Effects of gonadotropins and gonadal hormones on suicidal behavior

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical features of the patients who attempted suicide, to examine the levels of gonadotropin and gonadal hormones and to compare these data with patients diagnosed with depression without suicidal thoughts and / or attempts and healthy controls. Material and Method: Between March 2019 - December 2019, psychiatric interviews were conducted with SCID and the presence of psychopathology was determined with the patients who applied to the İnönü University Medical Faculty Emergency Department due to suicide attempt. In addition, Beck depression scale, Beck anxiety scale, Beck hopelessness scale, Barratt impulsivity scale, and Columbia suicide severity rating scale were applied to the cases, and a sociodemographic data form was filled. Blood samples were taken from the cases at 8.00 am in the first 24 hours after the suicide attempt, FSH, LH, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and cortisol values were measured. Data of 33 cases who attempted suicide included in the study; compared to two other paired groups in terms of age, gender and BMI. Results: In our study, the groups were similar in terms of age, gender, marital status and BMI. The female cases were similar in terms of the menstrual phase. In male cases, gonadotropin and gonadal hormone levels did not differ significantly between groups. Cortisol levels in female cases differed significantly between the three groups, and were lowest in the suicide group. In addition, a negative correlation was found between cortisol levels and scale scores in female cases. Conclusion: It is difficult to establish a causal relationship between low HPA axis activity and suicidal behavior in females. Suicidal behavior and duration of symptoms are two factors that may be associated with this phenomenon, and more studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.