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 some women report that exercise is also helpful. Severe menstrual cramps, particularly if paired with excessive bleeding or passage of large blood clots, can occasionally be a sign of endometriosis or other disorders of the female reproductive tract. Also known as dysmenorrhea.
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- 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 part of […]
- Menstrual irregularity
The normal menstrual cycle is about four weeks long, and often follows the phases of the moon. Its length varies from three to seven days, but is usually consistent. However, girls and teenagers who menstruate are usually irregular. This is not a cause for concern unless regular menstruation has been established and is then lost. […]
- Menstrual migraine
A migraine headache that affects a woman each month between the 2nd day before the start of the menstrual period and the end of menstruation. Menstrual migraine is different from nonmenstrual attacks of migraine, even in the same women, in the regularity of its timing and its greater severity. Compared with other times in the […]
- Menstrual spotting
The presence of apparent menstrual blood during the wrong parts of the menstrual cycle. Some women have a tendency to bleed around ovulation, which occurs at about the 14th day after the first day of menstrual bleeding. In others, spotting can be a sign of internal problems, including fibroid tumors of the uterus, hormonal abnormalities, […]
- 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 on other […]