Endometriosis Dictionary

abdominal cavity: The cavity between the abdominal wall and the spine.

adenomyosis: Abnormal growth of the endometrium into the uterine walls.

adhesions: Scar tissue caused by endometriosis lesions that can bind to other organs. Adhesions can be caused by surgery.

adnexal mass: An abnormal mass near the ovaries or fallopian tubes.

adnexal torsion: A twisted fallopian tube.

amenorrhea: The abnormal absence of menstruation.

androstenedione: A male sex hormone that also occurs in women and plays a role in ovulation.

anovulation: The inability or failure to ovulate.

antepartum: The final period of a pregnancy, just before labor and delivery.

artificial insemination: The use of artificial means to fertilize an egg and deliver it to a woman's uterus.

cervical mucus: A thick mucus plug that blocks the cervix opening. Cervical mucus thins approximately halfway through the menstrual cycle, allowing sperm to pass through the cervical opening.

cervical smear: A sample of cervical mucus gathered for examination.

cervix: The narrow end of the uterus.

chocolate cyst: Another term for an endometrioma.

cilia: Tiny projections inside the fallopian tubes. Cilia resemble fine hair and wave in unison to transport an egg down the tube into the uterus.

coagulation: The removal of endometriosis by killing endometrial lesions with heat.

D&C (dilation and curettage): A surgical procedure. The cervix is artificially dilated so the inside of the uterus can be scrapped clean of growths, lesions or tumors.

danazol: A synthetic androgen (male sex hormone) used to treat endometriosis.

DHEAS (dehydroepiandrostone): A male sex hormone that also occurs in women and plays a role in ovulation.

dysmenorrheal: Pain during menstruation.

dyspareunia: Pain during intercourse.

ectopic: Occurring in an abnormal location.

ectopic pregnancy: An unviable pregnancy that occurs when the egg implants outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies usually occur in the fallopian tubes.

endometrial cells: Cells that make up the endometrium, the layer of tissue that lines the inside of the uterus.

endometrioma: An ovarian cyst that occurs if endometriosis affects an ovary. Also called a chocolate cyst, as the cyst is filled with old blood.

endometriosis: A condition when endometrial tissue, or tissue very similar to endometrial tissue, grows outside of the uterus.

endometrium: The tissue lining the inside of the uterus. The endometrium nourishes implanted embryos and is shed as part of the menstrual cycle.

estrogen: A female hormone produces by the ovaries.