What it means
The period: bleeding that happens about every 28 days (often 21 to 35) when pregnancy has not occurred, usually lasting 3 to 7 days. Hormone levels drop, and the thickened lining of the uterus comes away. It starts at pubertyPYOO-ber-teeThe stage of growth when a child's body matures into an adult body able to reproduce.Full entry (menarche) and stops at menopauseMEN-uh-pawzThe time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop for good, counted once there has been no period for 12 months in a row.men/o month, menstruation-pause stopFull entry . No periods is amenorrheaay-men-uh-REE-uhThe absence of menstrual periods.a- withoutmen/o menstruation-rrhea flowFull entry .
For the nurse
Ask the date of the first day of the last menstrual period, especially before drugs or x-rays that could harm a pregnancy. Ask about heavy bleeding, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemiaEYE-urn dih-FISH-un-see uh-NEE-mee-uhAnemia caused by too little iron in the body, so the bone marrow cannot make enough hemoglobin.Full entry .
At a glance
| Abbreviations | LMP (last menstrual period) |
|---|---|
| Everyday words | period |
| Spanish | menstruación |
| Also written | menstruating |
Related terms
menopause
The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop for good, counted once there has been no period for 12 months in a row.
puberty
The stage of growth when a child's body matures into an adult body able to reproduce.
progesterone
A female sex hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus for pregnancy and helps keep a pregnancy going, also given as a drug.
amenorrhea
The absence of menstrual periods.
ovulation
The release of a mature egg from an ovary, usually once in each menstrual cycle.