The Relationship Between Suicide Attempt andGonadotropins, Gonadal Hormones, and Cortisolin Females

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between suicidal behav ior and gonadotropins, gonadal hormones, and cortisol in females.Methods: The study included 3 groups of 23 females each, aged 18-45 years; one groupcomprising those who had attempted suicide, another group of females matched for age,menstrual phase, and body mass index, with depression but no suicidal tendencies, anda control group of 23 healthy females. For all participants, a sociodemographic informa tion 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 theattempted-suicide group, within 24 hours of the attempt), and follicle-stimulating hor mone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, and cortisol levels weremeasured. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups withrespect to gonadotropin and gonadal hormone levels. There were statistically significantdifferences in the cortisol levels between the attempted suicide and control groups andbetween the depression and control groups (P < .05). The cortisol levels negatively cor related with all scale scores. Conclusion: Studies on suicidal patients should pay more attention to the potential role ofhypocortisolism. More studies with larger samples are needed to investigate the relation ship between gonadotropins, gonadal hormones, and suicidal behavior.