Deaths in women of reproductive age and relationship with menstrual cycle phase. An autopsy study of cases reported to the coroner.
Deaths of women of reproductive age reported to H.M. Coroner were investigated to see whether or not there was a relationship with any particular phase or phases of the menstrual cycle. The phase of the cycle at death was determined by histological examination of endometrial tissue. 257 consecutive endometrial samples were examined from females that were autopsied between 1982 and 1989. 86 were discarded for various reasons, principally autolysis and the remaining 171 were placed into four histologically distinct phases of the cycle as follows: Menstrual (days 1-5); Proliferative (days 6-15): Early secretory (days (16-19): Mid/late secretory phases combined (days 20-28). There were 46 deaths from natural causes; 44 accidental deaths; 50 suicides and 31 homicides. The results from all categories of death combined, and within their four subgroups, did not show any significant bias to any particular phase or phases of the cycle. Indeed the deaths were distributed evenly as one would expect on theoretical grounds.
Department of Forensic Medicine, London Hospital Medical College, United Kingdom.
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Vanezis
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002423:Cause of Death; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D013405:Suicide