Chapter 8 Flashcards
Dysmenorrhea
painful menstruation
Prostaglandins
hormonelike substances from the lining of the uterus that cause excessive contractions in the uterine muscles, decreased blood flow, and increased sensitivity to pain
Endometriosis
a condition which endometrial tissue which lines the uterus grows outside the lining of the uterus causing pain during menstruation
Menarche
the first onset of menstruation. It represents an important developmental milestone in women’s lives.
Sexual objectification
attitudes that define the female body in terms of beauty and require that messy biological functions be concealed
such attitudes create a negative view of menstruation
Gonadotrpins
hormones in the gonads that cause the testes to increase testosterone production and the ovaries to produce estrogen
Spermarche
first ejaculation; occurs around age 13 or 14
Pseudocyesis
Pseudopregnancy - emotional changes have physiological consequences
occurs more frequently in sterile women
causal factors may be a fear of or wish for pregnancy
Couvade syndrome
expectant fathers suffer from physiological symptoms during their wives pregnancy or labour
Menopause
once women have no menstrual periods for a year
heavy flow, vaginal dryness, sleep difficulties, eventually no menstruation
Andropause
male menopause
thinning of the ejaculate, a reduction of ejaculatory pressure, and decreased levels of FSH and LH
enlargement of prostate
Postpartum depression
Negative emotions experienced by the mother in the days, weeks, or months following childbirth
1- the blues : emotionality and readiness to cry lasting for the first few days
2- neurotic postpartum : depressed feelings and loss of appetite and insomnia lasting at least 2 weeks
3- postpartum psychosis : a serious breakdown in the ability to cope including delusions and suicidal and infanticidal thoughts
