XVIII Glossary

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB): A common gynecological condition that includes a variety of menstrual irregularities. (Chapter 18.2)

Alopecia: Hair loss on the scalp. (Chapter 18.18)

Amenorrhea: The absence of menstruation. It can be primary (when menstruation never begins) or secondary (when menstruation stops after previously occurring). (Chapter 18.3)

Anovulation: The complete absence of ovulation. (Chapter 18.14)

Assisted-reproductive technology (ART): Includes all fertility treatments in which either eggs or embryos are handled outside of the body. (Chapter 18.14)

Azoospermia: The complete absence of sperm cells. (Chapter 18.14)

Bartholin cyst: A fluid-filled lump that can develop in the Bartholin gland of the vulva. (Chapter 18.5)

Behavioral counseling: Teaches clients strategies to modify the way they think about their pain and techniques to modify their response to раiո. (Chapter 18.8)

Benign growths: Noncancerous growths that may or may not require medical treatment. (Chapter 18.5)

Biopsy: A small sample of the tumor is taken either by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or by core biopsy using ultrasound guidance. (Chapter 18.4)

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP): A condition characterized by persistent or recurrent pain in the pelvic area lasting for at least six months. (Chapter 18.7)

Complete molar pregnancy: The ovum is fertilized by a sperm, but the genetic material from the father is lost during conception. (Chapter 18.13)

Complex fibroadenoma: A noncancerous breast tumor that contains abnormal tissue changes, such as cysts, calcifications, or scar tissue. (Chapter 18.4)

Corpus luteum cysts: Form after the follicle breaks open and releases the ovum, but the empty follicle sac doesn’t shrink. (Chapter 18.15)

Cryoablation: A cryoprobe inserted into the tumor to freeze and destroy the tumor cells; is an alternative to surgery. (Chapter 18.4)

Cyclical mastalgia: Breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle that begins around the time of ovulation and resolves with menstruation. (Chapter 18.4)

Cystocele: Occurs when the bladder bulges into the anterior wall of the vagina. (Chapter 18.16)

Ductogram: Dye is injected into the leaking duct and an X-ray is taken to determine if a papilloma is present and causing the nipple discharge. (Chapter 18.4)

Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation that occurs in the absence of a physiologic cause. (Chapter 18.8)

Dyspareunia: Painful sexual intercourse. (Chapter 18.10, Chapter 18.17)

Endometrial ablation: A minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes or destroys the lining of the uterus to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. (Chapter 18.2)

Endometrial biopsy: A procedure in which a provider obtains a tissue sample of the lining of the uterus to assess for overgrowth of the endometrium. (Chapter 18.2)

Endometrial polyps: Also known as uterine polyps; overgrowths of endometrial glands that form a projection from the inner lining of the uterus. (Chapter 18.9)

Endometrioma: When the endometriosis tissue attaches to the ovary and forms a growth. (Chapter 18.15)

Endometriosis: A disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and scar tissue to form in the pelvic region, such as on the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, bladder, colon, and peritoneal lining. (Chapter 18.10)

Fibroadenomas: Painless, solid, noncancerous tumors found in breast tissue. (Chapter 18.4)

Fibrocystic breast changes: A common, non-cancerous condition that causes breast tissue to swell, become lumpy, or feel tender. (Chapter 18.4)

Fibroid: A benign, solid tumor that develops from the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus; also called a leioma. (Chapter 18.11)

Fistula: An abnormal connection between two surfaces in the body. (Chapter 18.12)

Follicle cysts: Often asymptomatic and spontaneously resolve in one to three months. (Chapter 18.15)

Galactorrhea: Milk production not related to pregnancy or breastfeeding. (Chapter 18.3, Chapter 18.4)

Gestational carrier: A woman who carries and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple; also known as a surrogate. (Chapter 18.14)

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD):  A general term for rare tumors that can develop during pregnancy when trophoblast cells, which normally support the fertilized egg, grow abnormally and form a tumor instead of a fetus. (Chapter 18.13)

Gonadotoxins: Toxins that can reduce the ability of the testes to make healthy, motile sperm cells. (Chapter 18.14)

Gynecomastia: Refers to increased breast gland tissue in males associated with a drop in testosterone levels compared to estrogen. (Chapter 18.4)

Heavy menstrual bleeding: Bleeding that soaks through one more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row, has clots the size of a quarter or larger, lasts more than seven days, and requires changing pads or tampons during the night. (Chapter 18.2)

Hirsutism: Excessive hair growth on unexpected areas. (Chapter 18.3, Chapter 18.18)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): A medical treatment where a person takes medication containing hormones to replace those that their body no longer produces in sufficient amounts. (Chapter 18.16, Chapter 18.17)

Hydatidiform mole: A rare, abnormal growth that occurs in the uterus during pregnancy; also called a molar pregnancy. (Chapter 18.13)

Hypergonadotropic hypoestrogenic anovulation: Type of anovulation associated with the natural aging process, as well as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI); ovarian failure before the age of 40. (Chapter 18.14)

Hypermenorrhea: Prolonged menstrual bleeding. (Chapter 18.2)

Hyperprolactinemic anovulation: Hyperprolactinemia (i.e., elevated serum prolactin levels) can lead to suppression of GnRH from the hypothalamus; low LH, which causes anovulation and amenorrhea; and poor progesterone secretion from the corpus luteum. (Chapter 18.14)

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadal anovulation: Decreased secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) suppresses the secretion of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland, causing low estrogen, poor follicular growth, and anovulation. (Chapter 18.14)

Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus. (Chapter 18.2, Chapter 18.11)

Hysteroscopy: A procedure that examines the inside of the uterus and cervix using a thin, lighted tube called a hysteroscope. (Chapter 18.2)

Infertility: The failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. (Chapter 18.14)

Intraductal papilloma: A benign tumor that grows inside the milk ducts of the breasts. (Chapter 18.4)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Also called artificial insemination; a procedure where specially prepared sperm are inserted into the woman’s uterus by the health care provider. (Chapter 18.14)

Kegel exercises: The client is instructed to squeeze the muscles of the pelvic floor and contract the muscles around the urethra, vagina, and rectum in an upward motion. (Chapter 18.16)

Lumpectomy: A surgical procedure to remove a breast tumor and some of the surrounding tissue. (Chapter 18.4)

Mammography: An X-ray procedure that uses low doses of radiation to examine the breast for cancer and other diseases. (Chapter 18.4)

Mastalgia: Breast pain that can be cyclical or noncyclical. (Chapter 18.4)

Menometrorrhagia: Excessive or prolonged uterine bleeding that occurs more frequently or irregularly than normal. (Chapter 18.2)

Menopause: 12 months of amenorrhea that typically occurs between ages 40 and 59, with the average age being 51 years old. (Chapter 18.17)

Menorrhagia: Excessive menstrual bleeding. (Chapter 18.2)

Metrorrhagia: Irregular menstrual cycles. (Chapter 18.2)

Mucous cysts: Also called Nabothian cysts; formed from mucus-producing tissue and typically do not require treatment unless they become very large. (Chapter 18.5)

Myomectomy: A surgical procedure that removes uterine fibroid(s) while leaving the uterus intact. (Chapter 18.2, Chapter 18.11)

Noncyclical mastalgia: Breast pain that does not vary with the menstrual cycle and is generally constantly present in one location. (Chapter 18.4)

Nonlactation mastitis: Breast tissue inflammation in a woman who is not breastfeeding, which may or may not be associated with an infection. (Chapter 18.4)

Normogonadotropic normoestrogenic anovulation: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common type of normogonadotropic normoestrogenic anovulation. (Chapter 18.14)

Oligoovulation: A pattern of irregular ovulation. (Chapter 18.14)

Oligospermia: A low sperm count. (Chapter 18.14)

Ovarian cyst: A blood- or fluid-filled sac found on or near the ovary. (Chapter 18.15)

Partial molar pregnancy: Two sperm fertilize a single egg, leading to an abnormal embryo with too many chromosomes. Some fetal tissue may develop, but it is not viable and there is abnormal placental tissue. (Chapter 18.13)

Pelvic floor disorders: Conditions that decrease the integrity of the pelvic muscular structures. (Chapter 18.16)

Periductal mastitis (PDM): Also known as mammary ductal ectasia; a chronic inflammation of the breast tissue. (Chapter 18.4)

Perimenopause: Menstrual irregularities attributed to fluctuating hormone levels that can last for months up to several years and ends when menses has ceased for 12 months. (Chapter 18.17)

Pessary: A device worn inside the vagina to provide support to the pelvic floor muscles and organs. (Chapter 18.16)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A common endocrine disorder characterized by hormonal imbalances that cause reproductive, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders with multiple symptoms that affect a woman’s health beyond their reproductive years. (Chapter 18.18)

Polypectomy: Removal of a polyp. (Chapter 18.9)

Postcoital bleeding: Minimal bleeding or spotting after sex. (Chapter 18.2)

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Similar to PMS but causes more severe symptoms of anger, mood swings, anxiety, and depression that affects an individual’s ability to function at work, school, or home. (Chapter 18.19)

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): A common, cyclical, and multifaceted disorder that occurs during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. (Chapter 18.19)

Primary amenorrhea: The absence of menarche by the age of 16 years. (Chapter 18.3)

Primary dysmenorrhea: Typical menstrual pain that occurs before or during a period and resolves within 12 to 72 hours of menstrual flow. (Chapter 18.8)

Primary infertility: When a pregnancy has never been achieved by a person. (Chapter 18.14)

Pseudogynecomastia: An increase in fat but not gland tissue in male breasts. (Chapter 18.4)

Rectocele: Occurs when the rectum bulges into the posterior wall of the vagina. (Chapter 18.16)

Rectovaginal fistula: An opening from the rectum to the vagina. (Chapter 18.12)

Retrograde ejaculation: The backward movement of semen into the bladder instead of being expelled from the urethra and can also contribute to a low sperm count. (Chapter 18.14)

Secondary amenorrhea: The absence of menstruation for three or more consecutive cycles in women who previously experienced regular menstrual cycles. (Chapter 18.3)

Secondary dysmenorrhea: Menstrual pain caused by an underlying condition such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or fibroids. (Chapter 18.8)

Secondary infertility: When at least one prior pregnancy has been achieved. (Chapter 18.14)

Sonohysterogram: An ultrasound scan that is performed after fluid is injected into the uterus through a tube placed through the vagina and cervix. (Chapter 18.2)

Spermatogenesis: The production of mature sperm cells. (Chapter 18.14)

Transgender men: People who identify as a male but were assigned female gender at birth. (Chapter 18.20)

Transvaginal ultrasound: A noninvasive imaging procedure that uses sound waves to create pictures of the pelvic organs. (Chapter 18.2)

Ultrasonography: Imaging of the breast helps to distinguish fluid-filled cysts from solid structures. (Chapter 18.4)

Urethrovaginal fistula: An opening between the urethra and the vagina. (Chapter 18.12)

Uterine artery embolization (UAE): A minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter to block blood flow to the uterus. (Chapter 18.2, Chapter 18.11)

Uterine prolapse: Occurs when the pelvic floor can no longer support the uterus, and the uterus descends into the vagina. (Chapter 18.16)

Vaginal fistula: An opening from the vagina to another anatomical structure. (Chapter 18.12)

Varicocele: A tortuous enlargement of the scrotal veins in the testicle. (Chapter 18.14)

Vasomotor symptoms: Commonly known as hot flashes and night sweats. (Chapter 18.17)

Vesicovaginal fistula: An opening between the bladder and the vagina. (Chapter 18.12)