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Menstruation and suicide: a histopathological study.

Antoon A Leenaars¹, T D Dogra, Shalini Girdhar

¹draalee@sympatico.ca

|November 26, 2009

Summary

This study found a significant association between menstruation and completed suicide in women. Further research is needed to understand this link within broader contexts.

Area of Science:

Forensic pathology
Gynecology

Background:

Limited research exists on the link between the menstrual cycle and suicidal behavior, with mixed findings.
The contribution of menstruation to completed suicide remains controversial and understudied due to methodological limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the potential impact of the menstrual cycle on completed suicide in females.

Main Methods:

A case-control study involving 56 female completed suicides and 44 controls matched for cause of death.
Histopathological examination of uterine tissue was used to determine the stage of the menstrual cycle at the time of death.

Main Results:

A statistically significant higher proportion (25%) of women who died by suicide were menstruating compared to the control group (4.5%) (p < .002).

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Conclusions:

An association between menstruation and completed suicide was observed, warranting further investigation.
Methodological challenges in studying menstruation and suicide, including tissue examination, necessitate more research.
Understanding the impact of menstruation on suicide requires consideration of psychological, social, and cultural factors.