Adrenal [uh DREE nuhl] glands: two secretory glands perched atop the kidneys and surrounded by the protective fat capsule of the kidneys; secrete cortisol, androgens, and the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Androgen [AN droh jen]: steroid hormone that promotes male characteristics; testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) have the greatest biological potency; androgenic hormones are internal endocrine secretions circulating in the bloodstream and are produced by the adrenal glands in both sexes, by the ovaries in women, and by the testes in men under stimulationfrom the pituitary gland.

Anorgasmia [AN or GAZ mee uh]: sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to achieve orgasm.

Atrophy [AT roh fee]: wasting or diminution of size or physiologic activity of a part of the body because of disease or other influences.

Autonomic [AW toh NAHM ik] nervous system: regulates involuntary function, including the activity of the cardiac muscle, smooth muscles, and glands; the autonomic nervous system has two divisions: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasym-pathetic nervous system.

Cystitis [sis TIGH tis]: inflammatory condition of the urinary bladder and ureters characterized by pain, urgency and frequency of urination, and hematuria (abnormal presence of blood in the urine).

Dyspareunia [dis pah ROO nee uh]: abnormal pain during sexual intercourse.

Endometriosis [EN doh mee tree OH sis]: abnormal gynecologic condition characterized by ectopic growth and function of endometrial tissue.

Episiotomy [uh PEEZ ee AHT uh mee]: surgical procedure in which an incision is made in a woman's perineum to enlarge her vaginal opening for delivery of a baby.

Fibroid [FIGH broyd]: benign tumor derived from smooth muscle; may occur in any part of the uterus, although it is most frequently found in the body of the organ; also called leiomyoma [LIGH oh migh OH muh] of the uterus.

Fibromyalgia [FIGH broh migh AL juh]: form of nonarticular rheumatism characterized by musculoskeletal pain, spasm and stiffness, fatigue, and severe sleep disturbance.

Menopause [MEN oh pawz]: cessation of menses; the absence of menses for one year. Estrogen, progesterone and ovarian androgens decrease due to adult-onset ovarian failure.

Multiple sclerosis [sklur OH sis]: progressive disease characterized by demyelination of nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord; demyelination refers to destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers.

Neurotransmitter [noo roh TRANZ mih tuhr]: any one of numerous chemicals that modify or result in the transmission of nerve impulses between synapses.

Prolactin [proh LAK tin]: hormone produced and secreted into the bloodstream by the anterior pituitary gland; acting with other hormones, prolactin stimulates the growth of the mammary glands; prolactin is essential for initiating and maintaining milk production.

Psychotropic [SIGH koh TROH pik]: exerting an effect on the mind or modifying mental activity, as in psychotropic medications.

Uterine prolapse: relaxation of the uterine support ligaments and descent of the uterus into the vagina.

Vaginismus [vaj in IZ mus]: psycho physiologic genital reaction in women characterized by intense contraction of the perineal and paravaginal musculature, tightly closing the vagina; occurs before intercourse or a pelvic examination in response to fear of pain.

Vaginitis [va juh NIGH tuhs]: inflammation of the vaginal tissues.

Vulva [VUHL vuh]: external parts of the female genital organs.

Vulvodynia [VUHL voh DIN ee uh]: chronic pain and discomfort in the female external genitals.

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