Medical dictionary

What is assisted reproductive technology (ART)?Assisted reproductive technology (ART) aims to help women that want to become pregnant who may have had some difficulties in doing so through sexual intercourse alone. Some of these techniques include artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation (IVF). There are a variety of treatments, but it depends on the individual circums

What are benign breast lumps? A benign breast lump is caused by the excessive growth of normal cells and tissues. The growth is not cancerous; it consists of tissue that helps to support the breast. There are common causes, which include changes in tissue, an infection, injury and medicines. Breast tissue is sensitive to hormone levels that change during the menstrual cycle. The most common typ

What are bladder problems? Men and women can experience a variety of bladder conditions, with some being more common in one gender than the other. Bladder problems can be described as abnormal bladder function. Some of the most common bladder problems are: Urinary tract infections Overactive bladder Urinary retention Incontinence (stress, urge, overflow, total) I

What is breakthrough bleeding? Breakthrough bleeding is vaginal bleeding that occurs between a woman's monthly menstrual periods, particularly in women who are using hormonal birth control.  What are the causes of breakthrough bleeding? The causes of breakthrough bleeding can include: uterine fibroids miscarriage ectopic pregnancy underactive thyroid cervical or ute

What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the cells of the breasts, mainly in women but men can also be affected. It is the most common type of cancer in the UK, with approximately one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, and around one in 870 men develop it. Although it is the most common form of cancer, the recovery rate is high if

What are breast lumps? A breast lump is a mass in the breast that can vary in size and texture. They are sometimes painful and can feel like a knot, bulge, or swelling around the breast or armpit area. Most of the time, breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous). It is normal for breast tissue to feel lumpy, but if you notice any new lumps, or ones that stay after a menstrual period, it&rs

What is breast pain? Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, is pain or tenderness around the breast area. It’s a common complaint among women and can appear as a dull, heavy andaching pain or a sharp burning pain. It can range from mild to severe and the duration varies. Pain may appear: Just before your period - two to three days before you may experience some form of mild to moder

What is breast reconstruction? Breast reconstruction is performed after a mastectomy or a lumpectomy; in some cases, the reconstruction is delayed a few months or years after the breast cancer surgery. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and takes about 8 hours. Why is it done? Breast reconstruction is primarily done for aesthetic reasons, and leads to marked improve

What is a caesarean? A caesarean (also referred to as caesarean section or C-section), is performed to surgically remove an unborn baby born from its mother’s womb via an incision through the mother's abdomen. In most cases, it is a safe procedure for both the mother and the baby. However, being a surgical procedure, it does involve the possible risks of any surgical inte