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5.11: Key Terms

  • Page ID
    104510
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    amenorrhea
    absence of menstruation in a person with ovaries and a uterus, who is of reproductive age
    barrier method
    contraceptive method that prevents pregnancy by blocking the passage of sperm through the reproductive tract, which prevents sperm from reaching the egg for fertilization
    cervical cap
    small cup made of silicone that fits snugly over the cervix, blocking sperm from entering and reaching the ovum
    coitus interruptus
    method of contraception, called withdrawal or pulling out, when the penis is withdrawn from the vagina prior to ejaculation
    contraceptive abstinence
    abstaining from vaginal intercourse, with avoidance of semen entering the vagina to fertilize an ovum, preventing pregnancy
    contraceptive implant
    contraceptive device that is placed subdermally, releasing etonogestrel over a 3-year period to prevent pregnancy
    contraceptive sponge
    small, round sponge, with indents on one side and a loop on the other side, that releases a continuous flow of nonoxynol-9 spermicide
    diaphragm
    dome-shaped silicone cup that is inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix, preventing sperm from reaching the uterus
    dysmenorrhea
    very painful menstrual cramping that interferes with the person’s daily living
    emergency contraception (EC)
    form of contraception that is effective in interrupting a pregnancy before it begins if administered within a specific time frame after sexual intercourse
    endometrial hyperplasia
    condition in which the endometrium of the uterus becomes very thick, causing unusual bleeding
    external condom
    sheath placed on a penis or sex toy, providing both contraception and STI protection
    female sterilization
    term used to describe a surgical procedure that permanently terminates fertility and pregnancy in a person with a uterus
    ferning
    pattern cervical mucus makes when placed on a glass slide under a microscope
    fertility awareness methods (FAM)
    methods requiring the person who is menstruating to monitor the menstruation cycle and fertile window and to avoid vaginal coitus intimate contact during the fertile window
    internal condom
    soft polyurethane sheath that is inserted into the vagina for contraception and STI protection
    intrauterine contraception (IUC) device (IUD)
    small, plastic T-shaped contraceptive device that is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy
    long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
    long-lasting and easily reversible birth control, including intrauterine contraception devices and contraceptive implants
    male sterilization
    term used to describe a surgical procedure that permanently blocks the small tubes in the scrotum that carry sperm so they cannot be ejaculated and cause pregnancy
    medically induced abortion
    termination of pregnancy induced by medications
    menstrual start method
    method in which the patient begins taking COC pills on the first day of their next menstrual cycle
    mittelschmerz
    midcycle abdominal pain related to ovulation
    pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
    infection of the female reproductive organs, most often occurring when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries
    perfect use effectiveness
    rate of effectiveness of a contraceptive method measured in clinical trial
    quick start method
    method in which the patient begins taking COC pills on the day of the appointment because they have been deemed “reasonably certain” of not being pregnant due to history taking and point-of-care pregnancy test; with this method, a “backup method” (barrier method) is necessary for the next 7 days.
    reanastomosis
    reconnecting of the vas deferens (or any tissue) after it has been surgically opened
    spermicide
    cream, foam, gel, suppository, or vaginal film that acts as an adjunct therapy when used with barrier methods, destroying sperm by disrupting the cell membrane
    spinnbarkeit
    cervical mucus that is more estrogen dominant, presents as clear, stretchable, and much more amenable to sperm mobility, occurring at ovulation
    Sunday start method
    in which the patient is educated to begin taking COC pills on the Sunday that follows the first day of the next menstrual cycle
    surgically induced abortion
    procedure in which manual dilation of the cervix occurs, followed by emptying of the uterine cavity using a suction curettage
    tubal ligation
    surgical procedure for female sterilization in which the fallopian tubes are permanently blocked, clipped, or removed
    typical use effectiveness
    rate of effectiveness of a contraceptive method when used in real life over a year, impacted by persons not following instructions for use every time
    U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (US MEC)
    tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess if a patient is eligible for a type of contraception based on medical conditions or previous medical conditions
    unintended pregnancy
    unwanted or mistimed pregnancy
    vaginal coitus
    penile-vaginal intercourse
    vasectomy
    procedure in which a small opening is made in the scrotum to sever the vas deferens by ligation or cautery, preventing sperm from being ejaculated
    venous thromboembolism
    blood clot that forms within a vein

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