Flowering

"Flowering" is the term used in polite conversation in the Seven Kingdoms to refer to menstruation. Alternatively, it is simply referred to as a woman "having her blood".

==In the books=-

Real-life medieval societies, upon which Westeros is based, did not possess a concept of "adolescence" as modern-day societies do. There was no concept of an intervening live-stage between childhood and adulthood. Thus as soon as a girl menstruated, she was considered a "woman", and could be married.

Due to rising standards of living and better nutritional standards in modern societies, the average age at which girls begin to menstruate has gradually shifted earlier over the past century or two. In medieval Europe, the age of first menstruation was anywhere from 12 to 15 years old, while in modern times, the average age is roughly 13 years old. In the books, Sansa is 12 years old in the second novel, but 14 years old in the corresponding section of the TV series (Season 2).

Menstruation is also alternatively referred to as "moonblood" in the books.

The polite term for an intact hymen is "maidenhead". Deflowering a virgin is said to be "taking her maidenhead".