Amenorrhea: the absence of periods. This state is normal before puberty, after menopause and during pregnancy and lactation.
Barrier contraceptive: a method of contraception provides a mechanical or chemical barrier between the sperm and the unfertilized ovum. Physical methods include condoms, diaphrams and caps; chemical contraception involves the use of spermicdes.
Birth control: a device or drug used to prevent pregnancy.
Cervix: opening to the uterus, on top of the vagina.
Corpus luteum: a small sac, which remains in the ovaries after the mature egg is expelled. The sac produces estrogen and progesterone.
Egg: a female reproductive cell stored in the ovaries from birth that carries genetic information. The ovary contains 100s of thousands of eggs.
Embryo: what the fertilized egg becomes after it is implanted in the uterus.
Endometrium: the inside walls or lining of the uterus, which contain proteins, nutrients and blood to support a developing embryo.
Estrogen: the female hormone that is responsible for sexual functioning, developing female characteristics and regulating the menstrual cycle.
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Fallopian tubes: the passageway from the ovaries to the uterus. It is the path through which the egg travels into the uterus.
Female cycle: the process that occurs every month and lasts for approximately 28 days with 4 distinct phases (preovulation, ovulation, postovulation and menstruation).
Fertilization: the process of the egg joining together with the sperm.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates the release of estrogen in the ovaries.
Hormone: various chemicals in your body that send messages to other areas throughout the body.
Lining of the uterus: also called the endometrium. It is the inside walls of the uterus, which contain proteins, nutrients and blood to support a developing embryo.
Luteinizing hormone (LH): a hormone that stimulates ovulation which is the release of an egg from the ovary.
Menopause: the last menstrual bleed marking the end of the woman’s reproductive life, usually at around age 51 years.
Menstruation: also called a period. It is the flow of blood which comes at the end of each menstrual cycle. It usually lasts for an average of 3-5 days.
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Osteoporosis: osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass and architectural deterioration of bone tissue.
Ovaries: the female organ that produces eggs and sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
Ovulation: the release of the mature egg from the ovary, occurring in the middle of the menstrual cycle, approximately 14 days before the next menstrual period starts.
PAP test: a test that is used to identify abnormal cell changes on uterine cervix and to screen for cervical cancer.
Penis: the male reproductive organ.
Perimenopause: the period of time around the menopause in which marked menstrual cycle changes occur, usually accompanied by hot flushes. It begins on a average several years before the menopause itself and signals the declining capacity of the ovaries to produce estrogen. The term is used until 12 months of amenorrhea have occured, after which a woman is said to be in the ‘postmenopause’.
Pituitary gland: a small gland at the base of the brain that controls and regulates the essential female sex hormones, namely FSH and LH. The gland stimulates egg maturation and ovulation in the monthly cycle.
Pregnancy: the nine-month period after fertilization, during which the embryo grows into a fetus and then into a fully formed human baby.
Progesterone: a type of hormone that prepares the endometrium for the possible implantation of a fertilized egg, toward the end of the monthly cycle. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone helps to support the developing embryo.
Progestogen: Any substance or artificial hormone that has the same effect as the natural hormone progesterone (see above), which is often used in contraceptive pills.
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Reproductive system: specific organs within men and women that regulate all sexual functioning.
Semen: the white fluid from a man’s penis that contains sperm.
Sex hormones: chemical messengers (such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone), which regulate sexual functioning and contribute to the biological differences between men and women.
Small sac: also called corpus luteum. It is a small sac, which remains in the ovaries after the mature egg is expelled. The sac produces estrogen and progesterone.
Sperm: a male reproductive cell that carries genetic information. If sperm contacts an egg after intercourse, fertilization can occur.
Synthetic hormones: a large group of chemical compounds or drugs that act as chemical messengers and have an effect similar to natural hormones.
Uterus: a pear-shaped organ lined with a layer of cells that respond to varying hormonal stimulation during the monthly female cycle. The uterus will grow and stretch to handle a developing baby.
Vagina: a female reproductive organ. It is the canal leading to the uterus.
Withdrawal bleed: similar to menstruation, a withdrawal bleed occurs in the seven days after three weeks of taking the Pill. Blood flow is often lighter than during natural menstruation.
Womb: also called uterus. It is a pear-shaped organ lined with a layer of cells that respond to varying hormonal stimulation during the monthly female cycle. The uterus will grow and stretch to handle a developing baby.
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