A medical or scientific term for menstruation or the menstrual period.
From Greek 'katamenia', from 'kata-' (down, monthly) + 'mensis' (month), literally meaning 'monthly discharge.' Used in medical terminology since ancient times.
Ancient Greek doctors combined 'kata' (monthly) with 'mensis' to create a precise term for something humans have experienced for millions of years—it's a reminder that even ancient physicians needed clinical language for natural processes.
Greek katamēnia (menses). Exclusively medical terminology for menstruation; historically used in clinical contexts where menstrual function was pathologized or mystified by male physicians.
Use only in clinical/medical contexts. In general discourse, prefer 'menstruation' or 'period'. Avoid when describing menstrual health non-medically to avoid clinical distancing from normal physiology.
["menstruation","menses","period"]
Women's gynecological expertise has historically been erased; modern gynecology was built by male physicians excluding midwives and women healers who understood menstrual cycles for millennia.
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