Menstrual Cramps Glossary of Terms

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Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the...

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 ...

Ablation: Removal or excision. Ablation is usually carried out surgically. For example, su...

Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.

Absenteeism: The frequent absence from work or other duty without good reason. See also: P...

Acupuncture: The practice of inserting needles into the body to reduce pain or induce anes...

Adenomyosis: A common, benign condition of the uterus in which the endometrium (the inner ...

Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, usually associated with infection of the appen...

Back pain: Pain felt in the low or upper back. Causes of pain in the low and upper back in...

Benign: Not malignant. A benign tumor is one that does not invade surrounding tissue or sp...

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

Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func...

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

Chills: feelings of coldness accompanied by shivering. Chills may develop after exposure t...

Cyst: A closed sac or capsule, usually filled with fluid or semisolid material.

Cysts: Cysts are abnormal, closed sac-like structures within a tissue that contain a liqui...

Diagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ...

Diarrhea: A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. ...

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 ...

Ectopic: In the wrong place, out of place. For example, an ectopic kidney is a kidney that...

Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy that is not in the uterus. The fertilized egg settles and g...

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

Endometrial ablation: Removal of the lining of the womb. Removing the uterine lining decre...

Endometriosis: The presence of tissue that normally grows inside the uterus (womb) in an ...

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

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

Fibroids: Fibroids are common, benign tumors of smooth muscle in the uterus (womb). Uterin...

Hysterectomy: An operation to remove the uterus. Hysterectomies are most commonly performe...

Hysteroscopy: A procedure to see inside the uterus (the womb) using a viewing scope that i...

Ibuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa...

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

Infertility: Diminished or absent ability to conceive and bear offspring. A couple is cons...

Inflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ...

Intrauterine: In the uterus.

Kidney: One of a pair of organs located in the right and left side of the abdomen. The kid...

Laparoscopy: A type of surgery in which small incisions are made in the abdominal wall thr...

Leg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an...

Magnetic resonance imaging: A procedure that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer t...

Malaise: A vague feeling of discomfort, one that cannot be pinned down but is often sensed...

Medical history: 1. In clinical medicine, the patient's past and present which may ...

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

Menstrual cramps: Cramping in the lower abdomen, usually in the first or second day of the...

Menstruation: The periodic blood that flows as a discharge from the uterus. Also called me...

MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging.

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

Neural: Having to do with nerve cells (neurons).

Nutrition: 1) The science or practice of taking in and utilizing foods. 2) A nourishing ...

Onset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex...

Oral contraceptive: A birth control pill taken by mouth. Most oral contraceptives include...

Ovarian: Of or pertaining to the ovary.

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...

Pelvic: Having to do with the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen, located between the h...

Pelvic exam: An examination of the organs of the female reproductive system.

Pelvic pain: : Pain perceived in the area of the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen loc...

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...

Prognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan...

Prostaglandin: One of a number of hormone-like substances that participate in a wide range...

Reflux: The term used when liquid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach.

Resection: Surgical removal of part of an organ.

Stomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp...

Stress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Therapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment.

Thiamine: Vitamin B1. Thiamine (vitamin B1) acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of the bo...

Tubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tub...

Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves. Ultra-sound waves can be bounced off tissues by us...

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 ...

Vaginal discharge: Vaginal discharge is a fluid produced by glands in the vaginal wall and...

Vitamin E: Alpha-tocopherol, an antioxidant vitamin which binds oxygen free radicals that ...