Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| menstruación | /menstɾwaˈθjon/ /menstɾwaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| regla | /ˈreɡla/ | feminine |
| achaque (disused) | masculine | |
| periodo | /peˈɾjodo/ | masculine |
| chinto | /ˈt͡ʃinto/ | masculine |
| menstruo | /ˈmenstɾwo/ | masculine |
| período | /peˈɾiodo/ | masculine |
| mes | /ˈmes/ | masculine |
| [en sus] días | masculine, plural |
The most common and formal way to say "menstruation" in Spanish is menstruación. la regla can be used in informal settings as a go-to term for menstruation. el periodo is an informal term for menstruation and is an abbreviation of "el periodo menstrual."
Which one should you use?
menstruación is the formal, medical or technical term for the biological process. In everyday conversation, regla is the most common way to refer to a menstrual period. período is a neutral term that can be used in both medical and casual contexts, similar to the English word 'period'. The phrase [en sus] días is a common euphemism used to avoid saying the word menstruación or regla directly.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, estar con los días is an informal way to refer to menstruation.
How does it change in a sentence?
regla is a feminine noun. período is a masculine noun. Both menstruación and regla are feminine. The terms periodo, mes, chinto, menstruo and achaque are masculine, though achaque is disused.
How do you pronounce it?
/menstɾwaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- The common term regla shares its DNA with the English word 'rule'. It comes from the Latin 'regula', which originally referred to a straight stick used to draw lines or a standard of measurement.
- While regla is a very common way to say 'period' in Spanish, it is also the word for a 'ruler' used in geometry class.
- The word mes, which literally means 'month', can be used to refer to a menstrual cycle in certain contexts, reflecting the cyclical nature of the period.
Examples in context
- El salario es como la menstruación. Llega cada mes pero solo dura una semana.A paycheque is like menstruation. It comes once a month but only lasts a week.This sentence uses menstruación to illustrate a comparison between a paycheque and menstruation.Tatoeba #3528632 by wallebot, translation #3530205 by adamtrousers
- Me encuentro en mi período de menstruación.I am in my menstruation period.
- La regla llegó puntual este mes.My menstruation arrived on time this month.
- Chicas, no puedo ir a nadar hoy porque estoy con la regla.Girls, I can't go swimming today because I'm on my period.
- Estoy en mi periodo, así que estoy sensible estos días.I'm on my period, so I'm feeling sensitive these days.
- Estar con los días no es siempre fácil.Being on your period is not always easy.
- Es importante hablar abiertamente sobre la menstruación.It's important to openly talk about menstruation.
- Me dolió mucho la regla este mes.My period hurt a lot this month.
- La menstruación puede ser muy dolorosa.Menstruation can be very painful.
- Ella lleva un registro de su menstruación.She keeps a record of her menstruation.
Example conversation
Lucía is explaining her symptoms to Alejandro.
- LucíaMe siento muy cansada hoy, Alejandro.I feel very tired today, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Estás enferma o es por otra cosa?Are you sick or is it something else?
- LucíaEs solo el inicio de mi menstruación.It is just the start of my menstruation.
- AlejandroEntiendo, ¿quieres que te traiga un té?I understand, do you want me to bring you some tea?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “menstruation” translations and entries menstruación, regla, periodo, chinto, menstruo, período, mes, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries achaque, menstruación, regla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
