Menstruation
Also called: Menses, Menstrual period, Period
Menstruation, or period, is a woman's monthly bleeding. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus sheds its lining. The menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissue from inside the uterus, or womb. It passes out of the body through the vagina. Periods usually start around age 12 and continue until menopause, at about age 51. Most periods last from three to five days.
You should consult your health care provider if
 You haven't started menstruating by age 16
Your period suddenly stops
You bleed excessively, or for more days than usual
You suddenly feel sick after using tampons
You bleed between periods
You have severe pain during your period
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a group of symptoms that start before the period. It can include emotional and physical symptoms.
Source: Menstruation: MedlinePlus
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