Medical dictionary

What is dyspareunia?   Dyspareunia (painful sex) is a recurrent or continuous pain in the genital or pelvic region, during or after sex. It is quite common in both men and women and can be caused by a variety of things, including an infection, or physical and psychological problems. A survey found that one in 13 women in the UK experiences painful intercourse. It is important th

What is early menopause? Most women begin menopause, which is when the periods stop, between the ages of 45 and 55. Early menopause occurs before age 45 and premature menopause refers to onset before age 40. What are the causes of early menopause? Early menopause occurs naturally if a woman’s ovaries stop making normal levels of certain hormones, including the hormone oestrogen.

How is early pregnancy defined? Early pregnancy is a crucial period in the development of a foetus. It is defined as the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and it is a time when the foetus undergoes rapid growth and development. During this time, the body undergoes significant changes as well, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. What are the symptoms of early pregnancy? The most common

What is an ectopic pregnancy?   In a normal pregnancy, the fertilised egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy involves the fertilised egg implanting and growing outside the uterus, in places such as:  the fallopian tube  the ovary  the cervix  the abdominal cavity    How common is ectopic pregnancy? 

What is egg donation? Egg donation is a process in which a woman donates her eggs to help another woman conceive. The procedure forms part of assisted reproduction treatment. After the eggs are extracted from the donor, a doctor will then fertilise them in a laboratory and transfer the resulting embryos to the recipient’s uterus.   Apart from this, a woman may also choose t

What is egg freezing? Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a method of preserving a woman’s eggs, enabling her to have the chance of having a baby in the future. As women get older, they typically produce fewer eggs, and often the viability of the eggs also falls, meaning that the chances of conceiving naturally also decrease. Freezing eggs at a younger age, and using them lat

What is an endocrine test? An endocrine test is a test carried out to detect or rule out problems with various different organs and body parts. endocrinologist uses diagnostic tests for various reasons: To find out the levels of various hormones in a patient's body. To check if the endocrine glands are working correctly. To identify the cause of an endocrinological problem. To c

What is endometrial cancer? Endometrial cancer begins in the layer of the cells that form the lining of the uterus, which is the organ where foetal development (reproduction) occurs. It is sometimes known as uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer is usually detected early because it produces abnormal vaginal bleeding. Currently, the exact cause is not known but it may be related to inc

What are endometrial polyps? Endometrial polyps, otherwise known as uterine polyps, are tissue growths in the inner lining of the uterus. While these polyps are usually benign (non-cancerous), they can sometimes be cancerous or develop to be cancerous. Polyps can vary in size and shape, and you can also have multiple polyps. Most polyps are contained within the uterus, but on occasion they c