| Follicular phase (fuh-LIK-you-lur) | The first phase of the menstrual cycle, beginning just after menstruation, during which an egg matures in preparation for ovulation.
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| Ovulation | Release of an egg from the ovaries; the second phase of the menstrual cycle.
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| Luteal phase (LOO-tee-uhl) | The third phase of the menstrual cycle, following ovulation.
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| Corpus luteum | The mass of cells of the follicle remaining after ovulation; it secretes progesterone.
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| Menstruation | The fourth phase of the menstrual cycle, during which the endometrium of the uterus is sloughed off in the menstrual discharge.
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| Toxic shock syndrome | A sometimes fatal bacterial infection associated with tampon use during menstruation.
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| Dysmenorrhea (dis-men-oh-REE-uh) | Painful menstruation.
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| Prostaglandins | Chemicals secreted by the uterus that cause the uterine muscles to contract; they are a likely cause of painful menstruation.
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| Endometriosis | A condition in which the endometrium grows abnormally outside the uterus; the symptom is unusually painful periods with excessive bleeding.
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| Amenorrhea | The absence of menstruation.
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| Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) | A combination of severe physical and psychological syumptoms, such as depression and irritability, occurring just before menstruation.
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| Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) | A tentative diagnostic category in the DSM, characterized by symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, and irritability in the week before menstruation.
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| Menopause | The cessation of menstruation in middle age.
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| Andropause | The time of declining androgen levels in middle-aged men. The male version of menopause. Also called ADAM (androgen decline in the aging male).
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