Amenorrhoea: the absence or stopping of menstrual periods
Anaemia: reduction in the quantity of the oxygen-carrying pigment (haemoglobin) in the blood
Bilateral oophorectomy: operation to remove both ovaries
Body mass index (BMI): the weight of a person (in kilograms) divided by the square of the height of that person (in metres): used to indicate whether or not a person is over or underweight
Bone density: measurement of the bone’s mass in relation to its volume
Cervix: neck of the uterus (womb)
Climacteric: marks the transition from reproductive to non-reproductive state
Conjugated equine oestrogen: an oestrogen used in HRT which is obtained from mares’ urine
Corticosteroids: hormones produced naturally by the adrenal glands
Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA): method of measuring bone density
Endometriosis: a condition in which fragments of the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus
Endometrium: uterus lining
Endometrial hyperplasia: a thickening of the lining of the uterus, caused by overgrowth of the cells that line the uterus
Fallopian tubes: tubes which lead from the ovaries into the uterus
Fibroid: benign tumour of fibrous tissue and muscular tissue, one or more of which may develop within or attached to the outside of the uterus
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): one of the female hormones produced by the pituitary gland
Hormone assay: a test or trial to determine the strength of hormones
HRT: hormone replacement therapy
Hyperthyroidism: an overactive thyroid gland
Hyperparathyroidism: an overactive parathyroid gland
Hysterectomy: operation to remove the uterus
Implants: small pellets inserted under the skin
Laparoscopic hysterectomy: an operation to remove the uterus through four small cuts on the abdomen below the navel
Libido: sexual drive
Mammogram: a breast X-ray
Menopause: the occurrence of the last natural menstrual period
Oestrogen: a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries
Osteopenia: a degree of bone loss less severe than osteoporosis
Osteoporosis: loss of bone tissue, resulting in bones that are brittle and liable to fracture
Ovaries: a pair of female sex glands which produce sex hormones and release eggs
Ovulation: The process by which an ovum (egg cell) is released from the ovary
Pelvic floor: spans the area under the pelvis
Perimenopause: the time from the beginning of irregular periods until 12 months after your last period
Pessary: a device which fits into the vagina
Phytoestrogens: natural plant oestrogens
Post-menopause: the stage when menstruation has not occurred for a least 12 months
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): a group of symptoms experienced in varying degrees by women of reproductive age in the week before menstruation
Progesterone: a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries during the second half of the menstrual cycle
Progestogen: the synthetic form of progesterone
Prolapse: downward displacement of an organ or tissue from its normal position
Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints
Systemic: relating to or affecting the body as a whole
Testosterone: a steroid hormone formed by the ovary and adrenal glands
Unilateral oophorectomy: operation to remove one ovary
Urethra: the opening of the bladder
Uterus: a female organ which holds the developing unborn child. Also called the womb
Vagina: the lower part of the female reproductive tract
Vaginal atrophy: inflammation of the vagina and the outer urinary tract
Vaginitis: vaginal inflammation
Vasomotor symptoms: symptoms caused by the irregular function of the part of the brain that controls body heat (such as hot flushes and night sweats)
Vulva: the lips outside of the vagina
Withdrawal bleed: the breaking down of the lining of the uterus and shedding after stopping a course of progestogen
Womb: also called the uterus
Created January 2011
Updated June 2011
The Menopause Exchange
