21-07-2018
In the course of borderline personality disorder, patients struggle with quite intractable difficulties - it is difficult for them to function even with their closest people. It is for this reason that researchers continue to search not only for the causes by which this problem occurs, but also for factors that may lead to the worsening of borderline patients. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago shows that the severity of the manifestations of this disorder in women may be related to menstruation and the period immediately preceding it.
The researchers conducted their analysis on a group of 310 women aged between 18 and 45 years. Of the 310 women, 17 met the criteria for borderline personality disorder. The subjects completed questionnaires (e.g. on borderline problems, but also on menstrual difficulties), in addition to laboratory tests (e.g. assessment of LH concentration in urine or progesterone testing in saliva).
The researchers' final conclusions were quite surprising: it turned out that during menstrual bleeding, as well as in the week prior to its onset, problems existing in patients with borderline personality disorder can increase in severity by up to 30 per cent.
Borderline sufferers have an increased risk of suicide - this is particularly exacerbated when the manifestations of the disorder become stronger, which is why the authors of the studies described here emphasise the importance of identifying the factors responsible for the deterioration of the patients' condition. However, the researchers mention that they are already planning further studies. It is likely that the worsening of the condition of borderline patients, related to the menstrual cycle, may be caused by changes in the concentrations of sex hormones - so the researchers plan to see if giving patients medication to stabilise the levels of these hormones will avoid exacerbation of their condition.
