Glossary

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abortion
Termination of a pregnancy.
AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
ARNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
cervix
The lower part of the uterus, with an opening connecting the uterus to the vagina.
Chlamydia
A bacterial STD. Most people with chlamydia aren't aware they have it since there are usually no symptoms. Untreated, CT often results in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.
CNM
Certified Nurse Midwife
contraception
birth control; any technique, method, or device that reduces the risk of a woman becoming pregnant
emergency contraception
see Plan B Emergency Contraception
erection
When the penis gets hard and stiff due to blood flowing into it as a result of sexual excitement.
fallopian tube
One of two narrow tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
a condition in which body deformation or facial development or mental ability of a fetus is impaired because the mother drank alcohol while pregnant
folic acid
B vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction
genital warts
Human Papillomavirus
heterosexual
Attracted to the opposite sex; straight
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
HPV
Human Papillomavirus or Genital Warts Only a few women with certain types of wart virus in their cervix have the kind of cell changes linked with cancer.
human papilloma virus
See genital warts. Only a few women with certain types of wart virus in their cervix have the kind of cell changes linked with cancer.
ovaries
The two organs that store eggs in a woman's body and produce hormones associated with sex and reproduction.
Plan B Emergency Contraception
Similar to birth control pills that prevent ovulation or fertilization. Plan B will not harm a developing fetus, and will not terminate an existing pregnancy. Plan B is for emergency contraception only, and not intended to be used in place of regular contraception.
propaganda
Hype or misinformation which reflects the views of those spreading the rumour
public health care
this antiquated idea whereby the government would provide health care for all paid by taxing income etc.
scrotum
The soft sac of wrinkled skin that cover, hold and protect a man's testicles
seminal fluid
also called semen
sperm
Microscopic living things contained in semen. They look like tadpoles. Semen allows sperm to swim as they look for the female egg, in order to fertilize it.
STD
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
tubal ligation
Permanent, surgical method of birth control for a woman. The two fallopian tubes are blocked so an egg can not pass through them to be fertilized.
vasectomy
Permanent, surgical method of birth control for a man. The two sperm tubes are blocked so sperm can not pass through the penis.