Endometriosis: Interactive Support & Information

Glossary

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U V

Adeno	Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis	Growth of endometrial cells in the muscular wall of the uterus. Can cause pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea.
Add-back	Hormones (estrogens or estrogen/progesterone) which are given during a course of GnRH agonist treatment to help prevent bone loss and to mitigate some of the more bothersome side effects of these drugs (such as hot flashes and memory loss)
Adhesions	Fibrous tissue adhering to organs and often binding them together. This tissue often resembles scar tissues. Scar tissue that is formed by bleeding endometriosis lesions and surgery. This scar tissue can bind together internal organs and surfaces that should be separate
Adreanals or Adreanal glands	Glands above the kidneys that produce hormones
AF	Aunt Flow, or menstration
ASE	Alt.support.endometriosis, the usenet message board for the support of endo women and their families
Amenorrhea	Complete absence of menstration
Analegesics	Pain medications
Androgens	Hormones produced in smaller amounts by women - responsible for facial hair and other secondary masculine characteristics
Anoscopy	Visualization of the anus via scope
Anovulation	Failure to ovulate
Anterior	The front part of an organ
Anteflexed	Bent forward
Anteverted	Tilted forward
Antibody	A substance that fights only with the antigen that caused it's formation
Antigen	Substance that reacts to antibodies
Artificial insemination	Manual insertion of sperm into vagina
Aspiration	Sucking fluid from the body for purpose of Dx'ing it
Atresia	Closure of an organ or orifice
Atrophy	"Wasting away" or decreasing in size
Autoimmunity	The production of antibodies against the tissues of your own body
Barium enema	Insertion of barium into the intestines for x-ray examination
Basal	The lowest body temperature, used to determine ovulation
BBT	Basal body temperature
BCP's	Birth control pills
BM	Bowel movement
Benign	Non malignant (not cancerous)
Biopsy	Removal of tissue for diagnosis
Bowel Resection	A surgical procedure performed when a blockage of the intestines occurs. The procedure removes the portion of the bowel where the obstruction is located
CA-125	A marker for ovarian cancer, which has also been found to be elevated in women with endo who do not have cancer
CFS	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CM	Cervical mucus
Cannula	Hollow tube often inserted in surgery into a cavity or incision
Castration	Removal of the testes in a male, or the ovaries in a female
Cauterization	Fusion or destruction of tissue with laser and or heat.
Cervix	The necklike opening to the uterus
C-section	Surgical delivery through the abdomen
Clomid	Clomiphene Cirtrate or Serohene - estrogen drug used in IVF to induce ovulation
Coagulation	A method of destroying endometrial lesions by dehydrating the cells with a bipolar or thermal coagulator
Colonoscopy	Visualization of the large intestine through a scope
Colposcopy	Visualization of the vagina and cervix through a device which greatly magnifies it
Congenital	Existing at birth
CAT scan	Computer analyzed x-ray or a lay of tissue. Stands for "Computerised tomograpy"
Cul de sac	Little pouch between the uterus and the rectum
Cyst	Sac or cavity containing liquid
D & C	Dilation and curettage, or scraping of the uterine lining while the cervix is dilated
Dx	Diagnosis
Dysmenorrhea	Painful periods
Dyspareunia	Painful intercourse
Dysuria	Painful urination
EA	Endometrisos Association, 8585 N. 76th Place, Milwaukee, WI 53223 414-355-2200
Endo	Endometriosis
Endometrial cells	The cells that make up the internal lining of the uterus. These cells build up a thick lining cyclically which is then discarded through menstrual flow
Endo Awareness Week	A week to promote awareness each year sponsored by the EA
Endometriomia	Cyst with endometriotic fluid in it
Endometrium	Lining of the uterus which is shed each month during menses
Estrogen	Female sex hormones The female hormone responsible for ovulation. It's production is signaled by the pituitary gland in the brain
Estrogen Replacement Therapy	Also referred to as Hormone Replacement therapy. The practice of medically administering estrogen after procedures such as hysterectomy or menopause-inducing drugs to reduce side effects and reduce medical risks such as osteoporosis
Excision	To cut out or off. A method of removing endometriosis by physically cutting it out of the body
Fertility Treatments	See the Atlanta Reproductive Health Centre's informational section on infertility
FSH	Follicle stimulating hormone
fibroid tumors	Benign tumors in the muscle of the uterus
Gastrointestinal disorders	Disorders that affect the intestines and stomach, causing cramping diarrhea and/or constipation. Often diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and often confused with the symptoms of endometriosis
GI	Gastroinstenal or gastrointestinal doc
GnRH	Gonadtropin releasing hormones (Lupron).
HRT	Hormone replacement therapy
Hist. or Hx	History
Hypermenorrhea	Increased menstral flow
Hypomennorrhea	Decreased menstral flow
Hypothalmus	Part of the brain that directs the nervous system, endocrine system, and other parts of the body
Hysterectomy	Removal of the uterus and cervix. Surgical removal of the uterus. When the ovaries and the fallopian tubes are also removed, it is called hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy
HSG	Hysterosalpingography
Hysterosalpingography	X-ray with dye injected into the uterus to see if the tubes are obstructed
Hysteroscopy	Visualization of inside the uterus via scope
IBS	Irritable bowel syndrome - inflammation of the small or large bowels and involuntary spasms of the colon
IBD	Inflamitory bowel disease - a serious disease of the gastrointestinal tract
IF	Infertility
IVF	Invitrofertilization
IVP	Intravenous pyelogram
Laparoscopy	Visualization of interior of the abdomen through a scope. A surgical procedure used as the primary means of diagnosing endometriosis; also used to treat endometriosis. A lighted tube is inserted into the belly button through which the surgeon can view the inside of the abdomen. Instruments can be inserted into other small incisions to remove or destroy endometriosis
Lapex	Laparoscopy excision; a surgical technique that removes the entire endo lesion vs. ablation, fulguration, or electrocautery
Laparotymy	Major abdominal surgery
Laser Ablation	A method of destroying endometriosis utilizing a concentrated beam of light
LUNA	Laparoscopic uterosacreal never ablation; a surgical procedure in which the uterosacral ligaments are cut in order to sever the nerves which carry pain signals
MD	Medical doctor
Menarche	Beginning menstration
Menopause	The transition between the reproductive and post reproductive stages in an older women's life, or when a woman ceases to menstruate or ovulate
Menorrhaligia	Pelvic pain , PMS, and dysmenorrhea with menstruation
Newbie	A new member of a support group
O	Ovulate. Abreviation used in message boards and chat
OB/GYN	Obstetrician / gyneocolgist
Obstetrics	The medical specialty of caring for pregnant mothers and delivering babies
OC	Oral contraceptives
Ovaries	Female sex glands
Ovulation	Expulsion of ripened egg usually occuring in middle of your menstrual cycle. The cyclical occurrence in a woman's reproductive years when an egg is released from the ovary and picked up by the fallopian tubes and guided into the uterus where it will either be discarded with the menstrual flow or fertilized
Pap smear	Staining test used to detect abnormal cells
PCO or POS	Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PD	Period
PG	Pregnant
POF	Premature ovarian failure
Presacral Neurectomy	A surgical procedure in which nerves at the back of the uterus are severed in an attempt to eliminate or reduce pain associated with endometriosis
Progesterone	A hormone that prepares the uterus for implantation and nourishment of a fertilized egg.
Prostaglandins	Substances found in semen, menstrual fluid and other bodily tissues which are often responsible for the contractions of smooth muscles such as the uterus. Prostaglandins keep blood pressure low and influence hormone activity
Pseudomenopause	Hormonally induced short-term menopause
PSN	Presacral neurectomy - a surgical procedure in which the physician severs a never bundle near the sacrum. May be successful in eliminating "midline" pain, but does have risks
PMS	Premenstrual syndrome
RE	Reproductive endocrinologist
Reproductive Endocrinologist	A Doctor specially trained to treat hormone-related diseases, such as endometriosis. These doctors are often first trained as gynecologists and then go on to gain several years more specialized instruction
Retroflexed	Bent backwards
Retroverted	Tilited forward
RX	Perscription
Scar tissue	Tissue formed in the body's attempt to cover raw or exposed areas
Staging	Endo is classified from stages 1-4, depending upon the degree to which your body is affected
Testosterone	One of the major male hormones, often associated with traditionally male characteristics.
TX	Treatment
Urinary Tract Disorders	Disorders of the urinary tract causing painful urination, frequency of urination, and/or urine leakage, such as interstitial cystitis. Sometimes confused with the symptoms of endometriosis on the bladder
US	Ultrasound
Vaporization	A method of destroying endometriosis by boiling of the cellular water with a laser or eletrosurgical knife