Gynaecological History glossary Flashcards
Menarche
Your first menstrual period is called menarche (say “MEN-ar-kee”). It usually starts sometime between ages 11 and 14.1 But it can happen as early as age 9 or as late as 15.
Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the series of changes occurring in females which are periodic preparations for pregnancy.
A good working knowledge is essential for proper understanding of disorders and the action of pharmacological intervention.
The menstrual cycle may be considered from the point of view of the ovaries and the uterus.
Gravidity
The number of times a woman has been pregnant.
Parity
The number of times given birth to fetus >24wks.
Monthly menstrual bleeding
About once a month, the uterus grows a new lining (endometrium) to get ready for a fertilised egg. When there is no fertilized egg, the uters sheds its endometrium.
Dysmenorrhoea
Painful periods
Dyspareunia
Painful sex.
Painful intercourse can occur for a variety of reasons — ranging from structural problems to psychological concerns. Many women experience painful intercourse at some point in their lives.
The medical term for painful intercourse is dyspareunia (dis-puh-ROO-ne-uh) — which is defined as persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after intercourse.
Dyschezia [bloating]
Pain on opening bowels
Dysuria
Pain on passing urine
Mittelschmerz
Midcycle/ovulatory pain
Postcoital bleeding
Postcoital bleeding is non-menstrual bleeding that occurs immediately after sexual intercourse.
Both are symptoms, rather than diagnoses, and warrant further assessment. They occur commonly and are emphasised in referral guidelines for suspected gynaecological cancers. Whilst genital tract malignancy is an uncommon cause of bleeding and a rare cause in young women, it must be considered in all patients.
Menorrhagia
quantity of blood loss during a period.
Polymenorrhoea
too frequent periods
Oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea
infrequent periods.
