Acanthosis nigricans
A disorder that causes darkening and thickening of the armpit and other body folds.
Acrochordons
Common benign skin growths that appear as small, raised, brown or skin-colored bumps; also called skin tags.
Amenorrhea
Absence of menstruation.
Androgens
Male sex hormones; for example, testosterone.
Antiandrogens
Substances that keep androgens (male sex hormones) from binding to proteins called androgen receptors. Preventing this binding blocks the effects of these hormones in the body.
Antibiotics
A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.
Antiretrovirals
Drugs that inhibit the ability of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other types of retroviruses to multiply in the body.
Asymptomatic
Having no signs or symptoms of disease.
Axilla
The underarm or armpit.
Bartholin’s glands
Glands that produce a thick mucus that maintains moisture in the vulva area; also referred to as the greater vestibular glands.
Bilateral
Affecting both the right and left sides of the body.
Cervicitis
Inflammation of the cervix.
Colposcope
A lighted magnifying instrument used to check the cervix, vagina, and vulva for signs of disease.
Colposcopy
A procedure in which a lighted, magnifying instrument called a colposcope is used to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva.
Contraception
The use of drugs, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy.
Douching
Washing the vagina with fluid.
Dysmenorrhea
Painful menstruation.
Dyspareunia
Genital pain before, during, or after intercourse.
Dysuria
Painful urination.
Endocrinology
A specialty in the field of medicine that focuses on the treatment of endocrine system disorders.
Endometriosis
A disease characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue found outside the uterus.
Endometritis
Inflammation of the endometrium.
Endometrium
The innermost layer of the uterus. It provides the site of implantation for a fertilized egg and sheds during menstruation if no egg is fertilized.
Endoscopy
A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body.
Fistula
An abnormal opening or passage between two organs or between an organ and the surface of the body.
Fornix
The superior portion of the vagina.
Gamete
A specialized sex cell carrying 23 chromosomes.
Gynecologist
A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the female reproductive organs.
Gynecology
A medical-surgical specialty concerned with the physiology and disorders primarily of the female genital tract, as well as female endocrinology and reproductive physiology.
Hirsutism
A condition in which women and children have excess coarse body hair of an adult male distribution pattern as a result of elevated androgen levels.
Homeostasis
The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living things.
Hysterectomy
Surgery to remove the uterus and, sometimes, the cervix.
Hysterosalpingogram
A radiographic image of the uterus and fallopian (uterine) tubes.
Hysteroscope
An endoscope used for examining the interior of the uterus.
Hysteroscopy
Endoscopic examination of the uterus.
Inferior
A position below or lower than another part of the body proper.
Intramuscular
Within or into muscle.
Laparoscopy
A procedure that uses a laparoscope, inserted through the abdominal wall, to examine the inside of the abdomen.
Leukorrhea
White discharge from the vagina.
Lumbago
Acute or chronic pain in the lumbar or sacral regions.
Mammography
The use of film or a computer to create a picture of the breast.
Mammogram
Radiographic image of the breast.
Mammoplasty
Surgical reconstruction of the breast, including both augmentation and reduction.
Mastalgia
Pain or discomfort in one or both breasts.
Mastectomy
The surgical procedure to remove all or part of a breast.
Mastitis
A condition in which breast tissue is inflamed.
Menarch
First menstruation in a pubertal female.
Menopause
The cessation of the menstrual cycle; is considered complete when a woman has not menstruated in a full year.
Menorrhagia
Excessive bleeding at menstruation.
Metrorrhagia
Excessive bleeding from the uterus not related to menstruation.
Oligomenorrhea
Abnormally infrequent menstruation.
Oocyte
Immature egg cell.
Oophorectomy
Surgery to remove one or both ovaries.
Oophoritis
Inflammation of the ovary.
Ovulation
Release of a secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells from an ovary.
Papanicolaou smear (Pap test)
A procedure in which a small brush is used to gently remove cells from the surface of the cervix and the area around it so they can be checked under a microscope for cervical cancer or cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.
Perimenopause
The transitional period before and after menopause wherein the menstrual cycle is irregular and hormone levels widely fluctuate.
Polyuria
Excessive urine production.
Prolapse
The protrusion of an organ or part of an organ into a natural or artificial orifice.
Proliferate
The ability to reproduce rapidly.
Puerperium
Time directly after childbirth.
Salpingectomy
Excision of one or both of the fallopian (uterine) tubes.
Salpingitis
Inflammation of a fallopian (uterine) tube.
Salpingo-oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the fallopian (uterine) tubes and ovaries.
Salpingostomy
Creation of an artificial opening in the fallopian (uterine) tube.
Speculum
An instrument used to widen an opening of the body to make it easier to look inside.
Superior
A position above or higher than another part of the body proper.
Trachelectomy
Excision of the cervix.
Tubal ligation
Surgical closure of the fallopian (uterine) tubes for sterilization.
Unilateral
Pertaining to one side.
Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra.
Vaginal
Pertaining to the vagina.
Vaginosis
Abnormal condition of the vagina.
Vulvectomy
Excision of the vulva.
Vulvovaginitis
Inflammation of the vulva and vagina.