Common Gynecological Terms/Abbreviations
| Term/Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| Adjuvant therapy | Complementary cancer treatment intended to impede the growth of micrometastatic disease |
| Amenorrhea (primary) | Absence of menarche by age 16 or absence of secondary sexual characteristics by age 14 |
| Amenorrhea (secondary) | Absence of menses after history of established menstruation |
| Cervical dysplasia | Abnormal cervical cellular changes |
| Climacteric | Decline in female reproductive ability before menopause |
| Colporrhaphy | Surgical repair of weakened vaginal wall; used for treatment of rectocele (posterior)/cystocele (anterior) |
| Colposcope | Magnifying instrument used to closely examine cervical tissue and aid in biopsy if indicated |
| Corpus luteum | Term given to the follicle after ovulation; produces estrogen and progesterone in luteal phase of the menstrual cycle |
| Cryosurgery | Application of extremely cold cervical probe to the cervix intended to destroy and treat abnormal cervical cells |
| Cystocele | Protrusion of the bladder into the vagina |
| Dysmenorrhea | Painful menstruation |
| Dyspareunia | Pain experienced during intercourse |
| Endometriosis | Endometrial tissue located outside of the uterus |
| GnRH | Gonadotropin-releasing hormone |
| HPV | Human papillomavirus |
| Hysterectomy | Surgical excision of the uterus |
| Hysterosalpingography | Radiographic visualization of the uterus and fallopian tubes with insertion of a contrast medium; may be therapeutic by opening tube |
| Hysteroscopy | Examination of the uterus using a specialized instrument |
| Kegel exercises | Exercises performed by a woman to strengthen the pelvic floor and decrease incidence of stress incontinence |
| LEEP | Loop electrosurgical excision procedure; used in the treatment of cervical dysplasia |
| Lymphedema | Abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid in the interstitial spaces; may occur after excision of lymph nodes |
| Mastectomy | Surgical removal of the breast |
| Menarche | Launch of menses in the young female |
| Menopause | Permanent cessation of menses marking the end of reproductive ability; average age in U.S. women, 52 years |
| Menorrhagia | Menstrual flow that is excessive in amount or number of days |
| Metrorrhagia | Bleeding between expected menstrual periods |
| Myomectomy | Surgical excision of a uterine fibroid |
| OC | Oral contraceptive |
| OCP | Oral contraceptive pill |
| Oligomenorrhea | Scanty or infrequent menstrual flow |
| Oophorectomy | Surgical excision of the ovary |
| Ovulation | Cyclic release of an ovum from graafian follicle; occurs 14 days before menses |
| PCOS | Polycystic ovarian syndrome |
| Pessary | Medical device used to support the pelvic floor and reduce symptoms associated with uterine prolapse, cystocele, and rectocele |
| Rectocele | Protrusion of the rectum into the vagina |
| Salpingectomy | Surgical excision of the fallopian tube |
| Sentinel node | First lymph node that receives lymphatic drainage from a tumor |
| STD | Sexually transmitted disease |
| STI | Sexually transmitted infection |
| TAH-BSO | Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy |
| Uterine artery embolization | Procedure performed to decrease the blood supply to uterine fibroids, with the intention of shrinking them |
| Uterine fibroid | Encapsulated, connective tissue tumor of the uterus |
| Uterine prolapse | Protrusion of the uterus into the vagina |