menses

noun

men·​ses ˈmen-(ˌ)sēz How to pronounce menses (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the menstrual flow

Examples of menses in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web During the menses phase (your period), estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels. Dan Gordon, CNN, 23 Dec. 2022 Irregular menstrual cycles, or no periods at all, abnormal bleeding during your cycle, and significant or unusual pain before and during menses or intercourse, says Aghajanova. Jeanne Erdmann, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2021 Soon, Luciana was downing immunosuppressive drugs that caused her cheeks to bloat, her hair to thin, and her menses to stop. Claire Panosian Dunavan, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2016 Researchers found several indicators of severe menses pain among women who had been fed soy as babies – such as using hormonal birth control to relieve painful cramping. Megan Schmidt, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2018 These early laws were directed at the medications sold to ‘bring on the menses,’ which may or may not have succeeded in inducing miscarriages, but sometimes poisoned and killed women who took them. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2022 Following menses, which typically lasts three to five days, estrogen rises, peaking on day 14, right before ovulation. Jason Karp, Outside Online, 14 Mar. 2014 Those traveling north often used tree bark for shoe soles, and women would brew a drink out of wild lettuce to control their menses. Liza Weisstuch, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2022 The study did not discover any change in the length of bleeding, or menses, in people after they were vaccinated. oregonlive, 6 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'menses.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, months, plural of mensis month — more at moon

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of menses was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near menses

Cite this Entry

“Menses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menses. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

menses

noun singular or plural
men·​ses ˈmen-ˌsēz How to pronounce menses (audio)
: the menstrual flow

Medical Definition

menses

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
men·​ses ˈmen-ˌsēz How to pronounce menses (audio)
: the menstrual flow

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