Birth Control Methods Glossary of Terms

1. Birth Control Slideshow Pictures

Abortion: In medicine, an abortion is the premature exit of the products of conception (t...

Abstinence: The voluntary self-denial of food, drink, or sex. Today, abstinence most commo...

Amenorrhea: Absence or cessation of menstruation. Amenorrhea is conventionally divided ...

Birth control: Birth control is the use of any practices, methods, or devices to prevent p...

Breastfeeding: Feeding a child human breast milk. According to the American Academy of Ped...

Cervical: Having to do with any kind of neck, including the neck on which the head is perc...

Cervical cap: A soft rubber cup with a round rim designed to fit snugly around the cervix...

Cervix: The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The uterus, a hollow, ...

Chlamydia: The agent of a sexually transmitted disease, a type of bacteria found in the ce...

Coitus: Sexual intercourse.

Coitus interruptus: A method of contraception, also called withdrawal, in which the man wi...

Douching: Using water or a medicated solution to clean the vagina and cervix or any other ...

Ejaculation: Ejection of sperm and seminal fluid during an orgasm in a male.

Emergency contraception: The prevention of pregnancy after unprotected vaginal intercourse...

Endocrinology: The study of the medical aspects of hormones, including diseases and condit...

Female condom: Although the word "condom" usually conjures up the male condom, there is a ...

Fertility: The ability to conceive and bear children, the ability to become pregnant throu...

Fertility awareness: Also known as natural family planning, periodic abstinence and the rh...

Genetics: The scientific study of heredity. Genetics pertains to humans and all other orga...

Genital: Pertaining to the external and/or internal organs of reproduction.

Genital herpes: An infection by human herpes virus that is transmitted through intimate co...

Gynecology: The branch of medicine that is particularly concerned with the health of the f...

Herpes: A family of viruses. Herpes also refers to infection with one of the human herpesv...

HIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodefi...

Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit...

Intrauterine: In the uterus.

Lubricant: An oily or slippery substance. A vaginal lubricant may be helpful for women who...

Male condom: The male condom is a sheath placed over the erect penis before penetration, p...

Mifepristone: The French abortion pill, also known as RU-486.

Mucus: A thick fluid that is produced by the lining of some organs of the body.

Natural family planning: Also known as fertility awareness, periodic abstinence and the rh...

Obstetrics: The art and science of managing pregnancy, labor, and the puerperium (the time...

Ovulation: The release of the ripe egg (ovum) from the ovary. The egg is released when the...

Penis: The external male sex organ. The penis contains two chambers, the corpora cavernosa...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Plan B: Brand name for a progestin-only emergency contraceptive designed to prevent pregn...

Pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi...

Pregnant: The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body.

Prescription: A physician's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or dev...

Rape: Forced sexual intercourse; sexual assault; sexual intercourse between an adult and a...

Rhythm method: Also known as fertility awareness, natural family planning, and periodic ab...

RU-486: The French abortion pill, also known as mifepristone.

Sexually transmitted disease: Any disease transmitted by sexual contact; caused by microo...

Sperm: A sperm is the male "gamete" or sex cell. It combines with the female &qu...

Uterus: A hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in a woman's lower abdomen, between th...

Vagina: The muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. It is ...

Vasectomy: A surgical procedure designed to make a man sterile by cutting or blocking both...

Voluntary: Done in accordance with the conscious will of the individual. The opposite of i...