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Menstruation, often shortened as ménstruation or "period," is a natural biological process unique to the female reproductive system. It is a physiological occurrence in which the uterus sheds its lining, leaving the blood, mucus, and other tissue fragments in the vaginal canal. This shedding process repeats cyclically, typically lasting between 21 and 35 days, but often cycles with an average duration of 28 days.

The menstrual cycle is regulated by the interplay of hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, released by the ovaries. During the luteal phase, when progesterone levels surge, the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) becomes thicker. If fertilization does not occur, the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease, and the endometrium is shed, marking the onset of menstruation.

Menstruation usually begins between 9-16 years of age, peaking in intensity during puberty and adolescence. It often continues until menopause, a natural aging process, when the ovaries stop producing eggs and hormone production declines. Menstruation may also be suppressed temporarily by factors such as birth control pills, breastfeeding, and certain medical conditions. In many cultures, menstruation has historically held sacred and symbolic significance.

Social attitudes towards menstruation vary significantly across cultures and time. Often linked to reproductive and social taboos, menstruation has been stigmatized or viewed as unclean. However, in recent years, there has been an increasing shift towards educating people about menstruation as a normal, natural aspect of human biology. The term men_ar_e=title_*enules is often replaced by period in contemporary use to facilitate more open and concise explanations of reproductive health and feminine disease.