Glossary of Terms

Gestational Diabetes A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) that occur when the body is unable to produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes typically...

Perimenopause The transitional phase preceding menopause, marked by hormonal changes and irregular menstrual cycles as the ovaries gradually decrease their production of estrogen and progesterone. Perimenopause typically begins in a biological woman's 40s, although it...

Ovarian Cyst The biological process marking the end of reproductive years and typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 with an average onset around 51. Menopause is characterized by the cessation of menstrual cycles and the decline in ovarian function. Menopause...

Menopause The biological process marking the end of reproductive years and typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 with an average onset around 51. Menopause is characterized by the cessation of menstrual cycles and the decline in ovarian function. Menopause is...

PAP Smear An in office medical screening procedure used to collect cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope. Pap smears are performed to detect abnormal changes in cervical cells that may indicate cervical cancer or precancerous conditions. This...

Surgical Abortion A medical procedure used to terminate a pregnancy by surgically removing the fetus and placenta from the uterus. Surgical abortion procedures may involve vacuum aspiration or dilation and evacuation (D&E), depending on the gestational age of the...

Medical Abortion Also called a chemical abortion. A non-surgical method of terminating pregnancy using pharmaceutical drugs. It involves the sequential administration of medications, typically mifepristone followed by misoprostol, to induce miscarriage and expel the...

Misoprostol A synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog that is used for several medical purposes, including the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, induction of labor, and chemical abortion. Misoprostol acts by binding to prostaglandin receptors in the uterus,...

Mifepristone A synthetic steroid compound that acts as a selective progesterone receptor antagonist. Mifepristone blocks the action of progesterone, a hormone necessary for maintaining pregnancy, leading to the detachment of the embryo / fetus from the uterine lining...

Basal Body Temperature? The body's lowest temperature at rest, typically measured in the morning after several hours of uninterrupted sleep and before any physical activity. BBT is influenced by hormonal changes, particularly the rise in progesterone after ovulation,...