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Menstrual
Menstrual An endocrine cycle of 28 days in women which includes fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, the events of enodmetrial development, follicular maturation, ovulation, changes in cervical mucus secretion, breast vascularization changes, and if pregnancy does not occur, menstruation.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Endocrine
Pertaining to hormones and the glands that make and secrete them into the bloodstream through which they travel to affect distant organs. The endocrine sites include the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid, parathyroids, heart (which makes atrial-natriuretic peptide), the stomach and intestines, islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the kidney (which makes renin, erythropoietin, and calcitriol), fat cells (which make leptin). the testes, the ovarian follicle (estrogens) and the corpus luteum in the ovary). Endocrine is as opposed to exocrine. (The exocrine glands include the salivary glands, sweat glands and glands within the gastrointestinal tract.)
Estrogen
A hormone produced in the ovaries that works with progesterone to, among other things, regulate the reproductive cycle.
Progesterone
A hormone produced in response to luteinizing hormone (LH) released from the pituitary gland. It is required to flush out the uterus if an egg is not fertilized. It is also useful for stimulating the growth of new bone mass.
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
Ovulation
Release of a mature egg from an ovary.
Cervical
Having to do with the neck (cervical spine) or the cervix of the uterus.
Mucus
A substance secreted by various tissues in the body (the mucous membranes) made up of water, mucin (a glycoprotein), salts, and some cells. In the lungs, mucus serves to lubricate the insides of the airways and to trap inhaled foreign particles so that they can be coughed out. In asthma, however, an excess of mucus is produced and can actually block airways. Mucus also tends to be thicker and more viscous in asthmatics.
Breast
The breast refers to the front of the chest or, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland. It is composed largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. These ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The ducts exit the breast at the nipple.
Menstruation
In women, the periodic (monthly) bloody discharge from the uterus and vagina approximately two weeks after ovulation.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the periodic change in a woman's body that occurs every month between puberty and menopause and that relates to reproduction. The average human menstrual cycle, regulated by hormones, takes 28 days, but it can range from 21 to 35 days.
Menstrual flow
Flow of blood from the uterus; occurs at roughly monthly intervals during a woman's reproductive years.
Menstrual period
The menstrual cycle is the periodic change in a woman's body that occurs every month between puberty and menopause and that relates to reproduction. The average human menstrual cycle, regulated by hormones, takes 28 days, but it can range from 21 to 35 days.
Menstruation
In women, the periodic (monthly) bloody discharge from the uterus and vagina approximately two weeks after ovulation.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuester syndrome
A sexual birth defect characterized by impaired differentiation of the Müllerian ducts so that the uterus is rudimentary and cordlike. The deep part of the vagina is absent and the outer part is shallow or in the form of a dimple. The fallopian tubes may be defective, and there may be other sporadic congenital anomalies. The ovaries are normal and induce normal femininizing puberty, except for lack of menstruation secondary to the defective uterus. Psychosexual differentiation is as a female.
Meatus
An opening or passageway in the body, such as the urinary meatus.
Mechanism
The arrangement or association of the elements or parts of anything in relation to the effect they generate; the combination of mental processes by which an effect is generated.
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)
The generic name of Depo-Provera. It has many of the physiological properties of progesterone, and so is known as a synthetic progestin, although in chemical structure it is actually an androgen, like testosterone, which is closely related to progesterone. Therapeutically, MPA has varied uses: to suppress ovulation (in the birth control pill); to prevent spermatogenesis (as a male contraceptive); and as an antiandrogen to suppress androgen release and sexuoeroticism, reversibly, in male sex offenders. 2. A pharmaceutical hormonal product marketed under the name of Provera or Depo-Provera.® It has many of the physiological properties of progesterone, and so is known as a synthetic progestin, though in chemical structure it is actually an androgen, like testosterone, which is closely related to progesterone. Therapeutically, medroxyprogesterone acetate has varied uses: to suppress ovulation (in the birth-control injection or pill); to prevent spermatogenesis (as a male contraceptive); and as an antiandrogen to suppress androgen release and libido, reversibly, in male sex offenders (chemical castration).
Menage a trois
See troilism [French, household of three].
Menstrual
Menstruation
In women, the periodic (monthly) bloody discharge from the uterus and vagina approximately two weeks after ovulation.
Mercantile paraphilia
One of a group of paraphilias characterized by triumph wrested developmentally from sexuoerotic tragedy by means of a strategy that incorporates sinful lust into the lovemap on the condition that it be traded, bartered, or purchased and paid for, not freely exchanged, since it irrevocably defiles saintly love.
Metabolite
In the body, a substance that is produced by the body's own chemistries.
Metamorphosis
A striking change in appearance, form, or substance.
Microcannula
A hair-thin glass tube so small that it can penetrate a single cell and deliver a minute drop of a liquid substance to the cell.
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