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5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
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medication used to treat BPH; works by shrinking the prostate gland
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abortifacients
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medications that cause complete evacuation of the contents of the uterus
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alpha blockers
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medication used to treat BPH; works by relaxing the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck
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anabolic steroids
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a category of medications, analogues to testosterone, used to enhance tissue building and stimulate production of red blood cells
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andropause
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time of decreased production of testosterone, atrophy of interstitial cells, and lessened sexual activity; comparable to female menopause
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antiandrogens
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medications that compete with testosterone for androgen-receptor binding sites and work against androgens and testosterone
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combined oral contraceptives (COCs)
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contraceptive drugs that contain both estrogen and progestin in varying dosages; the three categories are
monophasic
(contain a fixed ratio of estrogen and progestin),
biphasic
(contain a fixed dose of estrogen with a varying dose of progestin), and
triphasic
(contain low doses of both estrogen and progestin with a varying dose of estrogen)
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contraceptives
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medications and devices that prevent a female from becoming pregnant
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delayed puberty
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condition when the male sex characteristics do not develop at the expected time in puberty
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estradiol
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hormone used primarily for relief of menopause symptoms; used for hormone replacement therapy
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estrogen
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primary hormone released by the ovaries; initiates the development of female genitalia and breast tissue
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estrogen receptor modulators (ERMs)
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nonhormone drugs that stimulate or block estrogen receptor sites; used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopause
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first-day start method
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a method of initiating a contraceptive when the client starts the contraceptive on day 1 of the menstrual cycle and continues as directed
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follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
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gonadal hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary in response to GnRH; stimulates development of ovarian follicles and release of mature ovum from mature follicles; prepares the body for and supports pregnancy until delivery
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gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
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a hormone produced in and released by the hypothalamus that acts as the central regulator; responsible for regulating the start of puberty, the onset of the menstrual cycle, the development of sex characteristics, and ovulation
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hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
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the use of hormones postmenopause to decrease symptoms and complications of menopause
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hypogonadism
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condition in which testes are undeveloped and the development of sex organs and secondary sex characteristics is delayed or absent
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implanted contraceptive devices
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devices containing a hormone that are place under the skin of the inner upper arm for the purpose of contraception
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intrauterine devices (IUD)
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devices containing either a hormone or copper, designed to be placed within the uterus for the purpose of contraception
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lactation
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the secretion of breast milk by the mammary glands
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luteinizing hormone (LH)
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gonadal hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary in response to GnRH; stimulates development of ovarian follicles and release of mature ovum from mature follicles; prepares the body for and supports pregnancy until delivery
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menarche
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initial menstrual cycle of a female
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menopause
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the cessation of monthly cycles for one year
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menstrual cycle
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cycle of hormone secretion, follicular and ova development, and preparation and shedding of endometrial lining that occurs monthly in females
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osteopenia
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the condition in which bone is losing density
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osteoporosis
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the condition when bone loss is significant and bone has become porous and brittle
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oxytocics
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medications that stimulate the uterus to contract
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perimenopause
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the time when a menstrual cycle undergoes changes preparing for the end of the ability to ovulate and to become pregnant
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phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors
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a group of medications developed to aid in penile erection for the purpose of sexual intercourse
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pregnancy
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the period of time a fetus grows inside the uterus
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progesterone
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primary hormone released by the ovaries; performs many of the same functions as estrogen does to promote maturation of sex organs, prepare the body for pregnancy, and maintain a healthy uterine environment for development of the fetus
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progestin-only contraceptives
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contraceptive drugs that do not have estrogen; they only contain progestin
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quick start method
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a method of initiating oral contraception drugs where the client takes the first dose of the medication on the day of the visit rather than waiting until after a monthly period begins
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sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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infections involving internal and external sex organs that are transmitted by sexual intercourse or intimate contact with sex organs; may be viral, bacterial, or fungal
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Sunday start method
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a method of initiating oral contraceptive drugs where the client takes the first dose of medication on the first Sunday after a menstrual period starts
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teratogenic
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any substance taken by the birthing parent that can cause serious birth defects in a fetus
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tocolytics
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medications that delay uterine contractions by relaxing the uterine muscle
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trophoblasts
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the outer layer of cells of an embryo, which become the placenta