The menstrual cycle refers to a period of physiological changes that help prepare a woman’s body for the chance of pregnancy each month. The average cycle lasts for 28 days, although it may range from 21 to 35 days.

Amenorrhea is the clinical term for when a female misses one or more menstrual periods. Missing a period due to excessive physical activity is a form of secondary amenorrhea called exercise-induced amenorrhea.

Antidepressants may interfere with a woman’s menstrual cycle. Some women taking antidepressants may experience side effects and changes in their monthly cycle or menstrual period. Depression is approximately twice as common in women as it is in men in the United States, affecting one in five women.

A menstrual cycle will often preannounce its arrival by affecting your mood, eating habits, and/or physical well-being.

The first trimester of pregnancy is a busy time for a woman's body. Hormonal changes occur rapidly, creating an upheaval in the way you look and feel. Some symptoms at 3 months of pregnancy will be exciting to experience and others not so much. Each one is ultimately temporary.

From the moment you conceive, your baby relies on you to provide it with adequate nutrition so it can successfully grow to full-term. For the health of both you and your baby, it's key that you don't attempt to lose weight at any point in your pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester.

It was only a matter of time before tampon alternatives entered the market. Read on to learn about five substitutes and see if any are right for you.

Caffeine is a drug found in many popular beverages such as cola soft drinks, tea, coffee and energy drinks. This substance is also present in certain foods such as chocolate, and is added to certain medications, such as painkillers, according to the Nemours TeensHealth website.

Menstruation is a natural process, but most women wish their periods could be shorter and lighter. The average duration of a menstrual period is three to five days and will vary for individual women. Most women have a predetermined average cycle, which tends to get shorter with age, according to a 2004 study led by Y.

Every new mother wants to give her baby the best nutrition possible. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby, so it’s only natural to worry whether you have an adequate supply.

Numerous conditions can cause pain in the breast area. According to MayoClinic.com, breast pain may be caused by breast structures, or it may be caused by extra-mammary pain or pain that originates in a structure outside the breast. Chest wall problems can often mimic breast pain.

A common complaint in patients with liver problems is a sensation of fullness or bloating within the abdomen. This sensation results from increased water retention within the membranous lining of the abdominal tissue known as ascites, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine."