Menstrual Phase of Women and Death Due to Deliberate Self Harm: An Autopsy Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The study was conducted by determining the phase of menstruation of women, who committed suicide by subjecting the uterus for gross and histopathological examination. An understanding whether there was an increased incidence of deliberate self-harm during any particular phase of menstruation was made by this study. AIMS: Determination of menstrual phase by conducting histopathology studies of uterus in females who died of a deliberate self-harm. To know whether there is an increased incidence of suicidal deaths during the premenstrual, menstrual or paramenstrual phase of menstrual cycle with reference to the age of the subject. A prospective study of thirty consecutive cases of suicide belonging to the age 15-30 years brought to the department of forensic medicine in the year 2013-14 for autopsy. The uterus was evaluated by histopathology and the menstrual phase determined and analyzed. The observations revealed no significant increased incidence of suicide during any particular menstrual phase.