Menopause Age and Suicide Risk in Women
Author Information
Author(s): Moon Daa Un, Kim Hyewon, Jung Jin-Hyung, Han Kyungdo, Jeon Hong Jin
Primary Institution: Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Samsung Medical Center
Hypothesis
Earlier onset of menopause is associated with an increased risk of suicide.
Conclusion
Women who experience menopause at an earlier age, especially those with primary ovarian insufficiency, have a higher risk of suicide.
Supporting Evidence
- Women with primary ovarian insufficiency had a 43% higher risk of suicide.
- Suicide risk decreased with increasing age at menopause.
- 2,986 suicides were recorded over a 12-year follow-up period.
Takeaway
If women go through menopause early, they might feel sadder and have a higher chance of wanting to hurt themselves.
Methodology
This study analyzed data from the Korean National Health Insurance System, focusing on postmenopausal women and using Cox proportional hazards models to assess suicide risk.
Potential Biases
Potential for selection bias and underreporting of mental health conditions due to cultural stigma.
Limitations
The study's retrospective nature may lead to recall bias, and findings may not be generalizable beyond Korean women.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted of postmenopausal women aged 30 years and older, with a mean age of 61.7 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
1.14–1.78
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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