Medical Terms

Assisted Reproductive Technology – A medical intervention to achieve pregnancy – e.g., in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Biopsy – Removal of a tissue sample from a living body for examination and diagnosis

Cervix – The "neck" of the uterus, which opens into the vagina

Cesarean section – Surgical delivery of a baby via the abdominal wall

Condom – a barrier (a sheath worn by a man or inserted by a woman) that prevents sperm from entering the vagina

Contraception – deliberate prevention of pregnancy, "birth control"

Diaphragm – a latex cup placed deep inside the vagina, blocking the passage of sperm into the cervix

Dilatation & Curettage (D&C) – a surgical procedure to scrape out the lining of the uterus. If done while a woman is pregnant, it is also a form of abortion.

Embryo – a developing baby in the first half of pregnancy

Endometrium – The lining of the uterus, which is shed monthly with menstruation

Estrogen – one of a group of female hormones

Fallopian tube – A tube branching from the uterus towards the ovary; after ovulation the ovum (egg) enters the fallopian tube and travels towards the uterus

Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) – A natural method, used either for contraception or to achieve pregnancy, in which a woman monitors her fertility cycle

Fertilization – The union of egg and sperm cells, conception

Fetus – a developing baby in the latter half of pregnancy

Fibroid – a benign tumor of the uterus

Hormonal Contraception – The use of synthetic hormones to prevent pregnancy

Hormone – A chemical substance, produced by a gland and released into the bloodstream, that affects a bodily process or function

Hymen – a thin membrane that initially covers part of the vaginal opening; it is stretched during marital relations and generally disappears after a few episodes of relations

Hysterectomy – surgical removal of the uterus

Infertility – The inability to produce offspring

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – union of an egg and sperm outside of the body. Babies produced in this manner are sometimes called "test tube babies."

Intrauterine Device (IUD) – a small device inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy

Intrauterine System – a form of IUD that releases progesterone

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – medical injection of sperm into the uterus to assist in achieving pregnancy

Labia – The "lips" surrounding the opening of the vagina

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) – A natural method of contraception based on the lack of ovulation caused by breastfeeding

Lubricant – a substance that coats an item to reduce friction; vaginal lubricants are sometimes used to avoid discomfort during halachic or medical examinations or marital relations.

Menopause – The point in a woman's life where menstruation stops completely

Menses – A synonym for menstruation

Menstruation – Hormonally regulated shedding of the uterine lining

Miscarriage – The loss of an embryo or fetus during pregnancy

Os – literally mouth. The cervical os is the opening of the cervix

Ovary – A small gland that produces ova (eggs), as well as hormones such as estrogen and progesterone

Ovum – Egg cell (plural ova)

Ovulation –The exit of a mature ovum (egg) from the ovary

Pap Smear – Screening test for cervical cancer, in which a few cells are scraped from the cervix and examined in a laboratory

Perimenopause – The transition to menopause during the final years of menstruation

Polyp – A small growth arising from a mucous membrane

Progesterone – one of a group of female hormones

Semen – liquid containing sperm cells, released by the husband during relations

Speculum – an instrument, consisting of two rounded blades on a hinge, used to see the mouth of the cervix

Sperm – Male reproductive cell, which unites with an egg cell to produce an embryo

Spermicide – chemical substances that damage sperm. They can be used during marital relations to prevent pregnancy.

Sterilization – A procedure that renders one permanently infertile

Trauma – injury

Tubal Ligation – Sterilization of a woman by tying the fallopian tubes to prevent the passage of ova (eggs)

Ultrasound – Ultrasonic waves, which can be used to view internal organs or a developing fetus

Uterus – The womb, the muscular organ where a pregnancy develops

Vagina – The external opening of the female genital tract

Vasectomy – Sterilization of a man by severing the vas deferens to prevent the passage of sperm

Vulva – The area surrounding the vaginal opening