Glossary of Terms

ADENOMYOSIS - A condition in which the uterine lining grows into the uterine muscle. A common cause of heavy menstrual periods. If severe, hysterectomy is required.

AMENORRHEA - The absence of menstrual periods.

ANOREXIA ­ Conscious under-eating during which one becomes extremely underweight. Includes cessation of periods and dangerous levels of stress on heart and other organs. Often associated with depression and an inability to rationally see one?s body as others do.

ANOVULATION - Lack of egg production.

BARTHOLIN?S GLAND - Small glands found at 4 o?clock and 8 o?clock positions at the vaginal opening. May form small cysts or abscesses, usually on one side only. When infected require drainage.

BICORNUATE UTERUS - A birth abnormality in which there are two uterine cavities.

CHOCOLATE CYST - Endometriosis of the ovary. See endometriosis

CLOMIPHENE - A drug prescribed to stimulate egg production by the ovaries.

COLPOSCOPY - A painless examination performed after an abnormal Pap smear in which vaginal and cervical tissue is viewed under magnification. See Abnormal Pap smear, colposcopy.

CONDYLOMA ­ Commonly known as vaginal warts, this sexually transmitted condition, a result of a virus, presents with wart-like growths usually found on the outside of the vagina. May also occur in the vagina and in the cervix. May be associated with an abnormal Pap smear. Can be treated by the applicaiton of a chemical or LASER.

CYSTOCELE - A condition in which the bladder sags into the vagina, often causing urinary leakage. Common in women after childbirth. When severe requires a bladder repair.

CYSTITIS ­ A common infection of the bladder.

DERMOID - A common but benign tumor of the ovary which, because it is formed from cells that would ultimately become part of a human body, contains structures such as skin, teeth and hair.

D & C (Dilation and Curettage) - A procedure during which the uterine cavity is scraped. Helpful in diagnosing the cause of abnormal menstrual bleeding. (see conditions and treatment)

DYSMENORRHEA - Painful menstrual periods. Common in adolescence. In adult women often a sign of endometriosis.

DYSPAREUNIA - Painful intercourse. May be related to vaginal infection or endometriosis.

DYSPLASIA - A precancerous process on the cervix, generally diagnosed with a Pap smear.

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY - An abnormal pregnancy in which an embryo implants in the Fallopian tube rather than the uterus. Occasionally will cause a rupture, which is treated as a medical emergency. Early diagnosis achieved via pregnancy tests and ultrasound.

ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION - A nonhormonal, minor surgical procedure for heavy periods, during which a device is inserted into the uterine cavity to destroy the uterine lining. (see conditions and treatment)

ENDOMETRIOSIS - A condition in which the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus; typically on uterine ligaments and ovaries. Symptoms include pelvic pain, severe menstrual cramping, pain with intercourse and infertility. There are many types of treatment.

ENTEROCELE - A hernia at the top of the vagina.

ESTROGEN - Primary female hormone, responsible for the gender characteristics of a woman

FIBRO CYSTIC CHANGE - Noncancerous matting and cyst formation in breast tissue.

HERPES - A sexually transmitted infection, caused by a virus, characterized by painful blisters on the outside of the vagina.

HYDATIDIFORM MOLE - An rare complication of pregnancy in which the uterine cavity fills with a grape-like mass. Associated with a positive pregnancy test; occasionally precancerous.

HYMEN - A ring of tissue around the vaginal opening, present at birth.

HYSTERECTOMY - Removal of the uterus, either through an abdominal incision or through the vagina. Sometimes associated with ovarian removal. (see conditions and treatment)

HYSTEROSCOPY - a test in which the uterine cavity is inspected through a scope. (see conditions and treatment)

HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM - An x-ray during which contrast material is injected through the cervix to determine if Fallopian tubes are open and functional. (see conditions and treatment)

INFERTILITY - Inability to become pregnant, even with adequate sexual exposure. Commonly caused by closure of the Fallopian tubes, infrequent production of eggs, or partners with an abnormal sperm analysis.

INSEMINATION ­ A fertility treatment during which treated sperm is placed in the cervix or uterine cavity. (see conditions and treatment)

LABIA - The lips of the vaginal opening.

LAPAROSCOPY - An operation often used to diagnose pelvic pain or infertility, in which reproductive organs are viewed through a telescope surgically inserted through the belly button. (see conditions and treatment)

LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) - An outpatient operation during which dysplasia of the cervix is removed. (see conditions and treatment)

MASTODYNIA - breast pain

MENARCHE - The start of a woman?s menstrual life.

MENOPAUSE - The natural cessation of menstrual periods. Commonly occurs in women near the age of 50. Common symptoms are hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Often treated by hormone replacement therapy.

MYOMECTOMY - Removal of a uterine fibroid without hysterectomy.

OOPHORECTOMY - Surgical removal of one or both ovaries. (see conditions and treatment)

OSTEOPENIA - Early signs of osteoporosis.

OSTEOPOROSIS - Thinning of the bones or loss of bone density, causing an increased risk of fracture.

OVARIAN CYST - A fluid-filled growth on the surface of the ovary. This common finding usually disappears within one or two menstrual cycles. Persistent or large cysts should be evaluated by ultrasound and often must be surgically removed.

OVULATION ­ The mid-cycle time of a woman?s monthly menstrual cycle, when eggs are produced.

PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE - A sexually transmitted infection of the internal reproductive organs; common causes are gonorrhea and chlamydia.

PERI-MENOPAUSE - The beginning stages of menopause during which a woman?s cycle become more erratic, and the onset of symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats occur.

PERINEUM - The area between the back of the vagina and the rectum.

PESSARY - A device worn in the vagina to prevent protrusion or incontinence.

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE - A common condition noted by excess body hair, obesity and lack of menstrual periods; often includes enlarged ovaries.

POLYP - A small benign growth found on the cervix or in the uterine cavity.

PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY - The early onset of menstrual bleeding in a child.

PROGESTERONE - A female hormone secreted in the second half of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation.

PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER ­ A more severe form of PMS.

PROLAPSE - Weakness and protrusion of the vaginal tissues caused by tearing of the muscles and tissues during childbirth. May require vaginal reconstructive surgery. (see conditions and treatment)

RECTOCELE - A condition in which the rectum bulges forward into the vagina, often resulting in trapping stool in the bulge and thus causing constipation. When severe requires rectocele repair.

RETROVERTED UTERUS - Backward tipping of the uterus toward the rectum. A normal finding, though sometimes related to painful intercourse, painful periods, and endometriosis.

SEMEN ANALYSIS - A sperm test to determine numbers and motility of sperm.

STERILIZATION - A permanent surgical procedure - tubal ligation in the female; vasectomy in the male - to make pregnancy impossible.

STRESS INCONTINENCE - Urine leakage caused by coughing, laughing, or sneezing.

TESTOSTERONE - The major male hormone, present in women in small amounts, and sometimes prescribed to improve sexual desire.

TRICHOMONAS - A vaginal infection associated with a yellow, often malodorous, discharge.

TUBAL LIGATION ­ A surgical procedure, usually laparoscopic, in which cauterization obstructs the Fallopian.

URETHRA ­ The tube leading from the bladder to the urinary opening.

URGENCY ­ A last minute or immediate sense of needing to urinate, sometimes resulting in leakage. Treated with medicine and not surgery.

UTERINE PROLAPSE ­ A weakening of the uterine supports, which can result in the uterus falling low into the vagina and occassionally outside the vagina.

VAGINAL INFECTIONS - Infections of the vagina that do not involve internal reproductive organs.

VAGINAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY ­ An inpatient procedure to correct vaginal protrusion and incontinence. (see conditions and procedures)

VAGINOSIS - Bacterial infection of the vagina.

VULVA - The outside of the vagina.

VULVAR DYSTROPHY - White discoloration of the outside of the vagina, occasionally a precancerous symptom.

WOMEN?S HEALTH INITIATIVE (WHI) - An important medical study suggesting some risk regarding the use of hormone replacement therapy. Remains unconfirmed and controversial.

YEAST INFECTION - The most common vaginal infection. Symptoms include itching, burning, and a cottage cheese-like discharge.

© 2010 Allen Gregg South, M.D.