Glossary

Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease that affects the glomeruli, the tiny filters in the kidneys that remove waste and fluid from the blood.

Celiac disease is a chronic immune disorder that affects about 1% of the world's population, but only 30% of them are properly diagnosed.

Portal hypertension is a condition that affects the blood flow to the liver. It occurs when there is increased pressure in the portal vein, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects more than just your joints.

Hyperlipidemia means that you have too much fat or lipids in your blood. These lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides, which are essential for many bodily functions, such as building cells, hormones, and energy.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurological disorder that occurs when the liver fails to remove toxins from the blood.

A screening test to detect cervical cancer and abnormal cervical cells.

A combination of physical and emotional symptoms before menstruation.

A cancer that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus.

An infection that can affect the female reproductive organs.

Noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause various symptoms.

A malignant tumor that develops in the breast tissue.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac within the ovary. Often they cause no symptoms. Occasionally they may produce bloating, lower abdominal pain, or lower back pain.

Endometriosis is a disease of the female reproductive system in which cells similar to those in the endometrium, the layer of tissue that normally covers the inside of the uterus, grow outside the uterus.

A group of rare tumors that develop in the uterus during pregnancy.

A genetic disorder in which a woman is born with partially or completely missing X chromosomes.

The formation of scar tissue within the uterus, often as a result of uterine surgery.

Vaginitis is a common condition that affects many women at some point in their lives. It is an inflammation or infection of the vagina or vulva, the external female genitalia.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and affects how your body uses sugar (glucose).

Ectopic pregnancy is a condition where a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a condition that affects women before the age of 40 when their ovaries stop functioning normally.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

A surgical method of permanent contraception, commonly known as "getting one's tubes tied."

A rare form of cancer that develops in the uterine muscle or connective tissue.

Abnormal growths in the ovaries, which can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

The absence of ovulation, leading to irregular or absent menstrual cycles.

Severe morning sickness during pregnancy, characterized by extreme nausea and vomiting.

Involuntary muscle spasms that can make penetration painful or impossible.

A rare but serious complication during childbirth where the uterine wall tears.

Excessive hair growth in women, often in a male pattern, such as on the face or chest.

When the walls of the vagina weaken, allowing the vaginal canal to protrude or bulge.

A chronic skin condition that affects the vulvar area, causing itching and discomfort.

Thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls, often associated with menopause.

High blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy.

A complication of fertility treatments, which can lead to abdominal discomfort and swelling.

A fluid-filled sac that can develop near the vaginal opening.

Assisted reproductive technologies and procedures used to help women and couples conceive, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Painful intercourse, often due to various underlying factors.

Cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium.

A condition where the cervix is weak and may open too early during pregnancy, potentially leading to preterm birth.

A range of conditions that can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding or irregular periods.

A hormonal disorder affecting women's reproductive health.

The monthly shedding of the uterine lining in women of reproductive age.

The physical and emotional symptoms that can occur during the transition to menopause, such as hot flashes and mood swings.

The growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy, including different trimesters and milestones.

Medical care and check-ups during pregnancy to monitor the health of both the mother and the developing fetus.

A physical examination of a woman's pelvic organs, including the cervix, uterus, and ovaries.

The fluid produced by the cervix that changes in consistency during the menstrual cycle and plays a role in fertility.

A test to determine whether a woman is pregnant by detecting the presence of the hormone hCG.

Normal secretions from the vagina that can change in consistency and color throughout the menstrual cycle.

The levels of various hormones in a woman's body, which can affect her reproductive health.

Pain in the lower abdomen before or during menstruation.

The paired female reproductive organs that produce eggs and hormones.

The release of an egg from the ovary during the menstrual cycle.

The lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

The monthly cycle of changes in the female reproductive system, including menstruation.

Amenorrhea is a condition that affects women of reproductive age. It means the absence of menstrual periods for more than three months in a row or the lack of periods by age 15.

Osteoporosis means "porous bones". It is a disease that reduces the density and quality of your bones, making them more fragile and likely to break.

Gynaecological cancer is a term that refers to any cancer that affects the female reproductive organs, such as the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina and vulva.

Mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing one or both breasts, partially or completely, to treat or prevent breast cancer.

Infertility is a condition that affects many couples who want to have a baby. It is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse.

If you are looking for a reliable, convenient, and long-lasting way to prevent pregnancy, you may want to consider an intrauterine device (IUD).

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects some women after giving birth.

Cervical dysplasia is a condition where abnormal cells grow on the surface of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Uterine prolapse is a condition that affects many women, especially after menopause or childbirth. It occurs when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments that support the uterus weaken and stretch, causing the uterus to slip down into or out of the vagina.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that boosts declining levels of oestrogen and progesterone in a person approaching menopause.

If you experience severe and frequent cramps and pain during your menstrual cycle, you may have dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful periods or menstrual cramps.

Vulvodynia is a chronic condition that causes pain in the vulva, the external part of the female genitalia.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.

An X-ray of the breast used for breast cancer screening.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is a term that describes abnormal bleeding from the uterus that is not related to any pelvic pathology, medications, systemic disease, or pregnancy.

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus, and sometimes the cervix and other reproductive organs.

Gynaecological laparoscopy is a surgical technique that allows doctors to examine and treat various conditions affecting the female reproductive organs, such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic infections.

An ovarian cystectomy is a surgical procedure that removes ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries.

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) is a rare condition that affects the development of male sexual characteristics in people who have a male genetic makeup (XY chromosomes).

Genital herpes is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects millions of people worldwide. It is caused by two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV): HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Ovarian hyperandrogenism is a condition in which the ovaries produce too much of the male sex hormones, called androgens.

Fertility preservation is the process of saving or protecting eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue so that a person can use them to have biological children in the future.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), abortion is "the deliberate interruption of an ongoing pregnancy by medical or surgical means."

Antenatal testing is a term that refers to various tests and procedures that are performed during pregnancy to monitor the health and well-being of the mother and the baby.

The first occurrence of menstruation in a girl, marking the onset of her reproductive years.

Ovarian teratomas are a rare type of tumour that develop from germ cells, which are the cells that give rise to the male and female reproductive systems.

Surgical removal of the uterus, sometimes done to treat various gynecological conditions.

A type of cancer that originates in the ovaries.

Any vaginal bleeding that occurs after a woman has gone through menopause, which can be a sign of underlying health issues.

Cancer that occurs on the external genitalia in women.

If you have ever experienced itching, burning, pain, or discharge in your vagina or vulva, you might have had vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), also known as a yeast infection.

Uterine septum is a congenital condition that affects the shape and size of the uterus. It occurs when the two tubes that form the uterus in the embryo do not fuse properly, leaving a wall of tissue that divides the uterine cavity into two parts.

Vulvar dermatitis is a common skin condition that affects the vulva, the external part of the female genitalia. It causes itching, irritation, inflammation, and sometimes pain in the vulvar area.

Uterine didelphys is a congenital abnormality that affects the development of the female reproductive system. It occurs when the two tubes that normally fuse together to form the uterus fail to do so, resulting in two separate uteruses.

Trichomoniasis, also known as trich, is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It can affect both men and women, but it is more prevalent in women.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and tissues in the body. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, causing inflammation and damage. SLE can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and other parts of the body.

Glycemic control is the term used to describe how well a person with diabetes manages their blood sugar levels. It is measured by a blood test called A1C, which shows the average blood sugar level over the past three months.

Cardiac rehab is a personalised program of education and exercise that can help you recover from your heart condition and improve your cardiovascular health.

Nephropathy is a medical term that means kidney disease or damage. The kidneys are vital organs that filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood and excrete them in urine. They also help regulate blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and red blood cell production.

Hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver disease, is a condition that occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. The liver is an essential organ that performs many functions, such as detoxifying the blood, producing bile, and metabolising nutrients.

Thyroiditis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of your neck.

Silent thyroiditis, also known as painless thyroiditis or lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a mild form of autoimmune thyroiditis that causes a brief phase of hyperthyroidism that may or may not be followed by a phase of hypothyroidism. It usually resolves on its own within a few weeks or months.

Insulin resistance occurs when your cells become less sensitive to the effects of insulin, so they can't take up enough glucose from your blood. As a result, your blood sugar levels rise, and your pancreas has to produce more insulin to try to lower them.