Glossary
Print PageYou may hear these terms discussed in reference to yourself, your spouse, friend, or your daughter:
Adenomatous hyperplasia: An irregular, precancerous mass that usually occurs in postmenopausal women. Adenomyosis is the glands of the endometrial lining growing down into the muscle layer of the uterus. The uterus enlarges and the woman bleeds irregularly.
Alfa-fetoprotein (AFP): A tumor marker for certain cancers of the ovaries and testes. Adults should have less than 15 nanograms of alfa-fetoprotein per milliliter of blood.
Amenorrhea: The monthly menstrual cycle ceases due to one of these causes:
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Exercising too much
- Not eating enough (anorexia nervosa)
- Extreme stress
- A serious underlying medical condition, such as uremia from end-stage renal disease (ESRD or kidney failure)
Anemia: Lack of blood. Women who bleed very heavily during menstruation develop iron deficiency anemia, and in extreme cases, low blood volume. Anemic women feel tired, and are withdrawn and pale. Dark skinned women have pale mucous membranes. Your family doctor orders a Complete Blood Count and ferritin levels to confirm that you have anemia, and will likely prescribe iron supplements until you can be seen by a gynecologist (doctor specializing in female organs).
Asherman syndrome: Adhesions in the uterus caused when a D&C or tuberculosis damages the basal layer of the endometrium. The sides of the uterus stick together, so there is no central cavity in which a fetus can grow.
ßhCG: A pregnancy hormone excreted 10 days after conception, used to measure the age of the embryo. High levels can also mean cancer or multiple pregnancy. Low levels can mean death of the fetus, tubal (ectopic) pregnancy, or miscarriage.
CA-125: Cancer Antigen 125 is a tumor marker for ovarian cancer. Chocolate cyst is endometrium that grows outside the uterus, usually in the ovary, and forms a knot of old blood tissue that bleeds monthly. The cyst may be accompanied by “powder burns” of misplaced endometrium. It is a sign the woman has endometriosis.
D&C: Dilatation & Curettage, when the doctor scrapes the uterine lining to examine the cells for endometrial cancer, and to relieve the heavy buildup of the uterine lining (hyperplasia). D&C is also used for abortions early in pregnancy.
Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation. If it is caused by excessive prostaglandins, dysmenorrhea can usually be relieved with ibuprofen (Motrin®), massage, heat packs, adequate rest, and mild aerobic exercise, like walking. If it is caused by hyperplasia, submucosal fibroids, or another uterine abnormality, the doctor must investigate further. Progesterone often relieves the pain associated with heavy menstruation from hyperplasia or fibroids.
Endometrial hyperplasia: Overgrowth of the womb’s lining because of: Overstimulation by estrogen during perimenopause; estrogen-mimicking chemical toxins in the environment, such as pesticides on produce and phthalates in cosmetics and plastics; antibiotics and growth hormones in meat and milk; and obesity.
Fibroid tumors: Benign (non-cancerous) uterine tumors that can cause pain and heavy bleeding.
FSH (follicular stimulating hormone): A hormone produced by the pituitary gland and the placenta, which stimulates the ovaries and controls reproduction.
Gonadotropin levels: The pituitary gland in the brain secretes a group of hormones called gonadotropins, which stimulate the ovaries and testicles.
Hypermenorrhea: Prolonged bleeding more than 7 days.
Hypomenorrhea: Scanty menstruation.
Hypothalamus: The section of the brain that regulates body temperature, chemical balance, the pituitary gland, and the autonomic nervous system. The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system, so it regulates sexual appetite, eating, sleep, and emotions. It influences heart and breathing rates and blood pressure. The hypothalamus is located in the grey matter, below the thalamus, in the center of the brain. The pituitary gland hangs on a stalk below the hypothalamus.
LH (luteinizing hormone): A gonadotropic hormone released by the pituitary gland in the brain, which stimulates females to ovulate.
Lymphedema: Swollen lymph glands. Your doctor may sample your pelvic lymph nodes during a hysterectomy.
Menorrhagia: Heavy bleeding more than 80 ml per cycle, or 16 soaked sanitary pads per cycle, leading to iron deficiency anemia.
Oligomenorrhea: Scanty uterine bleeding, with cycles greater than 35 days, so there are four to nine periods per year.
PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome. Painful, liquid-filled cysts on the ovaries that cause irregular menstruation, abnormal hair growth, skin tags, dark skin patches, insulin resistance, weight gain, infertility, and miscarriage. It may have a genetic component.
Pituitary gland: Connected to the hypothalamus, the pituitary controls growth hormone, prolactin for milk production, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate testes. The pituitary stimulates the adrenal and thyroid glands.
Polymenorrhea: One menstrual period every 2—3 weeks; this is too frequent.
Prostaglandin: Chemicals that control the contractions of the uterus. Prostaglandin level is highest when your menstrual period begins. Too much prostaglandin contracts the uterine muscle so hard that the blood supply is cut off, the uterus is starved for oxygen, and pain results. Prostaglandins from the uterus can leak into the bloodstream and cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache.
T3, T4, and TSH: A panel of blood tests used to evaluate the thyroid gland in the neck. Women with thyroid imbalance do not ovulate (release eggs for fertilization). A thyroid panel is standard for confirming that you are in menopause.
Virilize: Encourage formation of male secondary sexual characteristics, such as beard growth, voice deepening, and strong muscle growth. Virilization occurs in women with PCOS.