Glossary
mastitis
An inflammation of breast tissue due to infection that may cause fever, redness, and pain.
menarche
The beginning of cycles of monthly bleeding. Occurs during puberty after girls start producing estrogen and progesterone.
menopause
The time in a woman's life when monthly bleeding stops permanently. Occurs when a woman's ovaries stop releasing eggs (ova). A woman is considered menopausal after she has had no bleeding for 12 months.
menorrhagia
See vaginal bleeding.
menses, menstrual period, menstruation
See monthly bleeding.
menstrual cycle
A repeating series of changes in the ovaries and endometrium that includes ovulation and monthly bleeding. Most women have cycles that each last between 24 and 35 days (see The Menstrual Cycle).
migraine aura
A nervous system disturbance that affects sight and sometimes touch and speech (see Identifying Migraine Headaches and Auras).
migraine headache
A type of severe, recurrent headache (see Identifying Migraine Headaches and Auras).
minilaparotomy
A female sterilization technique performed by bringing the fallopian tubes to a small incision in the abdomen and then usually tying and cutting them.
miscarriage
Natural loss of pregnancy during the first 20 weeks.
monthly bleeding
Monthly flow of bloody fluid from the uterus through the vagina in adult women, which takes place between menarche and menopause. Also, the monthly vaginal flow of bloody fluid that women have while using combined hormonal contraceptives (a withdrawal bleed).
mucous membrane
Membrane lining passages and cavities of the body that come in contact with air.