Unique Effects of Perimenstrual Estradiol or Progesterone Supplementation on Perimenstrual Suicidality

Previous work from our group demonstrates that perimenstrual worsening of suicidal thoughts in females is caused by normal perimenstrual withdrawal from the ovarian steroids estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), since perimenstrual stabilization of E2+P4 prevented the perimenstrual worsening of suicidal ideation observed under placebo. In the present study, we follow up on that work with an additional mechanistic trial in which E2 and P4 will be stabilized in separate arms of the study.

60 (30 completers) female outpatients, with past-month suicidal ideation but minimal imminent risk for attempt, will complete self-reports and clinical interviews measuring presence and severity of suicidal ideation in each of three conditions (A, B, C: order randomized across three menstrual cycles): (A) perimenstrual E2/P4 withdrawal (under placebo), (B) perimenstrual P4 withdrawal (exogenous stabilization of E2 only), and (C) perimenstrual E2 withdrawal (exogenous stabilization of P4 only). A washout cycle will separate conditions. Analyses will compare the perimenstrual trajectories of symptoms and suicidality across the three conditions.

Inclusion criteria

• Ability to adhere to medication regimen
• Speaks English
• Assigned female at birth with intact ovaries
• Premenopausal
• Normal menstrual cycles between 25-35 days
• Under current care of an outpatient mental health provider with visits occurring at least once every 3 months.
• At least 1 year postpartum.
• Willing to use a barrier method of birth control during the study.
• Normal weight (BMI between 18.00-29.99)
• Must report at least some recent suicidal ideation (in the past month) at the time of recruitment.
• Must be categorized as having acceptably low imminent risk for suicidal crisis/attempt by a licensed clinical psychologist utilizing evidence-based clinical and research guidelines for imminent suicide risk management.

Exclusion criteria

• Must not be pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant.
• Must not be taking any form of exogenous hormones or hormonal intrauterine device, and must have ended previous use of hormonal preparations at least one month prior to the study.
• Must not have a personal history of any chronic medical condition that may interfere with the aims of the study or make the experimental protocol unsafe, including but not limited to metabolic or autoimmune disease, epilepsy, endometriosis, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, or pulmonary disease, and no personal or first degree family history of thromboembolic events.
• Any current cigarette smoking is exclusionary.
• Must not report a current diagnosis of major depressive episode with peripartum onset (current episode), and must not be currently receiving treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (Note: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder diagnosis must have been made based on prospective daily ratings).
• Must not report any history of manic episode, any history of psychotic symptoms, or current substance use disorder.
• Must not test positive for (unprescribed) opioid use, methamphetamine use, or cocaine use at the start of an experimental condition.