[History of menstruation--an aspect of the medical history of the woman].

The understanding of menstruation as well as the image of women have much changed in the course of history. This development, as reflected by the views of the Old Testament (Leviticus), of Hippocrates and Aristoteles, its characterization in the books of Hildegard of Bingen and of Paracelsus, its description in the Renaissance and the 18th century, is followed up to our modern times.