A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abnormal uterine bleeding:Any bleeding that is outside the normal pattern of an individual woman's menstrual bleeding. See menorrhagia and metrorrhagia.

Adenomyosis: the presence of endometrial tissue within the myometrium. Learn more.

Asherman's syndrome: the occurrence of adhesions (synechiae or bands of scar tissue) within the uterus such that the cavity becomes partly obliterated. Symptoms are a decrease in menstrual flow, increased cramping and abdominal pain, possible eventual cessation of menstrual cycles (amenorrhea), and infertility. It may occure secondary to a uterine infection (endometritis), surgical scraping or cleaning of tissue from the uterine wall (dilatation and curettage [D and C]), or other uterine surgery. It can be treated with hysteroscopy.

Chronic pelvic pain: (as defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) 3 months of continuous pelvic pain or 6 months of cyclic pelvic pain.

COX-2 inhibitor: A class of anti-inflammatory drugs that works by blocking an enzyme (COX-2) in your body that can cause pain.

Cystoscopy: looking inside the bladder with a camera to aid in diagnosis. Cystoscopy is often done with hydrodistention in supsected interstitial cystitis, this may be both diagnostic and therapeutic. Learn more.

Dilation and Curettage ( D and C): a procedure used for many indications including the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding. Learn more.
See picture of procedure

Dysmenorrhea: painful periods (menses)

Dyschezia: (dis - kee - tzee - uh) painful bowel movements

Dyspareunia: (dis - pair - yoo - nee - uh) painful intercourse

Dysuria: painful urination

Endometriosis: the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Learn more

Fibroid: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female genital tract. You might hear them referred to as "fibroids" or by several other names, including leiomyoma, leiomyomata, myoma and fibromyoma. Fibroids are noncancerous (benign) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. While fibroids do not always cause symptoms, their size and location can lead to problems for some women, including pain and heavy bleeding. Fibroid tumors are most common in African American women. Fibroids can be treated with medical therapy and with minimally invasive surgical therapy including uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).

Hysteroscopy: looking and operating inside the uterus with a small camera.

Incidence: the risk of developing a particular disease over a specific period of time (in the case of lifetime incidence it is the risk of developing a disease at any point throughout one's life)

Interstitial Cystitis: (also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS):  A disease mainly of the nerves that supply the bladder and surrounding organs. This can results in pain and a constant need to empty the bladder. This can be seen as part of a larger visceral pain syndrome and if often associated with endometriosis. Please click here for more information.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a problem that affects the bowel which can cause symptoms of cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and pain.Learn more.

Laparoscopy: looking and operating inside the abdominal cavity with a small camera. Learn more

Menorrhagia: menstrual bleeding lasting more than 7 days.

Metrorrhagia: bleeding in between normal menses.

Myometrium: the muscle of the uterus.

Post ablation tubal sydrome: A condition that arises when there is some active endometrial tissue present after an endometrial ablation and a tubal ligation. After an endometrial ablation, the uterine cavity collapses on itself and typically becomes scarred. Some endometrial tissue may persist, mostly in the cornual region of the uterine cavity. This active endometrium can cause extremely painful dilatation and inflammation inside the uterus. Most often it requires a hysterectomy that can be performed through a laparoscope. A similar problem may be seen after an endometrial ablation alone.

Potassium Sensitivity Test (PST):a tool to aid in the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis.A positive PST can help guide additional treatment.

Pudendal Nerve Entrapment: an uncommon cause of pelvic pain in which the pudendal nerve is compressed between some of the ligaments, tendons, and bony structures of the pelvis

Quality of life: Refers to your ability to enjoy normal, every day activities. Generally encompasses physical health, psychological health, social functional status, and ability to carry your normal daily living.

Tricyclic antidepressants: A family of prescription medications used to treat pain and depression by correcting chemical imbalances in the brain. Some commonly used tricyclic antidepressants are amitriptyline (Elavil®), desipramine (Norpramin®), nortriptyline (Pamelor®), and protriptyline (Vivactil®).

Uterus: Also known as the womb. It is made up mostly of muscle. The muscle of the uterus is called the myometrium.

Vulvodynia: pain located in the external genitalia or the area outside the vagina known as the vulvae. Vulvodynia is a disease that can be divided into two problems - vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and dysesthetic vulvodynia. For more information please view the NIH Vulvodynia Awareness Campaign (October 2007).