Last menstrual period

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Last Menstrual Period (LMP)

Last Menstrual Period (LMP), pronounced as /læst 'mɛnstrʊəl 'pɪəriəd/, is a term used in Obstetrics and Gynecology to denote the first day of a woman's most recent menstrual cycle. The term is commonly used in reproductive health to calculate the gestational age of a pregnancy.

Etymology

The term "Last Menstrual Period" is derived from the English words "last" meaning most recent, "menstrual" referring to the monthly cycle of menstruation in women, and "period" indicating a span of time.

Usage

In medical practice, the date of the LMP is used to estimate the expected date of delivery (EDD) in pregnant women. This is calculated using Naegele's Rule, which assumes a 28-day menstrual cycle. However, this method may not be accurate for women with irregular menstrual cycles.

Related Terms

  • Menstrual Cycle: The monthly cycle of changes in the ovaries and the lining of the uterus (endometrium), starting with the preparation of an egg for fertilization.
  • Gestational Age: The age of an embryo or fetus (or newborn infant) which is taken from the woman's last menstrual period (LMP).
  • Obstetrics: The branch of medicine and surgery concerned with childbirth and the care of women giving birth.
  • Gynecology: The medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system (vagina, uterus, and ovaries) and the breasts.
  • Naegele's Rule: A standard way of calculating the due date for a pregnancy, based on the woman's last menstrual period.

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