Menstruation
Regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.
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Menstrual cycle
Series of natural changes in hormone production and the structures of the uterus and ovaries of the female reproductive system that make pregnancy possible.
Triggered by falling progesterone levels, menstruation (a "period", in common parlance) is the cyclical shedding of the lining, and is a sign that pregnancy has not occurred.
Pregnancy
Time during which one or more offspring develops inside a woman's womb.
Childbirth typically occurs around 40 weeks from the start of the last menstrual period (LMP).
Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to emotional and physical symptoms that regularly occur in the one to two weeks before the start of each menstrual period.
Breastfeeding
Process by which human breast milk is fed to a child.
Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation, and in very specific circumstances, fertility, a phenomenon known as lactational amenorrhea.
Mucous membrane
Membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs.
In the uterus, the mucous membrane is called the endometrium, and it swells each month and is then eliminated during menstruation.
Endometrium
Inner epithelial layer, along with its mucous membrane, of the mammalian uterus.
The functional layer thickens and then is shed during menstruation in humans and some other mammals, including apes, Old World monkeys, some species of bat, the elephant shrew and the Cairo spiny mouse.
Ovulation
Release of eggs from the ovaries.
If no conception occurs, the uterine lining as well as the egg will be shed during menstruation.
Acne
Long-term skin condition that occurs when dead skin cells and oil from the skin clog hair follicles.
Hormonal activity, such as occurs during menstrual cycles and puberty, may contribute to the formation of acne.
Progesterone
Endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species.
Progesterone converts the endometrium to its secretory stage to prepare the uterus for implantation. At the same time progesterone affects the vaginal epithelium and cervical mucus, making it thick and impenetrable to sperm. Progesterone is anti-mitogenic in endometrial epithelial cells, and as such, mitigates the tropic effects of estrogen. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels will decrease, leading, in the human, to menstruate. Normal menstrual bleeding is progesterone-withdrawal bleeding. If ovulation does not occur and the corpus luteum does not develop, levels of progesterone may be low, leading to anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are members of a therapeutic drug class which reduces pain, decreases inflammation, decreases fever, and prevents blood clots.
Dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain)