acute - when disease occurs soon after infection with obvious and sometimes serious symptoms
adjuvant therapy - during cancer treatment, additional or adjuvant treatment is given to destroy any cancer cells that may have spread. Adjuvant treatment is usually systemic, meaning a treatment that affects the entire body. This allows the treatment to attack cancerous cells wherever they are present. The most common example of adjuvant therapy is chemotherapy given after a tumour has been surgically removed.
anaesthetic - a drug used to prevent pain during surgery or other procedure
A general anaesthetic makes the person unconscious. A local anaesthetic numbs the area where the surgery is to be performed. Local anaesthetics may be combined with sedatives to make a person relax and sleepy but not unconscious.
anonymous testing site - a location designated by the Ontario Ministry of Health where doctors are exempt from reporting the identity of people having HIV tests to Public Health; you do not have to use your real name or produce a health card
antibiotics - drugs used to kill bacterial or fungal infections
antibody - a protein molecule made by the immune system that recognizes and attacks a specific invading germ
For example, an antibody that attacks skin bacteria will not respond to an infection with syphilis.
anus - asshole
asthma - a lung condition where the passages of the lungs narrow causing wheezing and breathing difficulties
bacteria - tiny one-celled creatures that reproduce by splitting in half
basal thermometer - a very accurate thermometer that measures a person's temperature to one tenth of a degree e.g. 36.8 degrees
bisexual - a person who is attracted to both men and women
black cohosh - herbal remedy from the plant Cimicfuga racemosa
A First Nations' therapy used to treat menopausal symptoms particularly hot flashes and mood disorders. Several small German studies have shown improvements in menopausal symptoms.
body fluids - fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, saliva
Contact with the body fluids of an infected person puts a person at risk of a number of serious sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and hepatitis.
Cesarean section - the surgical removal of an infant from the uterus when vaginal delivery is not possible
cervical ectropion (also know as cervical ectropian, erosion or eversion) - occurs when the junction where the cells of the vagina turn into the cells of the uterus hangs out into the vagina. It is very common, especially in younger women and those taking birth control pills. Cervical ectropion usually resolves naturally as the cervix matures, some times cervical ectropion may warrent a change in your birth control method.
cervical laceration - a tear in the cervix
cervical mucus - a sticky fluid which assists the movement of sperm through the cervix
chancre - a genital sore causes by syphilis infection
chasteberry - an herbal therapy from the plant Vitex agnus-castus used to treat pre-menstrual syndrome
One small trial of 36 women reported an improvement in both physical and psychological symptoms when using this product. Chasteberry may interfere with birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy.
chronic - a disease that continues over a long period of time and cannot be eliminated with treatment
chronic fatigue syndrome - a collection of symptoms including tiredness, weakness and muscle pain is called chronic fatigue syndrome; the cause of this condition is not known, although some suspect it is due to environmental sensitivities
cirrhosis - the scarring of the liver due to disease or inflammation
colposcopy - the use of an electronic device to examine the cervix for abnormal cells
common-law relationship - the legal term for the rights and responsibilities that apply between two people who have lived as spouses for a legally determined period of time (often one year) but who have not married
contraception - birth control, family planning
contraction - when muscles tense and shorten it is called a contraction; cramps are caused by muscle contractions
corpus luteum - the case around an ovum when it is still in the ovary
After the ovum has been released this case continues to produce hormones.
curette - a medical instrument with a loop-shaped end used to remove small bits of tissue from the uterus
dementia - severe memory loss and confusion
diabetes - a condition where the body does not breakdown sugar effectively
discharge - a fluid released from the vagina or other organ
Some vaginal discharge is normal and may be released when a woman is aroused. A lot of discharge or a discharge with an unusual odour may indicate an infection.
dysmenorrhea - difficult or painful periods
ectopic pregnancy - when an ovum is fertilized and begins to develop inside the Fallopian tubes; a dangerous condition that can be fatal to a woman if left untreated
ejaculation - the sudden and forceful release of fluids; this term is most often used to describe the release of semen when a man has an orgasm
embryo - the stage of pregnancy following the fertilization of the ovum but before internal organs begin to develop
endometrial cancer - cancer which begins as abnormal cells in the lining of the uterus
endometriosis - a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining is found outside of the uterus usually in the pelvic area; causes pelvic pain and may cause infertility
endometrium - the lining of the uterus that builds up during the menstrual cycle in order to nourish a fertilized ovum; it is shed during menstruation if fertilization doesn't occur
epididymitis - inflammation of the scrotum
episiotomy - a short cut made at the base of the vaginal opening to allow an infant to be born more easily
estrogen - a hormone that regulates the female menstrual cycle
evening primrose oil - oil from the plant Oethra biennis Evening primrose oil is used as an herbal treatment for a number of conditions including premenstrual syndrome. Widely used in Britain for this condition, small British studies have shown it is effective particularly in treating premenstrual irritability and depression. Naturopaths suggest four to six months of use are necessary to observe benefits.
fetus - a fertilized egg grows to form a fetus after seven or eight weeks of pregnancy
fibroid - an abnormal but non-cancerous growth of the muscle of the uterus
folic acid supplements - one of the B vitamins found in large amounts in spinach and liver
Supplements of this vitamin are recommended for all women intending to carry a pregnancy to term, but should be avoided by women undergoing a medical abortion.
foreplay - sexual touching and play in the early stages of arousal that makes a woman and her partner more excited
fungi - single-celled life forms that are larger than bacteria and have organelles (mini-organs) inside the cells
genital warts - bumpy growths in the moist areas in and around the genitals caused by the Human Papilloma Virus
G-spot - the area at the top of the vagina where the back of the clitoris meets the vaginal wall; stimulation of this area may cause female ejaculation
gynaecological - having to do with the female reproductive organs
hepatitis - inflammation of the liver due to bacterial or viral infection
heterosexual - a man or woman who is sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex
homophobia - fear of lesbians and gay men
hormones - chemical messengers that the body uses to send instructions from one part of the body to another
hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - supplements of the hormones which regulate the female reproductive system; these supplements may be taken during and after menopause to reduce the symtoms of menopause and the risk of some diseases such as osteoporosis
hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus
immune system - the integrated working of a number of the body's cells and organs to defend against infection
implant - when an egg attaches to the lining of the uterus
impotence - being unable to become sexually aroused; most often refers to a man's inability to have an erection
infertility - the inability to have children
intercourse - the penetration of the vagina with a penis
irritable bowel syndrome - a digestive disorder that causes cramping pain and diarrhea
jaundice - a symptom of liver disease that makes the skin and the eyes turn yellowish
Kegel exercises - exercises that may be used to strengthen the muscles surrounding the vagina; check out Kegel exercises in our A-Z Health Topics section for more information
lactobacilli - bacteria that normally live in the vagina and produce lactic acid, which makes the vagina somewhat acidic; this helps control the growth of other bacteria
laminaria - an absorbent material made of seaweed, which is inserted in the cervix where it absorbs water and swells - pushing open the cervix
laparoscopy - surgery done through a very small incision with the guidance of a telescope-like instrument called a laproscope
latex - a type of rubber used to make male condoms and other methods of birth control Some people, particularly health care providers, develop allergies to this substance and must avoid birth control methods that use it.
lesbian - a woman who is sexually attracted to other women
libido - interest in and desire for sex
lochia - vaginal bleeding that lasts for several days after the birth of a child
lubricant - any substances used to make the genitals slippery and ease sexual contact see What exactly is lube?
masturbation - touching one's own body for sexual pleasure
menopause - when a woman's periods have ceased for more than 12 months in a row
menstrual magnification - when an illness repeatedly becomes worse during the two weeks before a woman's period
Mittelschmerz - German for middle pain, this refers to slight pains or twinges that some woman feel when the ovulate
needle exchange - an organization that allows injection drug users to exchange used needles for clean ones in order to control infection
nervous system - the brain, nervous tissue in the spine and nerves that carry sensation throughout the body
obstetric care - the medical care pregnant women receive throughout their pregnancy and during delivery
oral sex - sexual activity where one person uses their mouth to stimulate the other's genitals
orgasm - the peak of sexual excitement when the muscles around the vagina contract in rapid pulses
outercourse - sexual play that does not involve putting the man's penis in the woman's vagina
Outercourse includes hugging and kissing, as well as massaging and stimulating one another's bodies and genitals with your hands and mouth and has a lower risk for pregnancy and infection than intercourse.
ova/ovum - eggs produced by a woman's ovaries (ovum means one egg, ova means more than one)
ovarian cancer - cancer which begins as abnormal cells in a woman's ovaries
ovulate/ovulation - the release of an egg from the ovary
Pap smear - a test which looks for abnormal cells on the cervix; these cells may be the first signs of cervical cancer
pelvic examination - another name for a vaginal examination; includes a physical examination of the uterus, vagina and Fallopian tubes as well as a Pap smear and sometimes a test for infection
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - irritation and swelling of the ovaries and Fallopian tubes; this is usually associated with a sexually-transmitted infection
peri-menopause - the period of time before menopause when a woman may experience symptoms such as hot flashes or irritability due to hormonal changes
polyurethane - a synthetic material which is used to make male and female condoms that do not cause allergic reactions in people with latex allergies
post-coital - after sexual intercourse has occurred
post-partum depression - a depression that occurs because of the hormonal changes that women experience after giving birth
pre-cum - small amounts of semen that may be released before a man ejaculates
progesterone - one of the hormones that regulated a woman's menstrual cycle
progestin - a synthetic form of progesterone
protozoa - single celled animals that are usually motile (can move from place to place)
psoriasis - a skin condition where patches of skin appear dry or scaly
puberty - when a girl or a boy becomes sexually mature; for a girl, when her periods begin
pubic hair - hair which grows around the genitals
scrotum - the sac of skin that holds the testicles
sex toys - any item used for sexual pleasure particularly for penetration of the vagina or anus; toys made specifically for sexual play often resemble a penis and are then called a dildo
sexual assault - any unwanted sexual contact or attention including name-calling or anything that makes a person feel bad about their sexual self or physical appearance
sexually-transmitted - infections that are passes from one person to another through sexual contact
sickle cell anemia - an inherited condition where a person's red blood cells are misshapen and less capable of carrying oxygen
spatula - a flat instrument with a specially shaped end designed to remove cells from the cervix; spatulas used for Pap smears are made of wood
speculum - an instrument that is used to hold the vagina open during a vaginal exam
spermicidal film - a spermicide which comes as a tiny sheet that can be inserted into the vagina; the sheet dissolves and the spermicide spreads through the vagina
SSRIs - Serotonin Selective Re-uptake Inhibitors are a group of anti-depressant drugs; Prozac is an example
stimulation - any activity which promotes sexual arousal
suppositories - medications designed to be inserted into the vagina or anus
testicles - organs inside the scrotum where sperm is produced
testosterone - a hormone which in men triggers the development of sperm and a masculine appearance; women's bodies also produce small amounts of testosterone which may be important to a woman's libido
toxic shock syndrome - a serious illness that may be due to toxins produced by bacteria in the vagina; click here for more information
ultrasound - a scanning technique that allows a technician to view the inside of the uterus and other internal organs
unprotected sex - sexual activity that happens without protection against pregnancy or sexually-transmitted infection; this may be unintentional, for example, when a condom breaks
urethra - the tube that carries urine out of the body; in men sperm also passes through this tube
urinary tract infection - infection of the urethra and the bladder
uterine lining - the tissue which lines the uterus and would nourish a fertilized egg in the event of pregnancy; it is shed as menstrual blood when pregnancy does not occur
vaccine - a substance which is used to trigger the immune system to react against a specific infection
vaginal examination - a physical examination of the vagina that may also include a Pap smear and a test for infections
vaginal moisturizers - commercial products that may be used by women to prevent vaginal dryness and the thinning of the vaginal wall during peri-menopause and menopause; these products are not designed for use as sexual lubricants
vas deferens - the tubes which carry sperm from the testicles to the penis
virus - an infecting particle that cannot reproduce on its own; a virus must take over a living cell to make copies of themselves
vulva - a woman's genital area including the labia, clitoris and vaginal opening
window period - the time after a person has been infected with a germ but before tests can show the infection is present; this term is most often used when talking about HIV which has a window period of up to three months following infection
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