Glossary

Pimples on the face that often appear at puberty.

The hole in the buttocks where faeces come out.

Endometriosis is when the endometrium develops outside the uterus. At the time of menstruation, the pain is therefore greater because there is bleeding in several places.

Menstruation is a natural process. The first period generally occurs between the ages of 9 and 16.

A doctor who specialises in the female body and reproductive system.

Very thin tissue that closes off part of the vagina (it does not close completely to allow periods and discharge to pass through).

The end of ovulation and menstruation in women around the age of 45.

"The menstrual cycle is what happens in a girl's or woman's body after the first period. It lasts between 21 and 35 days and is made up of 4 phases, including menstruation. It begins on the first day of the period and ends the day before the next period. As soon as one cycle ends, another begins, until menopause (permanent end to menstruation)".

Between the ages of around 9 and 45, women have blood flowing from their vagina for a few days every month, except during pregnancy. This phenomenon is known as menstruation. It is one of the phases of the menstrual cycle.

Female hormone produced in the ovaries. It produces, for example, the physical and psychological changes in girls at puberty.

The ovaries are located in your lower abdomen, at each end of the uterus and are attached to the fallopian tubes. The ovaries are shaped like small eggs and make the eggs.

During each menstrual cycle, an egg is expelled from an ovary 14 days before menstruation - this is ovulation.

The ovum is tiny: it is produced by an ovary around once a month. It is this cell that can become a baby when it meets a sperm cell.

All the signs that appear in the week before your period. These may include headaches, tender breasts, stomach or back pain, swelling of the lower abdomen and pimples. You may also feel tired, irritated or angry.

Female hormone used to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. It is produced by the body each cycle after ovulation.

Puberty is the time in your life when you go from being a child to an adult. Between the ages of 9 and 19, your body changes. You also start to think differently, noticing and feeling new things. This is completely normal and a good sign.

The little hole between your legs where pee comes out.

The external part of the female genital tract.