Menstrual Disorders Dictionary

laparoscopy: A procedure that uses small incisions and a laparoscope (a small telescopic lens system connected to a camera) to perform surgery.

laparoscopic presacral neurectomy: A surgical treatment for pelvic pain and dysmenorrheal that involves removing nerves in the pelvis.

menarche: A girl’s first menstruation.

menopause: The process during which a woman’s body begins to no longer have periods.

menorrhagia: Also called hypermenorrhea or dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), menorrhagia is a form of hemorrhaging in which an abnormally large amount of blood is discharged during menstruation.

menstrual disorders: A group of disorders involving abnormal menstruation, including oligomenorrhea, menorrhagia, dysmenorrheal, amenorrhea and polymenorrhea.

menstrual period/menstrual cycle: The time from which a woman begins menstruation through the time when she begins her next menstruation is called the menstrual period or cycle. In most women, this cycle repeats every 21 to 35 days; the average cycle is 28 days long. This cycle allows the tissue lining the uterus to be replaced, ensuring that it can support a developing fetus.

menstrual spotting: Menstrual bleeding that occurs at the wrong time of the cycle. This can be a symptom of fibroid tumors.

menstruation: The shedding of the lining of the uterus once a month; also called a period.

obesity: Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 to 39.9, while morbid obesity is defined as a BMI of 40.0 or higher.

oligomenorrhea: When periods occur less frequently than normal; usually the cycle is 35 days or longer, with a total of only four to nine periods in a year.

ovaries: The part of the female reproductive system that stores eggs.