menses

American  

[men-seez] / ˈmɛn siz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the periodic flow of blood and mucosal tissue from the uterus; menstrual flow.

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menses British  

/ ˈmɛnsiːz /

noun

1. another name for menstruation

2. the period of time, usually from three to five days, during which menstruation occurs

3. the matter discharged during menstruation

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menses Scientific  

/ mĕn′sēz /

1. See menstruation

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Etymology

Origin of menses

1590–1600; < Latin mēnsēs, plural of mēnsis month

Example Sentences

"Discrepancies in the incidence of who gets migraine attacks associated with menses is likely due to premenopausal women having more regular menstrual cycles and thus more menstrual-related migraines," says Ailani.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2024

Anytime before the “quickening”—the time in pregnancy around 16-18 weeks when women can feel the fetus moving within them— women could ingest herbs or teas to try to get their menses to restart.

From Slate • Jul. 18, 2022

A doctor researching mifepristone in the 1980s said the drug would prove useful “as a menses inducer for women who are late with their periods.”

From Slate • May 13, 2022

Elizabeth Ward, a Boston-based dietitian and co-author of “The Menopause Diet Plan,” notes that sudden changes in weight can also affect menses.

From Washington Post • Aug. 21, 2020

Another physical anomaly, which is presumably of endocrine origin, is the suppression of the menses.

From Benign Stupors A Study of a New Manic-Depressive Reaction Type by MacCurdy, John T. (John Thompson)