What is the term used for the first occurrence of menstruation?

The term for the first occurrence of menstruation is known as menarche. This event marks a significant milestone in female puberty, indicating the beginning of a woman's reproductive capability. Menarche typically occurs between the ages of 9 and 16 and is a result of the complex interplay of hormones that trigger the development of the menstrual cycle.

Understanding menarche is important not just in a physiological context, but also in an educational and health perspective, as it can have implications for a young woman's health and lifestyle. It symbolizes a transition into adulthood and carries cultural and social significance in many societies.

Other terms, such as menopause, refer to the cessation of menstruation typically occurring around mid-life, while ovulation is the process where an ovary releases an egg, and the menstrual phase refers to the part of the menstrual cycle when bleeding occurs. Each of these terms relates to different aspects of the reproductive cycle and female health but does not denote the initial onset of menstruation like menarche does.