin and gonadal hormone levels. There were statistically significant differences in the cortisol levels between the attempted suicide and control groups and between the depression and control groups (P < .05). The cortisol levels negatively correlated with all scale scores.

Conclusion: Studies on suicidal patients should pay more attention to the potential role of hypocortisolism. More studies with larger samples are needed to investigate the relationship between gonadotropins, gonadal hormones, and suicidal behavior.

Cite this article as: Akan M, Ayaz N, Taşkapan MÇ, Bulut N, Gönenir Erbay L. The relationship between suicide attempt and gonadotropins, gonadal hormones, and cortisol in females. Alpha Psychiatry. 2021;22(5):230-236.