Dictionary

mental 1 Pertaining to the mind. 2 Pertaining to the chin.

menstruation, retrograde Menstruation in which blood flows from the uterus into the Fallopian tubes, and potentially into the abdomen. This condition may play a role in the development of endometriosis. See also endometriosis.

menstruation, cessation of The ending of a woman’s menstrual cycles. Menstruation ends naturally in middle age with the onset of menopause. It can also end suddenly as a result of induced menopause. Cessation of menstruation in nonmenopausal women may be due to pregnancy, illness, disorders of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, medication, stress, overexercise, or…

menstruation, anovular Menstruation that occurs without ovulation. Usually in anovular menstruation the egg that remains in the ovary simply disintegrates, but in some circumstances it is fertilized and a life-threatening ovarian pregnancy results.

menstruation Bleeding that occurs each month if pregnancy does not occur. Also known as menorrhea and menses. See also menstrual cycle.

menstrual synchronization A phenomenon that occurs when two or more menstruating women live or otherwise spend a lot of time together, in which the menstrual cycles of the women gradually become synchronized. The mechanism and reason for this effect is unknown, although research suggests that it may be due to the effects of female pheromones…

menstrual spotting The presence of apparent menstrual blood during the times of the menstrual cycle when bleeding is not expected. Some women have a tendency to bleed around the time of ovulation, which occurs at about the 14th day after the first day of menstrual bleeding. In other women, spotting can be a sign of…

menstrual irregularity Abnormality in the normal menstrual cycle, which is about 28 days long. Girls and teenagers may have menstrual irregularity for a time following the onset of menstrual periods. Some adult women also have irregular cycles. This can be a benign condition, but it can also be due to problems in the uterus or…

menstrual cycle The monthly cycle of changes in the ovaries and the lining of the uterus (endometrium), starting with the preparation of an egg for fertilization. When the follicle of the prepared egg in the ovary breaks, it is released for fertilization, and ovulation occurs. Unless pregnancy occurs, the cycle ends with the shedding of…

menstrual cramps Cramping in the lower abdomen, usually in the first or second day of the menstrual cycle, that is caused by contractions of the uterus as it expels its unneeded contents and by the passage of clotted blood through the cervix. Ibuprofen or other pain relievers can reduce the severity of menstrual cramps, and…

menorrhagia Excessive uterine bleeding or menstruation at the expected intervals of menstruation but that lasts longer than usual. Menorrhagia can cause significant anemia. It may also be a sign of underlying disease, such as hormone disorder, uterine fibroids, or cancer of the uterus. See also menometrorrhagia; metrorrhagia.

menopause transition Changes in female hormone production that may begin a number of years before the natural menopause. The levels of hormones produced by the aging ovaries fluctuate, leading to irregularity in the length of menstrual periods, the time between periods, and the level of period flow, as well as to hot flashes. Other changes…