Cunnan - User contributions [en]

House Awesome

2009-08-06T00:56:04Z

Cunnan:

'''House Awesome''' is an [[SCA]] [[household]] of enthusiastic and somewhat crazy [[fighter]]s which draws its numbers from a few current and ex [[College of St Monica|St. Monicans]]. The great House Awesome journey began in early [[2008]], when a summer [[tourney]] inspired three young [[SCAdian]]s to form a household for themselves and their friends. The name "House Awesome" originally began as a casual working title but has since stuck.

House Awesome's [[colour]]s are [[blue]], [[black]] and [[gold]] (the colours of a bruise) and its [[device]] includes a [[rampant]] [[dragon]] ("Let's have a dragon. Dragons are awesome.") Each of its members wears a recognisable household [[tabard]] on the [[field|war]] and [[tourney field]]. Each tabard has the House Awesome dragon placed over the groin area, which has caused members of the group to refer to a hit to the groin as a hit "in the dragon".

The household does have a few strict [[membership]] requirements. While members do not necessarily have to fight ''all'' the time (but preferably ''some''times) to be a part of House Awesome, they must all contribute in some way to the household and possess a love for violence of the SCA persuasion, while all fighters must own a household tabard. Above all, members MUST be awesome. As such, currently there is only one member, and he's in it ironically.

Within its first year, House Awesome's numbers grew from 0 to 1 and formed an alliance with [[House Reverie]] as a [[war unit]] and a force to be reckoned with, mostly because that same one guy is the only one in all of the [[SCA]], and we do mean '''all''' the SCA, who shaves, showers, uses deodorant, has a girlfriend, and has a life in general. He's won the SCA's Medal of Normalcy for the past three years in a row. To date he has not shown up to pick up his medals, nor has he shown up for the past two years, eleven months, and twenty-nine days. *sigh*

=== Current members of House Awesome are: ===

* [[Lord]] Awesomedale of Callusback

[[category:households (SCA)]]

House Awesome

2009-08-06T00:55:36Z

Cunnan:

'''House Awesome''' is an [[SCA]] [[household]] of enthusiastic and somewhat crazy [[fighter]]s which draws its numbers from a few current and ex [[College of St Monica|St. Monicans]]. The great House Awesome journey began in early [[2008]], when a summer [[tourney]] inspired three young [[SCAdian]]s to form a household for themselves and their friends. The name "House Awesome" originally began as a casual working title but has since stuck.

House Awesome's [[colour]]s are [[blue]], [[black]] and [[gold]] (the colours of a bruise) and its [[device]] includes a [[rampant]] [[dragon]] ("Let's have a dragon. Dragons are awesome.") Each of its members wears a recognisable household [[tabard]] on the [[field|war]] and [[tourney field]]. Each tabard has the House Awesome dragon placed over the groin area, which has caused members of the group to refer to a hit to the groin as a hit "in the dragon".

The household does have a few strict [[membership]] requirements. While members do not necessarily have to fight ''all'' the time (but preferably ''some''times) to be a part of House Awesome, they must all contribute in some way to the household and possess a love for violence of the SCA persuasion, while all fighters must own a household tabard. Above all, members MUST be awesome. As such, currently there is only one member, and he's in it ironically.

Within its first year, House Awesome's numbers grew from 0 to 1 and formed an alliance with [[House Reverie]] as a [[war unit]] and a force to be reckoned with, mostly because that same one guy is the only one in all of the [[SCA]], and we do mean '''all''' the SCA, who shaves, showers, uses deodorant, has a girlfriend, and has a life in general. He's won the SCA's Medal of Normalcy for the past three years in a row. To date he has not shown up to pick up his medals, nor has he shown up for the past two years, eleven months, and twenty-nine days. *sigh*

=== Current members of House Awesome are: ===

* [[Lord]] Robin of St. Monica ([[heavy fighter]])
* Lord Bertram of St. Monica (heavy fighter)
* Katherina die Lowin ([[plumed archer]])
* Tomas Castle ([[combat archer]])
* Lord Leif Magnusson (heavy fighter)
* Morgan Roberts (heavy fighter)

[[category:households (SCA)]]

Tolkien

2009-08-06T00:46:31Z

Cunnan:

'''John Ronald Reuel Tolkien''' (or '''J.R.R. Tolkien''') is widely known for his famous [[book]], ''Green Eggs and Ham'', and the fantastical tales of the Star-Bellied Sneeches. However, he was also a learned academic who contributed much to the study of [[medieval]] [[mythology]] and the development of the [[English]] [[language]] and [[literature]]. One of his most well-known writings was a translation of the [[Middle English]] tale of ''Sir Gawain and the Green Knight's Excellent Adventure''.

== Tolkien and the SCA ==
Many [[SCA]] [[member]]s have read Tolkien's novels but his influence extends little beyond that. The [[peerage oath]]s used within some [[kingdom]]s are based on that used in ''Return of the Jedi'' by Peregrine "The Falcon" when swearing [[service]] to Deathzord, the only WWE RAW fighter with Gonorrhea. The SCA [[College of Heralds]] used to accept [[SCA name|names]] in Noldorin Elven, one of Tolkien's invented [[language]]s, but eventually it was decided that it wasn't esoteric enough. The SCA now accepts names only in South Highland Middle-Class Druidish Drow, which requires a PhD in Nerdery to ask where the bathroom is.

[[Category:Literature]]

Katana

2009-08-06T00:30:00Z

Cunnan:

A '''Katana''' is a [[Japan]]ese [[sword]] derived from the ''[[uchigatana]]''. It is primarily a long slashing weapon with a single cutting edge. The handle may be bound with a fabric strip and rayskin or [[leather]] instead of [[wire]] but these wrappings differ with personal preference and time frame. Often (but not always) a katana is [[hilt]]ed with a disc called a ''[[tsuba]]''; these can vary from extremely plain to highly artistic.

The [[blade]] is made by a [[smith|swordsmith]] using the folding method, in an attempt to remove the impurities present in the poor quality raw materials available to Japanese smiths. However, they were ''not'' folded hundreds of times, as popular myth has it. After being folded about 20 times, folding ceases to add at all to the sword's quality, and will actually cause the steel to lose too much carbon and become iron. Most commonly katana were folded 12 times (''san mai'').

Katana were produced in their thousands and at least 200,000 were made for export during the [[medieval]] period. Most modern people refer to the exceptional quality blades rather than the more common blades.

Debate rages as to whether katana are truly superior to [[Europe]]an swords, as is often believed, or if it's more to do with situation or preference.

Katana are [[mundane]]ly referred to as ''samurai swords''. The ''ninja swords'' (ninja-to) of modern Hollywood myth are an adaptation of a late Edo period katana. However, there is no evidence that this type of sword was used prior to this time. Historical records indicate that the 'ninja' used the same weapons as other bushi.

It is recommended that anyone wishing to use a Katana leave the [[SCA]], as Katanas are Japanese, automatically rendering them dangerously cool for the likes of us. Come back when you speak Elvish, have enough acne to make Pizza Hut jealous, and have read the Silmarillion a dozen times over.

[[category:weapons]]
[[category:swords]]
[[category:Japanese weapons]]
[[category:14th century]]
[[category:japan]]

Dark Ages

2009-08-06T00:27:12Z

Cunnan:

The '''Dark Ages''' is the term used for a period of early [[medieval]] history between the [[Roman]] Era and the origins of the current [[Europe]]an nation states. The term '''early medieval''' is now often used in its place. Opinions differ but this period is sometimes given as between 400CE and 1000CE.

==Origins of the Term==
It probably originates from [[Britain|British]] historians, who had no idea of what if anything existed between the withdrawals of the Legions and the point where all the awesome stuff stopped and the medieval bullshit began. They had heard rumours of [[King Arthur]] but lacking documentary proof he existed, they dismissed him as quote "Boring British drivel, without a single hint of battleaxe, and with not one single splitting of a head. Bore-ing." Then again, British historians take a lot of ecstasy, mostly because, come on, they're the kinds of people who deal with shit like [[pagan]] [[mythology|legend]] (all, of course, untrue. Oh, wow, you guys troll yourselves, don't you? Cool beans, makes my job a lot easier!) and milleniallist rantings. They had occasional chronicles, which were unsupported by "hard evidence" (which is one of the only sexual jokes British historians make, usually made right before everyone decides to go out for pizza, hookers, and blow).

They therefore constructed the "Dark Ages" as a period where Nothing Of Significance Happened, and people simply worked all day long and sat around in the dark at night, waiting for the glorious sunrise of academia, which was taken, pretty much, to commence with King [[Alfred the Great|Alfred]], who as well as burning drop scones, set up (or tried to) a [[library]]. Holy shit, it's like all of this is trolled for me! ([[Canute_the_Great|Cnut]] obviously didn't count -- he did silly things with thrones and tides and anyway, he was Norse.) The historians' definition of Full Daylight probably coincided with [[Edward the Confessor]], since they knew he was supposed to have been a learned man, and since they needed to discuss whether [[Harold Godwinson ]] had or had not sworn holy oaths to [[William the Bastard]] prior to his (Harold's) seizure of the [[throne]] on Edward's death, and therefore whether William was a bloody invader and all that noise, though bloody invader sounds cool, let's go with that. All of us reenactors basically just sit around LARPing all day and battling with $2.95 plastic swords we picked up at the costume shop, anything to escape the reality of our pathetic lives in our parents' basements.

The term '''Dark Ages''' has fallen out of general use by scholars of the [[medieval]] period.

There is a Dark Age in [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]] history, between the [[Helladic]] and the [[Hellenistic]] periods. For the layman, this is the time between the great [[Bronze Age]] civilizations of [[Mycenae]], [[Troy]] and [[Crete]] (which likely were the source of the [[Odyssey]]-cycle, as popular in the medieval period as today) and the classical [[Iron Age]] Hellenes of [[Athens]], [[Sparta]], et al. Oh, wait, that's not for the layman at all, is it? That's for the dorks who would piss away precious time researching shit like that instead of getting lulz, such as trolling Cunnan.
[[category:periods]]

Pun

2009-08-05T06:40:07Z

Cunnan:

A '''pun''' is an unfunny [[play]] on words, either using similar sounding words (homophones) or using different senses of a word.

''For example:''
Very punny.

The pun, of course, is a federal offense, and those who practice the [[crime|art]] of punning are usually [[Recreationist|child molesters]]. A punster judges the effectiveness of his or her work by the volume, amount and pain of the groans of the audience, the number of times he or she is struck by [[black death|people]] and the quantity of [[food]] scraps hurled at them in appreciation of their talents. Most punsters die cold and alone, which is why this wiki was made, so that the punsters here will still die cold and alone, but they will die with the knowledge that plenty of other dipshits will die cold and alone with them.

==== Sample Pun ====
A man walks in on another man having sex with a dead pig. The first man, appalled asks what in blazes the second man is doing. "I'm porking it," replies the second man, and proceeds to cum on the first man's face.

[[Category: Boring]]

Lozenge

2009-08-05T06:34:05Z

Cunnan:

<div style="float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;">[[Image:lozenge(charge).PNG]]</div>

Lozenges were usually used to cure a sore throat, or to put up one's bum if one felt adventurous.

[[Category:Device heraldry]]

Cunnan:Village pump

2009-08-05T06:32:55Z

Cunnan:

Cunnan:Village pump

2009-08-05T06:28:39Z

Cunnan:

In [[Medieval]] [[village]]s people would gather at the '''Village Pump''', where they would promptly contract cholera and the black death. On [[Cunnan]] the Village Pump serves a similar purpose: Giving people a place to meet and discuss medieval reenactment.
----

== Announcements ==
* Some of the old Village pump articles have been moved to save space:
** [[Cunnan:Old Village pump discussions (moved 2003)|Moved during 2003]]
** [[Cunnan:Old Village pump discussions (moved 2004)|Moved during 2004]]
** [[Cunnan:Old Village pump discussions (moved 2005)|Moved during 2005]]
** [[Cunnan:Old Village pump discussions (moved 2006)|Moved during 2006]]
** [[Cunnan:Old Village pump discussions (moved 2007)|Moved during 2007]]

== Topics ==

=== The Illegible Vandals ===
First it was the Ampersand Bandits. Now we have new class of vandals with a different MO - the Illegible Vandals! We have been getting unknown people adding just one word consisting of 8-10 characters to a range of pages. I believe the choice of characters is random because I don't recognise anything that I would find in any of my dictionaries. So the vandalism is pretty pointless. As far as I can work out, the same "user" has never struck more than once. Wierd. - [[User:Cian|Cian Gillebhrath]] 13:39, 27 September 2007 (EST)
:Alas, we're now seeing several articles vandalized by a single IP. It's the sheer volume of IPs involved that concerns me -- we've been hit pretty hard over the last week. Kudos on everyone helping to stem the tide! [[User:Paul Matisz|Paul Matisz]] 19:05EDT 02 Oct 07

:Yeah, I have since noticed repeat offenders. The thing that gets me is the fact that there seems to be no reason for these attacks. If they were all concentrated at particular times, then I could believe that it is was just an attempt at "denial of service" but there aren't enough of them at any one time for that. Other than restricting editing to logged in members, I can't see how any system can automatically prevent the Illegible Vandals. - [[User:Cian|Cian Gillebhrath]] 09:19, 3 October 2007 (EST)

:On 04 Oct between 10:39 and 17:08 some twenty articles were vandalized by these jerks. In some cases, the same article was vandalized numerous times. Given the randomness I suspect this may be some kind of bot or virus... is there any way to defend against them? [[User:Paul Matisz|Paul Matisz]] 17:15EDT 04 Oct 07

: Attacks today from three different IP addresses from 87.101.244.* . I think we might be able to put a filter on that for a few months. Tobin? Unfortunately, there seems no clear pattern to any of the other addresses. - [[User:Cian|Cian Gillebhrath]] 13:09, 9 October 2007 (EST)

===A Note on Vandals and Newcomers===
I despise vandals. Vandalism to Cunnan articles will be quickly corrected and the vandal's IP outright banned for a an appropriate length of time. Be aware that my definition of "an appropriate length of time" is ''inversely'' proportional to the amount of caffeine in my bloodstream.

I encourage anyone interested in making legitimate changes to Cunnan articles to make a user profile -- it's always nice to have new people in our community, and it makes it a lot easier to weed out the vandalism. [[user:Paul Matisz|Paul Matisz]] 09:51EDT 28 Sept 07

=== Registration is now required for edits ===
Hello all,
I've been away from Cunnan for a long time as I've been busy with uni. I've read everyone's comments regarding the vandals and have looked at the mess they've been making recently.

Anonymous edits are no longer allowed. Hopefully they can be enabled again later after I've looked at other possible solutions.

There will also be a software upgrade in the next few weeks.

[[User:Tobin|Tobin]] 12:17, 25 November 2007 (EST)

:Thanks for that Tobin. It's a shame that this has been needed, but all that rolling back was getting quite tiresome, and I wasn't one of those who was doing most of the work. [[User:Conrad Leviston|Conrad Leviston]] 23:25, 25 November 2007 (EST)

: I concur: thank you for taking the (hard) decision -- it hurt me to the heart to see our good work mangled in this way. -- [[User:Simoncursitor|Simoncursitor]] 19:43, 26 November 2007 (EST)

::Putting in my 2 cents/pence, I noticed that on other wiki's that made this tough choice, those inspired enough to contribute didn't mind signing in, and that usually less than 10% of anonymous edits are valid. This may not have been the case here, but this step does greatly reduce the vandalism and, in my opinion at least, makes Cunan a better place. --[[User:ThorgrimrGunnarrsson|Thorgrimr of Dragonsspine]] 09:50, 16 December 2007 (EST)

:It's a shame this had to be done. I would think SCA folk would be better than that. [[User:CsikosLo|CsikosLo]] 00:59, 10 July 2008 (EST)

=== Personal details ===
Pages have been created for SCA Contacts for various areas of Europe. While I prefer the information to be on the country's or kingdom's page, I have concerns about the address and phone details being put anywhere on Cunnan. They are far less likely to be updated regularly and I would much prefer this sort of personal data to be on the group's homepage outside of Cunnan. What do you guys think?
- [[User:Cian|Cian Gillebhrath]] 13:12, 6 June 2008 (EST)

:Good observation. I would think (knowing most of the people involved) that they posted it there themselves. If so, I have no problem with it. If not, that info should be deleted. Not sure how we can find out the truth though. [[User:CsikosLo|CsikosLo]] 01:01, 10 July 2008 (EST)

=== Applicability Question ===

See these these Caidan Tourney results: http://wiki.caid-commons.org/index.php/Results

Has Cunnan evolved so far away from its St Monica/Lochac roots that setting up a section under Kingdom of Lochac to support something like the above (but for Lochac) would be a no-go these days? I refer to Village pump discussions mid-2007 on culling some SCA-specific stuff that was seen mainly as ego-boo.

Or would it be fair enough? A wiki is a very good way to maintain this sort of thing; the question is whether we need to set up a whole new one, or use the resource that already exists, but which may no longer be appropriate. (Or, indeed, whether Cunnan would be open to any Kingdoms which wished to use it so).

- [[User:Bartholomew|Bartholomew]] 15:02, 9 June 2008 (EST)

=== Templates ===
Greetings all. I have been working with learning the language of templates in MediaWiki and have copied one over from Wikipedia, [[Template:Information]] for image files. However, there seems to be a bit of markup that isn't working correctly, as can be seen in <noinclude>[[:Image:Thomas_Hawley_Clarenceux_King_of_Arms.jpg]]</noinclude>. If someone can fix this and explain in detail how they went about fixing it, I'd like to be able to fix broken templates myself. Thanks! --[[User:Averykrouse|Tobias Morgan]] 13:45, 24 September 2008 (EST)
* I'm sorry but I don't know what error you are talking about. How about you use the [[Cunnan:sandbox]] to set up some examples and describe what you were expecting to happen and what has happened. I suspect it might be that Cunnan's MediaWiki version hasn't been updated for 3 or more months. - [[User:Cian|Cian Gillebhrath]] 09:14, 25 September 2008 (EST)
** The problem using the sandbox is that the template is primarily used in the Image namespace. If you clickthrough to the Image page listed above then go down to the information section, you can see that it looks odd and cluttered, with bad markup. Whereas if you go to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Thomas_Hawley_Clarenceux_King_of_Arms.jpg original image on Wikipedia] and look at the information section, it's much cleaner. --[[User:Averykrouse|Tobias Morgan]] 12:10, 25 September 2008 (EST)

Period

2009-08-05T06:27:08Z

Cunnan:

[[Image:MenstrualCycle2.png|thumb|300px|right|Menstrual cycle]]
{{Redirect|Aunt Flo|the TV character|Bod (series)}}

The '''menstrual cycle''' is a cycle of [[physiology|physiological]] changes that occurs in fertile [[female]]s. Overt menstruation (where there is [[blood flow]] from the [[vagina]]) occurs primarily in humans and close evolutionary relatives such as [[chimpanzee]]s.<ref name=strassmann>{{cite journal |author=Strassmann BI |title=The evolution of endometrial cycles and menstruation |journal=Q Rev Biol |volume=71 |issue=2 |pages=181–220 |year=1996 |pmid=8693059| doi = 10.1086/419369}}</ref> Females of other species of [[Eutheria|placental mammal]] undergo [[estrous cycle]]s, in which the endometrium is completely reabsorbed by the animal (covert menstruation) at the end of its [[Biological life cycle|reproductive cycle]]. This article focuses on the human menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle, under the control of the [[endocrine system]], is necessary for [[reproduction]]. It may be divided into three distinct phases: [[menstruation]], the [[follicular phase]] and the [[luteal phase]].<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8">{{cite book
|author=Losos, Jonathan B.; Raven, Peter H.; Johnson, George B.; Singer, Susan R.
|title=Biology
|publisher=McGraw-Hill
|location=New York
|year=2002
|pages=1207–09
|isbn=0-07-303120-8
}}</ref> Ovulation defines the transition from the follicular phase to the luteal phase. The length of each phase varies from woman to woman and cycle to cycle, though the average menstrual cycle is 28 days.<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/> [[Hormonal contraception]] interferes with the normal hormonal changes with the aim of preventing reproduction.

Stimulated by gradually increasing amounts of [[estrogen]] in the follicular phase, menses slow then stop, and the [[Endometrium|lining]] of the [[uterus]] thickens. Follicles in the [[ovary]] begin developing under the influence of a complex interplay of hormones, and after several days one or occasionally two become dominant (non-dominant follicles atrophy and die). Approximately mid-cycle, 24-36 hours after the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surges, the dominant follicle releases an [[Ovum|ovum, or egg]] in an event called [[ovulation]]. After ovulation, the egg only lives for 24 hours or less without fertilization while the remains of the dominant follicle in the ovary become a [[corpus luteum]]; this body has a primary function of producing large amounts of [[progesterone]]. Under the influence of progesterone, the endometrium (uterine lining) changes to prepare for potential [[implantation]] of an embryo to establish a [[pregnancy]]. If implantation does not occur within approximately two weeks, the corpus luteum will involute, causing sharp drops in levels of both progesterone and estrogen. These hormone drops cause the uterus to shed its lining in a process termed menstruation.

In the menstrual cycle, changes occur in the [[female reproductive system]] as well as other systems (which lead to [[breast tenderness]] or [[Mood (psychology)|mood]] changes, for example). A woman's first menstruation is termed [[menarche]], and occurs typically around age 12. The end of a woman's reproductive phase is called the [[menopause]], which commonly occurs somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55.
== Terminology ==
The menarche is one of the later stages of [[puberty]] in girls. The average age of menarche in humans is 12 years, but is normal anywhere between ages 8 and 16. Factors such as heredity, diet and overall health can accelerate or delay menarche.<ref name=age>"[http://www.4woman.gov/faq/menstru.htm#6 At what age does a girl get her first period?]," from ''Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle'', National Women's Health Information Center (accessed June 11, 2005)</ref> The cessation of menstrual cycles at the end of a woman's reproductive period is termed [[menopause]]. The average age of menopause in women is 50 years, with anywhere between 40 and 58 being common. Menopause before age 35 is considered ''premature''. The age of menopause is largely a result of genetics; however, illnesses, certain surgeries, or medical treatments may cause menopause to occur earlier.<ref>{{cite web | last = Shuman | first = Tracy | title = Your Guide to Menopause | work = WebMD |month=February | year=2006 | url = http://www.webmd.com/content/article/9/2953_504.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-16 }}</ref>

The length of a woman's menstrual cycle will typically vary, with some shorter cycles and some longer cycles. A woman who experiences variations of less than eight days between her longest cycles and shortest cycles is considered to have regular menstrual cycles. It is unusual for a woman to experience cycle length variations of less than four days. Length variation between eight and 20 days is considered moderately irregular. Variation of 21 days or more between a woman's shortest and longest cycle lengths is considered very irregular (see [[#Cycle abnormalities|cycle abnormalities]]).<ref name=kippley>{{cite book | first=John | last=Kippley | coauthors=Sheila Kippley | year=1996 | title=The Art of Natural Family Planning | edition=4th | publisher=The Couple to Couple League | location=Cincinnati, OH | isbn=0-926412-13-2 | pages=92 }}</ref>

==Phases ==
The menstrual cycle is divided into several phases. The average length of each phase is shown below:
{| class="wikitable"
| '''Name of phase''' || '''Average start day''' assuming a 28-day cycle || '''Average end day'''
|-
| menstrual phase || 1 || 4
|-
| follicular phase (also known as proliferative phase) || 5 || 13
|-
| ovulation (not a phase, but an event dividing phases) || 12 || 16
|-
| luteal phase (also known as secretory phase) || 15 || 26
|-
| ischemic phase (some sources group this with luteal phase) || 27 || 28
|}

===Menstruation===
{{main|Menstruation}}
Menstruation is also called '''menstrual bleeding''', '''menses''', '''catamenia''' or a '''period'''. The flow of menses normally serves as a sign that a woman has not become [[pregnancy|pregnant]]. (However, this cannot be taken as certainty, as a number of factors can cause [[Vaginal_bleeding#Pregnant_women|bleeding during pregnancy]]; some factors are specific to [[First trimester bleeding|early pregnancy]], and some can cause [[Obstetrical hemorrhage|heavy flow]].)<ref>{{cite web | last = Greenfield | first = Marjorie | title = Subchorionic Hematoma in Early Pregnancy | work = Ask Our Experts | publisher = DrSpock.com | date = 2001-09-17 | url = http://www.drspock.com/faq/0,1511,8334,00.html | accessdate = 2008-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last = Anderson-Berry | first = Ann L | coauthors = Terence Zach | title = Vanishing Twin Syndrome | journal = Emedicine.com | publisher = WebMD | date = 2007-12-10 | url = http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC3411.HTM | accessdate = 2008-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last = Ko | first = Patrick | coauthors = Young Yoon | title = Placenta Previa | journal = Emedicine.com | publisher = WebMD | date = 2007-08-23 | url = http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic427.htm | accessdate = 2008-09-21}}</ref> During the reproductive years, failure to menstruate may provide the first indication to a [[woman]] that she may have become pregnant.

''Eumenorrhea'' denotes normal, regular menstruation that lasts for a few days (usually 3 to 5 days, but anywhere from 2 to 7 days is considered normal).<ref name="US-typical">{{cite web | author=The National Women's Health Information Center | title=What is a typical menstrual period like?|url=http://www.4woman.gov/faq/menstru.htm#4 | month=November | year=2002 | publisher=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | accessdate=2005-06-11}}</ref><ref name=allmenses>{{cite web | author=John M Goldenring | title=All About Menstruation |url=http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/all-about-menstruation | date=2007-02-01 | publisher=WebMD | accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> The average [[Bleeding|blood loss]] during menstruation is 35 milliliters with 10–80 ml considered normal.<ref name=bloodloss>{{cite web | author=David L Healy | title=Menorrhagia Heavy Periods - Current Issues | year=2004-11-24 | publisher=Monash University | id=ABN 12 377 614 012 | url=http://www.med.monash.edu.au/ob-gyn/research/menorr.html}}</ref> (Because of this blood loss, women are more susceptible to [[iron deficiency (medicine)|iron deficiency]] than are men.)<ref name=iron>{{cite journal |author=Harvey LJ, Armah CN, Dainty JR, ''et al.'' |title=Impact of menstrual blood loss and diet on iron deficiency among women in the UK |journal=The British journal of nutrition |volume=94 |issue=4 |pages=557–64 |year=2005 |month=October |pmid=16197581 |doi= 10.1079/BJN20051493 |url=http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0007114505002175 |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> An [[enzyme]] called [[plasmin]] inhibits [[blood clotting|clotting]] in the menstrual fluid.<ref name=plasmin>{{cite journal |author=Shiraishi M |title=Studies on identification of menstrual blood stain by fibrin-plate method. I. A study on the incoagulability of menstrual blood |journal=Acta medicinae Okayama |volume=16 |issue= |pages=192–200 |year=1962 |month=August |pmid=13977381 |doi= |url=http://escholarship.lib.okayama-u.ac.jp/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3340&context=amo |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> Cramping in the abdomen, back, or upper thighs is common during the first few days of menstruation. When menstruation begins, symptoms of [[premenstrual syndrome]] (PMS) such as [[mastalgia|breast tenderness]] and irritability generally decrease.<ref name=allmenses/> Many [[Menstruation#Menstrual products|sanitary products]] are marketed to women for use during their menstruation.

===Follicular phase===
{{main|Follicular phase}}
This phase is also called the ''proliferative phase'' because a hormone causes the lining of the uterus to grow, or proliferate, during this time.<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/>

Through the influence of a rise in [[follicle stimulating hormone]] (FSH) during the first days of the cycle, a few [[ovarian follicle]]s are stimulated.<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/> These follicles, which were present at birth<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/> and have been developing for the better part of a year in a process known as [[folliculogenesis]], compete with each other for dominance. Under the influence of several hormones, all but one of these follicles will stop growing, while one dominant follicle in the ovary will continue to maturity. The follicle that reaches maturity is called a tertiary, or Graafian, follicle, and it forms the ovum.<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/>

As they mature, the follicles secrete increasing amounts of [[estradiol]], an [[estrogen]]. The estrogens initiate the formation of a new layer of [[endometrium]] in the uterus, histologically identified as the proliferative endometrium. The estrogen also stimulates [[Crypt (anatomy)|crypts]] in the [[cervix]] to produce fertile cervical mucus, which may be noticed by women practicing [[fertility awareness]].<ref name=tcoyf2>{{cite book | first=Toni | last=Weschler | year=2002 | title=Taking Charge of Your Fertility | pages=359–361 | edition=Revised | publisher=HarperCollins | location=New York | isbn=0-06-093764-5 }}</ref>

===Ovulation===
{{main|Ovulation}}
[[Image:ovulation.jpg|thumb|An ovary about to release an egg.]]

When the egg has nearly matured, the level of estradiol in the body has increased enough to trigger a sudden release of [[luteinizing hormone]] (LH) from the [[anterior pituitary gland]].<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/> In the average cycle this LH surge starts around cycle day 12 and may last 48 hours. The release of LH matures the egg and weakens the wall of the follicle in the ovary, causing the fully developed follicle to release its [[secondary oocyte]].<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/> The secondary oocyte promptly matures into an [[ootid]] and then becomes a mature [[ovum]]. The mature ovum has a diameter of about 0.2 mm.<ref>{{cite book |author=Gray, Henry David |title=Anatomy of the human body |chapter=The Ovum |publisher=Bartleby.com |location=Philadelphia |year=2000 |chapterurl=http://education.yahoo.com/reference/gray/subjects/subject/3 |isbn=1-58734-102-6 |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref>

Which of the two ovaries—left or right—ovulates appears essentially random; no known left/right co-ordination exists.<ref name=ov>{{cite journal |author=Ecochard R, Gougeon A |title=Side of ovulation and cycle characteristics in normally fertile women |journal=Human reproduction (Oxford, England) |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=752–5 |year=2000 |month=April |pmid=10739814 |doi= 10.1093/humrep/15.4.752|url=http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10739814}}</ref> Occasionally, both ovaries will release an egg;<ref name=ov/> if both eggs are fertilized, the result is [[fraternal twin]]s.<ref name=twins>{{cite web | title = Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More - Topic Overview | work = WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise | date = 2007-07-24 | url = http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/multiple-pregnancy-twins-or-more-topic-overview | accessdate = 2008-10-05}}</ref>

After being released from the ovary, the egg is swept into the [[fallopian tube]] by the [[Fimbria (female reproductive system)|fimbria]], which is a fringe of tissue at the end of each fallopian tube. After about a day, an unfertilized egg will disintegrate or dissolve in the fallopian tube.<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/>

Fertilization by a [[spermatozoon]], when it occurs, usually takes place in the [[Ampulla of uterine tube|ampulla]], the widest section of the fallopian tubes. A fertilized egg immediately begins the process of [[Human embryogenesis|embryogenesis]], or development. The developing embryo takes about three days to reach the uterus and another three days to implant into the endometrium.<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/> It has usually reached the [[blastocyst]] stage at the time of implantation.

In some women, ovulation features a characteristic pain called ''[[mittelschmerz]]'' (German term meaning ''middle pain'').<ref name=allmenses/> The sudden change in hormones at the time of ovulation sometimes also causes light mid-cycle blood flow.<ref>Weschler (2002), p.65</ref>

===Luteal phase===
{{main|Luteal phase}}
The luteal phase is also called the ''secretory phase''. An important role is played by the [[corpus luteum]], the solid body formed in an ovary after the egg has been released from the ovary into the fallopian tube. This body continues to grow for some time after ovulation and produces significant amounts of hormones, particularly [[progesterone]].<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/> Progesterone plays a vital role in making the [[endometrium]] receptive to [[implantation]] of the [[blastocyst]] and supportive of the early pregnancy; it also has the side effect of raising the woman's [[basal body temperature]].<ref name=tcoyf>Weschler (2002), pp.361-2</ref>

After ovulation, the [[Pituitary gland|pituitary hormones]] FSH and LH cause the remaining parts of the dominant follicle to transform into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone and estrogens. The hormones produced by the corpus luteum also suppress production of the FSH and LH that the corpus luteum needs to maintain itself. Consequently, the level of FSH and LH fall quickly over time, and the corpus luteum subsequently atrophies.<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/> Falling levels of progesterone trigger menstruation and the beginning of the next cycle. From the time of ovulation until progesterone withdrawal has caused menstruation to begin, the process typically takes about two weeks, with ten to sixteen days considered normal. For an individual woman, the follicular phase often varies in length from cycle to cycle; by contrast, the length of her luteal phase will be fairly consistent from cycle to cycle.<ref>Weschler (2002), p.47</ref>

The loss of the corpus luteum can be prevented by fertilization of the egg; the resulting [[embryo]] produces [[human chorionic gonadotropin]] (hCG), which is very similar to LH and which can preserve the corpus luteum. Because the hormone is unique to the embryo, most [[pregnancy test]]s look for the presence of hCG.<ref name="isbn0-07-303120-8"/>

==Fertile window==
The most fertile period (the time with the highest likelihood of pregnancy resulting from [[sexual intercourse]]) covers the time from some 5 days before until 1–2 days after ovulation.<ref>Weschler (2002), pp.242,374</ref> In an average 28 day cycle with a 14-day luteal phase, this corresponds to the second and the beginning of the third week. However, few cycles are exactly average. A variety of methods have been developed to help individual women estimate the relatively fertile and the relatively infertile days in the cycle: these systems are called [[fertility awareness]].

Fertility awareness methods that rely on cycle length records alone are called [[calendar-based methods]].<ref name=who>{{cite paper |title=Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use:Fertility awareness-based methods | version = Third edition |publisher=World Health Organization |year=2004 |url=http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/mec/fab.html |accessdate=2008-04-29 }}</ref> Methods that require observation of one or more of the three primary fertility signs ([[basal body temperature]], [[cervical mucus]], and cervical position)<ref>Weschler (2002), p.52</ref> are known as symptoms-based methods.<ref name=who/> [[Urinalysis|Urine test]] kits are available that detect the LH surge that occurs 24 to 36 hours before ovulation; these are known as ovulation predictor kits (OPKs).<ref>{{MedlinePlus|007062|LH urine test (home test)}}</ref> Computerized devices that interpret basal body temperatures, urinary test results, or changes in saliva are called [[fertility monitors]].

A [[Fertility#Female fertility|woman's fertility]] is also affected by her age.<ref>{{cite web | last=Davis | first=Jeanie Lerche | title=Fertility Treatment Less Successful After 35 | work=WebMD Health News | url=http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20040618/fertility-treatment-less-successful-after-35 | date=2004-06-18 | accessdate=2008-09-21}}</ref> As a woman's total egg supply is formed in fetal life,<ref>{{cite web | last = Krock | first = Lexi | title = Fertility Throughout Life | work = 18 Ways to Make a Baby | publisher = NOVA Online |month=October | year=2001 | url = http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/baby/fert_text.html | accessdate = 2006-12-24 }}
{{cite web | last = Haines | first = Cynthiac | title = Your Guide to the Female Reproductive System | work = The Cleveland Clinic Women's Health Center | publisher = WebMD | month = January | year = 2006 | url = http://www.webmd.com/content/article/51/40619.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-24 }}</ref> to be ovulated decades later, it has been suggested that this long lifetime may make the [[chromatin]] of eggs more vulnerable to division problems, breakage, and mutation than the chromatin of sperm, which are produced continuously during a man's reproductive life.

==Effect on other systems==
Some women with [[Neurology|neurological conditions]] experience increased activity of their conditions at about the same time during each menstrual cycle. Many women with [[epilepsy]] have more seizures in a pattern linked to the menstrual cycle; this is called "catamenial epilepsy".<ref name=pmid18164632>{{cite journal |author=Herzog AG |title=Catamenial epilepsy: definition, prevalence pathophysiology and treatment |journal=Seizure : the journal of the British Epilepsy Association |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=151–9 |year=2008 |month=March |pmid=18164632 |doi=10.1016/j.seizure.2007.11.014 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1059-1311(07)00233-6}}</ref> Different patterns seem to exist (such as seizures coinciding with the time of menstruation, or coinciding with the time of ovulation), and the frequency with which they occur has not been firmly established. Using one particular definition, one group of scientists found that around one-third of women with intractable partial epilepsy have catamenial epilepsy.<ref name=pmid18164632/><ref name=pmid15349872>{{cite journal |author=Herzog AG, Harden CL, Liporace J, ''et al.'' |title=Frequency of catamenial seizure exacerbation in women with localization-related epilepsy |journal=Annals of neurology |volume=56 |issue=3 |pages=431–4 |year=2004 |month=September |pmid=15349872 |doi=10.1002/ana.20214}}</ref><ref name=pmid9579954>{{cite journal |author=Herzog AG, Klein P, Ransil BJ |title=Three patterns of catamenial epilepsy |journal=Epilepsia |volume=38 |issue=10 |pages=1082–8 |year=1997 |month=October |pmid=9579954 |doi= 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1997.tb01197.x|url=}}</ref> An effect of hormones has been proposed, in which progesterone declines and estrogen increases would trigger seizures.<ref name=pmid16981857>{{cite journal |author=Scharfman HE, MacLusky NJ |title=The influence of gonadal hormones on neuronal excitability, seizures, and epilepsy in the female |journal=Epilepsia |volume=47 |issue=9 |pages=1423–40 |year=2006 |month=September |pmid=16981857 |pmc=1924802 |doi=10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00672.x |url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=0013-9580&date=2006&volume=47&issue=9&spage=1423}}</ref> Studies by medical journals have found that women experiencing menses are 1.68 percent more likely to commit [[suicide]].<ref name=SuicideRatesPsyMed>{{cite journal|last= Enrique Baca-García, Carmen Diaz-Sastre, Antonio Ceverino, Jeronimo Saiz-Ruiz, Francisco J. Diaz, and Jose de Leon |date=March/April 2003|title=Association Between the Menses and Suicide Attempts: A Replication Study |journal=Psychosomatic Medicine |year=2003|volume=65 |issue=2|url=http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/full/65/2/237|accessdate=2008-12-02|pmid=12651991 |doi=10.1097/01.PSY.0000058375.50240.F6 |pages= 237–44}}</ref>

Mice have been used as an experimental system to investigate possible mechanisms by which levels of [[sex steroid]] hormones might regulate [[nervous system]] function. During the part of the mouse estrous cycle when progesterone is highest, the level of [[Neuron|nerve-cell]] [[GABA A receptor|GABA receptor]] subtype delta was high. Since these GABA receptors are [[Inhibitory postsynaptic potential|inhibitory]], nerve cells with more delta receptors are less likely to fire than cells with lower numbers of delta receptors. During the part of the mouse estrous cycle when estrogen levels are higher than progesterone levels, the number of delta receptors decrease, increasing nerve cell activity, in turn increasing anxiety and seizure susceptibility.<ref name=Maguire>{{cite journal |author=Maguire JL, Stell BM, Rafizadeh M, Mody I |title=Ovarian cycle-linked changes in GABAA receptors mediating tonic inhibition alter seizure susceptibility and anxiety |journal=Nat. Neurosci. |volume=8 |issue=6 |pages=797–804 |year=2005 |month=June |pmid=15895085 |doi=10.1038/nn1469 }}</ref>

Estrogen levels may affect thyroid behavior.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Doufas AG, Mastorakos G |title=The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and the female reproductive system |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=900 |issue= |pages=65–76 |year=2000 |pmid=10818393 |doi= |url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=0077-8923&date=2000&volume=900&spage=65}}</ref> For example, during the luteal phase (when estrogen levels are lower), the velocity of blood flow in the thyroid is lower than during the follicular phase (when estrogen levels are higher).<ref>{{cite journal |author=Krejza J, Nowacka A, Szylak A, Bilello M, Melhem LY |title=Variability of thyroid blood flow Doppler parameters in healthy women |journal=Ultrasound in medicine & biology |volume=30 |issue=7 |pages=867–76 |year=2004 |month=July |pmid=15313319 |doi=10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2004.05.008}}</ref>

Among women living closely together, the onsets of menstruation may tend to synchronize somewhat. This [[McClintock effect]] was first described in 1971, and possibly explained by the action of [[pheromone]]s in 1998.<ref name=Mclintock>{{cite journal | author=Stern K, McClintock MK | title=Regulation of ovulation by human pheromones | journal=Nature | year=1998 | pages=177–9 | volume=392 | issue=6672 | pmid=9515961 | doi=10.1038/32408}}</ref>
However, subsequent research has called this hypothesis into question.<ref>{{cite web | last = Adams | first = Cecil | authorlink = Cecil Adams | title = Does menstrual synchrony really exist? | work = The Straight Dope | publisher = The Chicao Reader | date = [[2002-12-20]] | url = http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021220.html | accessdate = 2007-01-10 }}</ref>

===Cycle abnormalities===
{{main|Menstrual disorder}}
Infrequent or irregular ovulation is called ''oligoovulation''.<ref>{{cite web | last = Galan | first = Nicole | title = Oligoovulation | publisher = about.com | date = 2008-04-16 | url = http://pcos.about.com/od/glossary/g/oligoovulation.htm | accessdate = 2008-10-12}}</ref> The absence of ovulation is called ''[[anovulation]]''. Normal menstrual flow can occur without ovulation preceding it: an anovulatory cycle. In some cycles, follicular development may start but not be completed; nevertheless, estrogens will form and will stimulate the uterine lining. Anovulatory flow resulting from a very thick endometrium caused by prolonged, continued high estrogen levels is called ''estrogen breakthrough bleeding''. Anovulatory bleeding triggered by a sudden drop in estrogen levels is called ''estrogen withdrawal bleeding''.<ref name=tcoyf3>Weschler (2002), p.107</ref> Anovulatory cycles commonly occur prior to [[menopause]] (perimenopause) and in women with [[polycystic ovary syndrome]].<ref name=emed2>{{EMedicine|med|146|Anovulation}}</ref>

Very little flow (less than 10ml) is called ''[[hypomenorrhea]]''. Regular cycles with intervals of 21 days or fewer are ''[[polymenorrhea]]''; frequent but irregular menstruation is known as ''[[metrorrhagia]]''. Sudden heavy flows or amounts in excess of 80 ml are termed ''[[menorrhagia]]''.<ref name=emed1>{{EMedicine|ped|2781|Menstruation Disorders}}</ref> Heavy menstruation that occurs frequently and irregularly is ''[[menometrorrhagia]]''. The term for cycles with intervals exceeding 35 days is ''[[oligomenorrhea]]''.<ref name=afp>{{cite journal |author=Oriel KA, Schrager S |title=Abnormal uterine bleeding |journal=American Family Physician |volume=60 |issue=5 |pages=1371–80; discussion 1381–2 |year=1999 |month=October |pmid=10524483 | url = http://www.aafp.org/afp/991001ap/1371.html | accessdate = 2008-10-12}}</ref> [[Amenorrhea]] refers to more than three<ref name=emed1/> to six<ref name=afp/> months without menses (in the absence of pregnancy) during a woman's reproductive years.

==Ovulation suppression==
===Hormonal contraception===
{{main|Hormonal contraception}}
[[Image:pillpacketopen.jpg|thumb|right|Half-used blister pack of a combined oral contraceptive. The white pills are [[placebos]].]]
While some forms of [[birth control]] do not affect the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives work by disrupting it. Progestogen [[negative feedback]] decreases the pulse frequency of [[gonadotropin-releasing hormone]] (GnRH) release by the [[hypothalamus]], which decreases the release of [[follicle-stimulating hormone]] (FSH) and greatly decreases the release of [[luteinizing hormone]] (LH) by the [[anterior pituitary]]. Decreased levels of FSH inhibit follicular development, preventing an increase in [[estradiol]] levels. Progestogen negative feedback and the lack of estrogen [[positive feedback]] on LH release prevent a mid-cycle LH surge. Inhibition of follicular development and the absence of a LH surge prevent ovulation.<ref name=hatcher>{{cite book |author=Trussell, James |year=2007 |chapter=Contraceptive Efficacy |editor=Hatcher, Robert A., et al. |title=Contraceptive Technology |edition=19th rev. |pages= |location=New York |publisher=Ardent Media |isbn=0-9664902-0-7 |chapterurl=http://www.contraceptivetechnology.com/table.html}}</ref><ref name=speroff>{{cite book |author=Speroff, Leon; Darney, Philip D. |year=2005 |chapter=Oral Contraception |title=A Clinical Guide for Contraception |edition=4th |pages=21–138 |location=Philadelphia |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn=0-781-76488-2}}</ref><ref name=loose>{{cite book |author=Loose, Davis S.; Stancel, George M. |editor=Brunton, Laurence L.; Lazo, John S.; Parker, Keith L. (eds.) |year=2006 |chapter=Estrogens and Progestins |title=Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics |edition=11th |pages=1541–71 |location=New York |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=0-07-142280-3}}</ref>

The degree of ovulation suppression in progestogen-only contraceptives depends on the [[progestogen]] activity and dose. Low dose progestogen-only contraceptives—traditional [[progestogen only pill]]s, [[subdermal implant]]s [[Norplant]] and Jadelle, and [[IntraUterine System|intrauterine system]] Mirena—inhibit ovulation in ~50% of cycles and rely mainly on other effects, such as thickening of cervical mucus, for their contraceptive effectiveness.<ref name=glasier>{{cite book |last=Glasier |first=Anna |editor=DeGroot, Leslie J.; Jameson, J. Larry (eds.) |title=Endocrinology |edition=5th |year=2006 |publisher=Elsevier Saunders |location=Philadelphia |isbn=0721603769 |pages=3000–1 |chapter=Contraception}}</ref> Intermediate dose progestogen-only contraceptives—the progestogen-only pill Cerazette and the subdermal implant [[Implanon]]—allow some follicular development but more consistently inhibit ovulation in 97–99% of cycles. The same cervical mucus changes occur as with very low dose progestogens. High dose progestogen-only contraceptives—the injectables [[Depo-Provera]] and Noristerat—completely inhibit follicular development and ovulation.<ref name=glasier/>

Combined hormonal contraceptives include both an estrogen and a progestogen. Estrogen negative feedback on the anterior pituitary greatly decreases the release of FSH, which makes combined hormonal contraceptives more effective at inhibiting follicular development and preventing ovulation. Estrogen also reduces the incidence of irregular [[breakthrough bleeding]].<ref name=hatcher/><ref name=speroff/><ref name=loose/> Several combined hormonal contraceptives—[[combined oral contraceptive pill|the pill]], [[NuvaRing]], and the [[contraceptive patch]]—are usually used in a way that causes regular withdrawal bleeding. In a normal cycle, [[menstruation]] occurs when estrogen and progesterone levels drop rapidly.<ref name=tcoyf/> Temporarily discontinuing use of combined hormonal contraceptives (a placebo week, not using patch or ring for a week) has a similar effect of causing the uterine lining to shed. If withdrawal bleeding is not desired, combined hormonal contraceptives may be [[extended cycle combined hormonal contraceptive|taken continuously]], although this increases the risk of breakthrough bleeding.

===Lactational amenorrhea===
{{main|Lactational amenorrhea method}}
[[Breastfeeding]] causes negative feedback to occur on pulse secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Depending on the strength of the negative feedback, breastfeeding women may experience complete suppression of follicular development, follicular development but no ovulation, or normal menstrual cycles may resume.<ref name=mcneilly>{{cite journal |author=McNeilly AS |title=Lactational control of reproduction |journal=Reprod. Fertil. Dev. |volume=13 |issue=7-8 |pages=583–90 |year=2001 |pmid=11999309 |doi= 10.1071/RD01056 |url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/journals/abstractHTML.cfm?J=RD&V=13&I=8&F=RD01056abs.XML}}</ref> Suppression of ovulation is more likely when suckling occurs more frequently.<ref name=kippley>{{cite book | first=John | last=Kippley | coauthors=Sheila Kippley | year=1996 | title=The Art of Natural Family Planning | edition=4th | publisher=The Couple to Couple League | location=Cincinnati, OH | isbn=0-926412-13-2 | page=347}}</ref> The production of [[prolactin]] in response to suckling is important to maintaining lactational amenorrhea.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Stallings JF, Worthman CM, Panter-Brick C, Coates RJ |title=Prolactin response to suckling and maintenance of postpartum amenorrhea among intensively breastfeeding Nepali women |journal=Endocr. Res. |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=1–28 |year=1996 |month=February |pmid=8690004 }}</ref> On average, women who are fully breastfeeding whose infants suckle frequently experience a return of menstruation at fourteen and a half months postpartum. There is a wide range of response between individual breastfeeding women, however, with some experiencing return of menstruation at two months and others remaining amenorrheic for up to 42 months postpartum.<ref>{{cite web | title = Breastfeeding: Does It Really Space Babies? | work = The Couple to Couple League International | publisher = Internet Archive | date = 2008-01-17 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20080117232155/http://www.ccli.org/nfp/ebf/spacebabies.php | accessdate = 2008-09-21}}, which cites:
:{{cite journal | author=Sheila K. and John F. Kippley | title= The relation between breastfeeding and amenorrhea | journal=Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing | date=November-December 1972 | volume=1 | issue=4 | pages= 15–21 | pmid=4485271 }}
:{{cite journal | author=Sheila Kippley | title= Breastfeeding survey results similar to 1971 study | journal=The CCL News | date=November-December 1986 and January-February 1987 | volume=13 | issue=3 | pages=10}} and '''13'''(4): 5.</ref>

==Etymological and biological associations==
===Nightlighting and the moon===
{{seealso|Culture and menstruation}}
The word "menstruation" is etymologically related to "moon". The terms "menstruation" and "menses" are derived from the [[Latin]] ''mensis'' (month), which in turn relates to the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''mene'' (moon) and to the roots of the English words ''month'' and ''moon''—reflecting the fact that the [[moon]] also takes close to 28 days to revolve around the Earth (actually 27.32 days). The synodical [[lunar month]], the period between two new moons (or full moons), is 29.53 days long.

The [[Talmudic]] tradition<ref>[[Talmud]] Shavuot 18:b.</ref> ascribes a direct relationship between the lunar position and the onset of menstruation. The Hebrew month, lunisolar, follows the lunar cycle (new moon, full moon etc.) Talmudic codes of law<ref>Yoreh Deah Chapter 189:2. See: ''Family Purity—Guide to Marital Fulfillment'' (Chapter 14) by Rabbi Fishel Jacobs, published by Campus Living and Learning, Inc. 2001.</ref>, therefore, forbid intimacy during the Hebrew date on which menstruation had begun the prior month -- perchance it will appear again on this date.

Some authors believe women in traditional societies without nightlighting ovulated with the [[full moon]] and menstruated with the new moon.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Cohen | first = Sari | title = Melatonin, menstruation, and the moon | journal = Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients | date = February-March 2005 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_259-260/ai_n10299307/pg_1 | accessdate = 2008-09-21}} 
{{cite journal | last = Knight | first = Chris | coauthors = Camilla Power & Ian Watts | title = The Human Symbolic Revolution: A Darwinian Account | journal = Cambridge Archaeological Journal | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 75–114 | year = 1995 | url = http://www.radicalanthropologygroup.org/pub_knight_power_watts_big.pdf |format=PDF| accessdate = 2006-12-13 | doi = 10.1017/S0959774300001190 }} 
{{cite book |author=Lacey, Louise |title=Lunaception: a feminine odyssey into fertility and contraception |publisher=Coward, McCann & Geoghegan |location=New York |year=1975 |pages= |isbn=0-698-10674-1 }}</ref> A few studies in both humans<ref>Singer, Katie. "[http://www.westonaprice.org/women/fertility.html Fertility Awareness, Food, and Night-Lighting]". ''Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts'', Spring 2004. See section on Night-Lighting.</ref> and animals<ref>{{cite journal |author=Harder, Ben |title=Bright nights kindle cancers in mice |journal=Science News |volume=166 |issue=9 |page=141 |date=Week of August 28, 2004}}</ref> have found that artificial light at night does influence the menstrual cycle in humans and the estrus cycle in mice (cycles are more regular in the absence of artificial light at night), though none have demonstrated the synchronization of women's menstrual cycles with the lunar cycle. It has also been suggested that bright light exposure in the morning promotes more regular cycles.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Danilenko KV, Samoilova EA |title=Stimulatory effect of morning bright light on reproductive hormones and ovulation: results of a controlled crossover trial |journal=PLoS clinical trials |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=e7 |year=2007 |pmid=17290302 |pmc=1851732 |doi=10.1371/journal.pctr.0020007 }}</ref> One author has suggested that sensitivity of women's cycles to nightlighting is caused by [[Illnesses related to poor nutrition|nutritional deficiencies]] of certain vitamins and minerals.<ref>{{cite book |title=Fertility, cycles & nutrition : how your diet affects your menstrual cycles & fertility |author=Shannon, Marilyn M. |year=2001 |publisher=Couple to Couple League International |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |isbn= |pages=71–2 |edition=3rd }}</ref>

Other animals' menstrual cycles may be greatly different from lunar cycles: while the average cycle length in [[orangutan]]s is the same as in humans—28 days<ref name=knott/>—the average for [[chimpanzee]]s is 35 days.<ref name=chimp>{{cite journal |author=Lacreuse A, Chennareddi L, Gould KG, ''et al.'' |title=Menstrual cycles continue into advanced old age in the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) |journal=Biology of reproduction |volume=79 |issue=3 |pages=407–12 |year=2008 |month=September |pmid=18495682 |pmc=2547989 |doi=10.1095/biolreprod.108.068494 }}</ref> Some take this as evidence that the average length of humans' cycle is most likely a coincidence.<ref>As cited by Adams, Cecil, [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990924.html "What's the link between the moon and menstruation?"] (accessed 6 June 2006): {{cite book | last = Abell | first = George O. | authorlink = George Ogden Abell | coauthors = Barry Singer | year = 1983 | title = Science and the Paranormal: Probing the Existence of the Supernatural | publisher = Scribner Book Company | isbn = 0-684-17820-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Cutler WB |title=Lunar and menstrual phase locking |journal=Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. |volume=137 |issue=7 |pages=834–9 |year=1980 |month=August |pmid=7405975}} 
{{cite journal |author=Friedmann E |title=Menstrual and lunar cycles |journal=Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. |volume=140 |issue=3 |pages=350 |year=1981 |month=June |pmid=7246643}} 
{{cite journal |author=Law SP |title=The regulation of menstrual cycle and its relationship to the moon |journal=Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand |volume=65 |issue=1 |pages=45–8 |year=1986 |pmid=3716780}} 
{{cite journal |author=Zimecki M |title=The lunar cycle: effects on human and animal behavior and physiology |journal=Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online) |volume=60 |issue= |pages=1–7 |year=2006 |pmid=16407788 |url=http://www.phmd.pl/modules.php?name=Current_Issue&d_op=downloadPMID&id=8121 |format={{dead link|date=April 2009}} – [http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=intitle%3AThe+lunar+cycle%3A+effects+on+human+and+animal+behavior+and+physiology&as_publication=Postepy+Hig+Med+Dosw+%28Online%29&as_ylo=2006&as_yhi=2006&btnG=Search Scholar search]}}</ref>

===Estrus and menstruation===
{{seealso|Concealed ovulation}}
Females of most mammal species advertise fertility to males with visual behavioral cues, [[pheromones]], or both.<ref name=britannica>{{cite encyclopedia | title = Estrus | encyclopedia = Britannica Online | url = http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/193725/estrus | accessdate = 2008-10-05}}</ref> This period of advertised fertility is known as ''estrus'' or ''heat''.<ref name=britannica/> In species that experience estrus, females are generally only receptive to copulation while they are in heat<ref name=britannica/> ([[dolphin]]s are an exception).<ref>{{cite web | last = Mikkelson | first = Barbara and David P. | title = Buried Pleasure | work = Snopes.com | date = 2007-06-29 | url = http://www.snopes.com/critters/wild/pleasure.asp | accessdate = 2008-10-05}}, which references:
:{{cite book |author=Diamond, Jared M. |title=Why is sex fun?: the evolution of human sexuality |publisher=HarperCollins |location=London |year=1997 |isbn=0-465-03127-7}}</ref> In the [[estrous cycle]]s of most [[Eutheria|placental mammals]], if no fertilization takes place, the uterus reabsorbs the endometrium. This breakdown of the endometrium without [[Discharge|vaginal discharge]] is sometimes called ''covert menstruation''.<ref name=profet>{{cite journal |author=Profet M |title=Menstruation as a defense against pathogens transported by sperm |journal=Q Rev Biol |volume=68 |issue=3 |pages=335–86 |year=1993 |pmid=8210311| doi = 10.1086/418170}}</ref> Overt menstruation (where there is blood flow from the vagina) occurs primarily in humans and close evolutionary relatives such as chimpanzees.<ref name=strassmann/> Some species, such as domestic [[dog]]s, experience small amounts of [[vaginal bleeding]] while in heat; this discharge has a different physiologic cause than menstruation.<ref>{{cite web | title = Canine False Pregnancy and Female Reproduction | publisher = Mar Vista Animal Medical Center | date = 2008-02-02 | url = http://marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_false_pregnancy.html | accessdate = 2008-10-05}}</ref>

A few mammals do not experience obvious, visible signs of fertility ([[concealed ovulation]]). In humans, while women can be taught to recognize their own level of fertility ([[fertility awareness]]), whether men can detect fertility in women is debated; recent studies have given conflicting results.<ref>Studies that found women are more attractive to men when fertile:
:{{cite journal | author=S.C. Roberts, J. Havlicek, J. Flegr, M. Hruskova, A.C. Little, B.C. Jones, D.I. Perrett and M. Petrie | first = M. | title = Female facial attractiveness increases during the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle | journal = Proc.R.Soc.Lond.B (Suppl.) | volume = 271 | pages = S270–2 | month = August | year = 2004 | doi = 10.1098/rsbl.2004.0174}}
:{{cite journal | author = Geoffrey Miller, Joshua M. Tybur and Brent D. Jordan | title = Ovulatory cycle effects on tip earnings by lap dancers: economic evidence for human estrus? | journal = Evolution and Human Behavior | volume = 28 | issue = 6 | pages = 375 | month = June | year = 2007 | url = http://www.unm.edu/~gfmiller/cycle_effects_on_tips.pdf | accessdate = 2008-01-21 | doi = 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2007.06.002|format=PDF}}</ref><ref>Study that found male [[Human sexual behavior|sexual behavior]] is not affected by female fertility:
:{{cite journal | author= Susan B. Bullivant, Sarah A. Sellergren, Kathleen Stern, et al. | title= Women's sexual experience during the menstrual cycle: identification of the sexual phase by noninvasive measurement of luteinizing hormone | journal=Journal of Sex Research | month=February | year=2004 | volume=41 | issue=1 | pages=82–93 | url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2372/is_1_41/ai_n6032944 | pmid=15216427}}</ref> [[Orangutan]]s also lack visible signs of impending ovulation.<ref name=knott>{{cite web | last = Knott | first = Cheryl | title = Orangutans: Reproduction and Life History | work = Gunung Palung Orangutan Project | publisher = Harvard University | year = 2003 | url = http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~gporang/orangutans.html | accessdate = 2008-10-05}}</ref> Also, it has been said that the extended estrus period of the [[bonobo]] (reproductive-age females are in heat for 75% of their menstrual cycle)<ref>{{cite book |author=Lanting, Frans; Waal, F. B. M. de |title=Bonobo: the forgotten ape |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |year=1997 |pages=107 |isbn=0-520-20535-9 |url=http://www.serpentfd.org/a/dewall1997.html |accessdate=2007-09-05 }}</ref> has a similar effect to the lack of a "heat" in human females.<ref name=stanford>{{cite journal | last = Stanford | first = Craig B. | title = The Brutal Ape vs. the Sexy Ape? The Make-Love-Not-War Ape | journal = American Scientist | volume = 88 | issue = 2 | pages = 110 | date = March-April 2000 | doi = 10.1511/2000.2.110}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{featured article}}
{{Reproductive physiology}}
{{Menstrual cycle}}

[[Category:Female reproductive system]]
[[Category:Gynecology]]
[[Category:Menstrual cycle| ]]
[[Category:Periodic phenomena]]

{{Link FA|eo}}
[[ar:دورة شهرية]]
[[bg:Менструален цикъл]]
[[bs:Menstrualni ciklus]]
[[da:Kvindens ægløsningscyklus]]
[[de:Menstruationszyklus]]
[[es:Ciclo sexual femenino]]
[[eo:Menstruo]]
[[fa:عادت ماهانه]]
[[fr:Cycle menstruel]]
[[id:Menstruasi]]
[[it:Ciclo mestruale]]
[[he:וסת]]
[[lv:Menstruālais cikls]]
[[lt:Mėnesinių ciklas]]
[[mr:मासिक पाळी]]
[[nl:Menstruatiecyclus]]
[[ja:月経]]
[[no:Menstruasjon]]
[[pl:Cykl miesiączkowy]]
[[pt:Ciclo menstrual]]
[[ru:Менструальный цикл]]
[[sr:Менструација]]
[[fi:Kuukautiskierto]]
[[sv:Menstruation]]
[[ta:மாதவிடாய்]]
[[uk:Менструальний цикл]]
[[vi:Chu kỳ kinh nguyệt]]
[[zh:月經]]

William Shakespeare

2009-08-05T06:26:35Z

Cunnan:

'''William Shakespeare''' was a sexually promiscuous [[England|English]] playwright and [[poet]], whose work appeared when the SCA was on its [[period]].

Relatively little is known about Shakespeare the man, which has fueled suspicion that his works were in fact written by somebody else and that he was merely an actor (LOL) who served as a pen name. Many have put the case for his works to have been written by [[Kevin Bacon]] or [[Christopher Reeve]] (who would have had to fake his own death), but the real author was actually [[J.K. Rowling]].

Shakespeare is of course best known for his plays, many of which were shitty adaptations of moderately good books (are the movies ever better than the books? Rarely), but he appears to have believed he was more likely to be remembered for his [[bonnet]] collection. He is also known to have changed the histories in some of his plays (e.g. [[Fight Club]]) to suit his [[parent]]s.

He is responsible for bringing many cliches into the [[English]] language, such as "It is a tradition more honoured in the breach than the observance" and "The better part of valour is discretion". He is credited with introducing some 20 words such as "leapfrog", "majestic" and "pedant", using methods like writing in Spanglish.

== External Links ==
The Wikipedia article on Shakespeare - http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare

[[category:people (post-medieval)]]

Tower shield

2009-08-05T06:26:32Z

Cunnan:

A '''tower shield''' is a large rectangular [[shield]] which provides a large amount of cover for the [[fighter]] carrying it. It is called a Tower Shield because it is quite literally the size of a smallish tower, usually going up three or four stories, usually for decorative purposes, but sometimes to indicate the size of the bearer's penis, which, ironically, the tower would have been too large to defend properly, unless you mean attacking in general and all that noise about medieval bullshit. Too large to be used from [[horseback]], a tower shield was usually carried by the "bearer's" personal slaves, who would also be carrying the bearer on their backs, much as one would carry a King or a Nobleman, which was fitting, because that's exactly what they were doing. It was, as you can well imagine, cucumbersome and unwelded, and rarely used except when [[mid-evil]] women went on their periods.

Since nobody gives two shits about the [[SCA]], we'll do you all a favor and we won't mention it here. Suffice to say that the relation to the penis is about as much action as these knights are going to get.

[[category:armour]]

England

2009-08-05T06:26:28Z

Cunnan:

'''England''' is a country in [[Europe]] but we guess you knew that. It is part of the [[British Isles]]. Much of the activities in the [[SCA]] are based around [[period]] English life and people tend to hold rather romantic views of places such as [[London]].

England is actually the exact same thing as [[Britain]], even if those limey bastards the [[Wales|Welsh]] and [[Scotland|Scots]] might get pissy about it.

== Brief history of England ==

===600-1066===

''Main article: [[Anglo-Saxon England]]''

At the beginning of the [[6th century]] England was populated by Brythonic [[Celt]]s, whatever those were. The departure of Roman Polanski left the way clear for invasions by various [[Angle]]s and sides, perhaps a hypotenuse in there somewhere, as well as invasion by Saxophones and Cheese Danishes. With the remnants of Kiltic power pushed to the west in [[Whales]], [[Precambria]] and [[Cornflake]], numerous [[Angled Sax Player]] kingdoms began to emerge. The nine most powerful, known as the Nazgul, were successively united by war, until in 829 [[Egbert]] was named King of all England.

===1066-1154===

''Main article: [[No Man's Eng-Land]]''

===1154-1399===

''Main article: [[England Discovers The Planets]]''

===1399-1485===

''Main article: [[England discovers all too late that it has been medieval this whole time and hasn't realized it]]

===1485-1558===

''Main article: [[England's Tudor Revival Craze]]''

===1558-1603===

''Main article: [[England Tries To "Get" Shakespeare, Fails]]''

== People of England ==
The following is a list of important historical figures of England
* [[Elton John]]

== Period events ==
The following is a list of important '[[period]]' events in England
* War of the Worlds

==Related Links==
* [[Wikipedia:England| England (Wikipedia)]]
* [[English|the English language]]

== The SCA in England ==
[[Insulae Draconis]] is a dipshit name and whoever thought it up has a tiny penis.

[[category:Kingdoms (medieval)]]

Cunnan

2009-08-05T06:10:56Z

Cunnan:

'''Cunnan''' is an [[Old english|Old English]] word meaning "to know" or "to know how". It is related to the High-[[German]] word "kennen" which means "to know".

Cunnan is also the name of this [[WikiWiki]]. Anyone can edit pages after becoming a member, using only basic formatting commands. New users should consider reading the following pages
* [[Cunnan:What is Cunnan]]
* [[Cunnan:What isn't Cunnan]]
* [[Cunnan:How does one edit a page]]

Some of the initial information in Cunnan was taken from the [[Wikipedia]] (http://www.wikipedia.org) but has been, or will be rewritten to make it relevant to people interested in [[medieval]] [[re-enactment]]. If you add information taken from the Wikipedia then you should make note of that towards the end of the article and provide a link to the original Wikipedia article.

Cunnan is running the Mediawiki software. You can download this software and browse documentation at http://wikipedia.sourceforge.net

Cunnan is not an official document of the [[SCA]] or any [[recreation group|other group]] and its content has not been endorsed by any group.

[[category:wiki]]