Understanding Medical Terms for Menstrual Cycle Issues
Term | Description |
|---|---|
No periods | |
Primary amenorrhea | Periods never started at puberty |
Secondary amenorrhea | Periods started at puberty but have stopped |
Abnormal uterine (vaginal) bleeding | Any type of bleeding from the uterus that does not follow the normal pattern for menstrual cycles (such as heavy, long, or irregular bleeding); bleeding exits through the vagina, so it is often called vaginal bleeding |
Heavy menstrual bleeding (also called menorrhagia) | Unusually long and/or heavy periods |
Ovulatory dysfunction | Irregular or absent periods because ovulation (releasing an egg from the ovary) is not occurring on a regular schedule |
Intermenstrual bleeding | Bleeding in between periods |
Dysmenorrhea | Menstrual cramps or painful periods |
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) | Physical and psychological symptoms that occur before the start of a period |
A severe form of PMS with intense mood and emotional symptoms (psychological symptoms) that occur before the start of a period, end when or shortly after the period starts, and interfere with or impact daily activities and/or relationships | |
Perimenopause | The transitional period leading up to menopause; usually occurs several years before and up to 1 year after the last menstrual period |
Menopause | Occurs when ovaries stop releasing eggs, leading to the cessation of menstruation and defined as 12 months after the last period |
Postmenopausal bleeding | Bleeding that occurs after menopause |