The glossary is a compilation of words found in articles on this site and other related terms.

• A - E
• F - K
• L - P
• R - Z

A - E

Anxiety: A feeling of fear, apprehension, nervousness, or dread accompanied by restlessness or tension.

Bioflavonoids: Brightly-colored substances found in fruits and vegetables, and in foods with vitamin C. Bioflavonoids are needed for the absorption of vitamin C. Examples of bioflavonoids are citrin, hesperidin, rutin, flavines, and flavonals.

Calcium: a dietary mineral needed for numerous body functions, including transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and proper heart function. Calcium is also important for bone mineralization.

Clinical trial: An organized research study conducted with at least two groups of patients, one group receiving an experimental treatment, the other a control group (no treatment) for comparison purposes.

Coronary artery disease: A condition caused by narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.

Depression: A condition in which the mood is altered, resulting in a loss of interest in pleasurable activities and difficulty living a normal life.

Estrogen: A female sex hormone that stimulates and maintains female sex characteristics. Synthetic and natural estrogen are used to treat menstrual and menopausal disorders.

F - K

Gynecologist: A physician who specializes in the care of women’s health and reproductive disorders.

Heart disease: An abnormal condition affecting the heart muscle and the blood vessels of the heart.

Hormone therapy: The use of hormones, usually estrogen and prgesterone, as a therapy to treat women experiencing the discomforts of menopause due to falling levels of these hormones in their bodies. In some cases, hormone therapy is used to regulate other hormonal irregularities besides menopause.

Hormones: Chemicals produced by the endocrine glands to control and regulate special cells and organs.

Hot flash: A fleeting sensation of heat that may be accompanied by a flushed (red) face and profuse sweating.

Hysterectomy: The surgical removal of the uterus.

Impotence: The inability to obtain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse.

Incontinence: Loss of bladder or bowel control.

L - P

Male menopause: Subtle changes in the function of the testes that can occur as early as 45 to 50 years, or after the age of 70.

Menopause: The cessation of menstrual cycles in women, accompanied by a drop in hormone levels and other physical changes.

Menstrual cycle: The monthly cycle of hormonal changes from the beginning of one menstrual period to the beginning of the next.

Osteoporosis: A condition in which there is a decrease in bone mass or density, causing bones to become fragile or thin.

Perimenopause: The time in a woman’s life when menstrual periods first become irregular, and falling hormone levels result in the first symptoms of menopause.

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Phytoestrogen: Hormones in plants that are similar to estrogen in women. When consumed, they help to balance out overly high or low estrogen levels.

Phytosterols: Hormones found in plants.

Postmenopause: The time after menopause is completed: at least one year after the total absence of any menstrual period.

Precursor: A signal or object that comes before, or is easily transformed into, something else. Bioflavonoids, for example, are precursors of hormones.

Premature menopause: Menopause that occurs before the age of 40, often caused by a medical disorder or a surgical procedure.

Progesterone: A group of steroid hormones produced during ovulation by the corpus luteum, the adrenals, and the placenta. During the menopausal years, when ovualation slows and stops, progesterone levels fall.

Progestin: Synthetic progesterone, part of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) widely used to manage the symptoms of menopause. Natural progesterone is also sometimes called progestin.

Prostaglandins: Hormone-like fatty acids that influence hormone production, tonify muscles of the heart, uterus, and intestines, and “nourish” the autonomic and central nervous systems.

R - Z

Reduced libido: Decrease in desire for or interest in sexual activity.

Saponins: Soap-like substances found in plants that emulsify (combining oil and water) like soap, improving the body’s absorption of hormones. They also increase the permeability of cellular membranes, encouraging the absorption of nutrients and get rid of unwanted bacteria.

Surgical menopause: Menopause induced by the surgical removal of the ovaries.

Uterus: The small, pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis. The uterus houses the fetus during pregnancy and undergoes changes during menopause.

Vaginal dryness: Inadequate lubication of the vaginal tissues, often associated with menopause.

Vitamin D: A vitamin that enables the body to absorb calcium and deposit it, as needed, in the bones.

Weight-bearing exercise: exercise that moves the muscles and bones against the force of gravity. Examples are using free weights, walking, jogging, and dancing.

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