Medical dictionary

What is endometriosis?Endometriosis is a painful disorder where tissue that usually lines the womb (endometrium) is found outside of the uterus and in other parts of the body.  The tissue appears in the abdomen, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the womb. Other areas for these growths may include:the bladder;bowel; Vagina; cervix, andvulva. In rar

What is endoscopic surgery?The term ‘endoscopic surgery’ encompasses various techniques, such as hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, in which an optical instrument (a tube with illumination connected to a video camera and a monitor) is introduced inside the body via the rectum or through the abdominal wall, permitting visualisation of the inside of an organ or cavity. Endoscopic surgery, as minimal

What is an endoscopy?   Endoscopy is the use of cameras to relay images from inside the body.  The device used, known as an endoscope, is a long, thin, and flexible tube that has a camera at one end as well as a light source.    An endoscopy can be used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, and the results are interpreted by a specialist. Whether the res

What is endourology?   Endourology refers to a specific area in urology in which minimally invasive surgical techniques are used to see into the urinary tract and perform surgery. Kidney stones are extracted, or fragmented, using small endoscopes and instrumentation through areas such as the urethra, bladder and ureter. In addition to removing kidney stones, surgeons can determine what

What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction is the difficulty or inability to achieve or maintain an erection of the penis that results in a satisfactory sexual relationship. It is also known as impotence. Erectile dysfunction is extremely common and increases with age. If it happens frequently, you should see a doctor. What symptoms does it present? The main symptom of erectil

What is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy? Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure which treats kidney stones by breaking them up into smaller pieces. It is a safe procedure which has been in use since the 1980s.    What is it for? The procedure is often used to treat people with stones in the kidney as well as the ureter. It can be less pain

What is female infertility?   Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse for women under 35, or after six months for women over 35. It can also refer to the inability to carry a pregnancy to full term.   For a pregnancy to occur, a sequence of events must happen: the release of an egg from the ovaries, i

What is female urology? Urology is a field of medicine focussing on diseases of the urinary tract system, which includes include the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. Female and reconstructive urology is a sub-specialty of urology that treats and assesses patients with urinary incontinence, urological diseases and the reconstruction of the urinary tract. Fema

What is fertility preservation? Fertility preservation is the process of collecting, freezing, and storing eggs, sperm and embryos as a way of protecting an individual’s ability to have children in the future. This treatment is particularly relevant for people undergoing medical treatments or facing life circumstances that could impair their fertility, such as cancer therapies,