Emergency Contraception Glossary of Terms

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Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Abdominal pain: Pain in the belly. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic. It may reflect ...

Allergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system, the body system ...

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

Blood clots: Blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. Also called a t...

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is...

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...

Deep vein thrombosis: A blood clot within a deep vein, typically in the thigh or leg. The ...

Discharge: 1.The flow of fluid from part of the body, such as from the nose or vag...

Dizziness: Painless head discomfort with many possible causes including disturbances of ...

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

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica...

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

Estrogen: A female steroid hormone that is produced by the ovaries and, in lesser amounts,...

Fatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ...

FDA: Food and Drug Administration.

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

Fertilization: The process of combining the male gamete, or sperm, with the female gamete,...

Food and Drug Administration: An agency within the US Public Health Service that provides ...

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

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

Headache: A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the he...

Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ...

Heart attack: The death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. The loss of bloo...

Implantation: The act of setting in firmly.

Insertion: A chromosome abnormality that is due to insertion of a segment from one chromos...

Intrauterine: In the uterus.

Itching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on ...

Levonorgestrel: A progestin. Named levonorgestrel because it is the levorotatory form of n...

Menstrual: Pertaining to menstruation (the menses), as in last menstrual period, menstrua...

Menstrual cycle: The monthly cycle of changes in the ovaries and the lining of the uteru...

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

Morning-after pill: A form of contraception used after rather than before sexual intercour...

Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in...

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

Ovary: The female gonad, one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. The ovaries are lo...

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

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

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...

Postcoital contraception: See: Emergency contraception.

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...

Progestin: Any one of a group of steroid hormones that have the effect of progesterone.

Pulse: The rhythmic dilation of an artery that results from beating of the heart. Pulse is...

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

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

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

Thrombosis: The formation or presence of a blood clot in a blood vessel. The vessel may be...

Tubal pregnancy: A pregnancy that is not in the usual place within the uterus but is locat...

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

Vein: A blood vessel that carries blood that is low in oxygen content from the body back t...

Vital: Necessary to maintain life. For example, breathing is a vital function.