Dictionary

menopause, natural Menopause that occurs when the ovaries naturally decrease their production of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. See also menopause.

menopause, induced Menopause that is caused by surgical removal of the ovaries, or grave damage to the ovaries by radiation, chemotherapy, or medication. Because of the abrupt cutoff of ovarian hormones, induced menopause may cause the sudden onset of hot flashes and other menopause-related symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and a decline in sex drive….

menopause, chemical Menopause that is induced by chemotherapy or by other chemicals or medications. See also menopause; menopause, induced.

menopause The time for a woman, usually in middle age, when menstrual periods end. Menopause is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. Natural menopause occurs when the ovaries begin decreasing their production of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, and the timing of menopause varies, with an average age of…

menometrorrhagia Excessive uterine bleeding, both at the usual time of menstrual periods and at other irregular intervals. Menometrorrhagia can be a sign of a number of different disorders, including hormone imbalance, endometriosis, benign fibroid tumors in the uterus, and cancer. Anemia may result from the excessive uterine bleeding. Treatment depends on the cause: If there…

meno- Prefix meaning pertaining to the menses.

Menkes syndrome A genetic disorder that is characterized by fragile, twisted hair, growth delay, and progressive deterioration of the brain. Menkes syndrome is due to an error in copper transport that results in copper deficiency. The gene responsible for the syndrome is called ATP7A, on the X chromosome. Females are carriers of Menkes syndrome, and…

meningomyelocele Protrusion of the spinal cord and the membranes covering it through a defect in the vertebral column. The defect is due to failure of the neural tube to close during fetal development. The infant has a hole in the lumbar spine through which a skin-covered sac containing the meninges and part of the spinal…

meningocele Protrusion of the membranes of the spinal cord or brain through a defect in the vertebral column or skull.

meningitis, viral Inflammation of the meninges that is due to a virus, such as mumps virus or coxsackievirus, that is shed in the feces, sputum (spit), and nasal discharges. Viral meningitis is contagious, and it occurs most frequently in children. It can be a complication of common childhood diseases, including chickenpox. Symptoms include fever, headache,…

meningitis, neoplastic Inflammation of the meninges due to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the meninges. The name neoplastic meningitis is a misnomer because the condition is not inflammatory. It is more properly called meningeal carcinomatosis or meningeal metastases.

meningitis, Mollaret A rare form of aseptic meningitis characterized by a recurrent pattern with symptom-free intervals between episodes. Symptoms of Mollaret meningitis, which last from 1 to 7 days, include headache, neck ache, fever, and neck stiffness. With this type of meningitis, there is usually rapid onset of symptoms and resolution without residual damage to…