Anesthesia: Relief of pain by loss of sensation.
Aura: A sensation or feeling experienced just before the onset of certain disorders like migraine attacks or epileptic seizures. These sensations may be flashing lights, a particular smell, dizziness, or seeing spots.
Bone Loss: The gradual loss of calcium and protein from bone, making it brittle and more likely to break.
Breakthrough Bleeding: Vaginal bleeding that happens in between regular periods.
Cardiovascular Disease: Disease of the heart and blood vessels.
Cervix: The lower, narrow end of the uterus at the top of the vagina.
Cesarean Birth: Birth of a fetus from the uterus through an incision (cut) made in the woman’s abdomen.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A condition in which a blood clot forms in veins in the leg or other areas of the body.
Depression: Feelings of sadness for periods of at least 2 weeks.
Egg: The female reproductive cell made in and released from ovaries. Also called the ovum.
Estrogen: A female hormone produced in the ovaries.
Fallopian Tubes: Tubes through which an egg travels from the ovary to the uterus.
Fertilization: A multistep process that joins the egg and the sperm.
High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure above the normal level. Also called hypertension.
Hormones: Substances made in the body that control the function of cells or organs.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): A virus that attacks certain cells of the body’s immune system. If left untreated, HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): A temporary method of birth control that is based on the natural way the body prevents ovulation when a woman is breastfeeding.
Laparoscope: A thin, lighted telescope that is inserted through a small incision (cut) in the abdomen to view internal organs or to perform surgery.
Menstrual Period: The monthly shedding of blood and tissue from the uterus.
Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A doctor with special training and education in women’s health.
Ovulation: The time when an ovary releases an egg.
Postpartum: Related to the weeks following the birth of a child.
Progestin: A synthetic form of progesterone that is similar to the hormone made naturally by the body.
Sexual Intercourse: The act of the penis of the male entering the vagina of the female. Also called “having sex” or “making love.”
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs): Infections that are spread by sexual contact. Infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).
Sperm: A cell made in the male testicles that can fertilize a female egg.
Spermicide: Chemicals (creams, gels, foams) that inactivate sperm.
Uterus: A muscular organ in the female pelvis. During pregnancy, this organ holds and nourishes the fetus. Also called the womb.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): An infection in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, or urethra.
Vasectomy: A permanent birth control method for men. In this procedure, a portion of the tube that carries sperm is removed.
