A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abnormal uterine bleeding: Any bleeding that is outside the normal pattern of an individual woman's menstrual bleeding. See menorrhagia and metrorrhagia.

Adenomyosis: the presence of endometrial tissue within the myometrium. Learn more.

Asherman's syndrome: the occurrence of adhesions (synechiae or bands of scar tissue) within the uterus such that the cavity becomes partly obliterated. Symptoms are a decrease in menstrual flow, increased cramping and abdominal pain, possible eventual cessation of menstrual cycles (amenorrhea), and infertility. It may occure secondary to a uterine infection (endometritis), surgical scraping or cleaning of tissue from the uterine wall (dilatation and curettage [D and C]), or other uterine surgery. It can be treated with hysteroscopy.

Chronic pelvic pain: (as defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) 3 month of continuous pelvic pain or 6 months of cyclic pelvic pain.

COX-2 inhibitor: A class of anti-inflammatory drugs that works by blocking an enzyme (COX-2) in your body that can cause pain.

Cystoscopy: looking inside the bladder with a camera to aid in diagnosis. Cystoscopy is often done with hydrodistention in supsected interstitial cystitis, this may be both diagnostic and therapeutic. Learn more.

Deep infiltrating endometriosis: Seen in approximately 5% of patients with endometriosis. Nodules, inflammatory lesions, or "implants" are seen in he deep areas of the pelvis, pelvic floor, and in between the rectum and vagina.

Dilation and Curettage ( D and C): a procedure used for many indications including the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding. Learn more. See picture of procedure

Dysmenorrhea: painful menses

Dyschezia: (dis - kee - tzee - uh) painful bowel movements

Dyspareunia: (dis - pair - yoo - nee - uh) painful intercourse

Dysuria: painful urination

Endometriosis: the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Learn more

Fibroid: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female genital tract. You might hear them referred to as "fibroids" or by several other names, including leiomyoma, leiomyomata, myoma and fibromyoma. Fibroids are noncancerous (benign) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. While fibroids do not always cause symptoms, their size and location can lead to problems for some women, including pain and heavy bleeding. Fibroid tumors are most common in African American women. Fibroids can be treated with medical therapy and with minimally invasive surgical therapy including uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). Click here for more information about fibroids.

Hysteroscopy: looking and operating inside the uterus with a small camera.

Interstitial Cystitis: A condition of the bladder that is caracterized by the symptoms of urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and pain. It is often accompanied by a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, painful intercourse (dyspareunia), and / or generalized pelvic pressure or discomfort.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a problem that affects the bowel which can cause symptoms of cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and pain. Learn more.


Laparoscopy: looking and operating inside the abdominal cavity with a small camera. Learn more

Menorrhagia: menstrual bleeding lasting more than 7 days.

Metrorrhagia: bleeding in between normal menses.


Post ablation sydrome: A condition that arises when there is some active endometrial tissue present after an endometrial ablation. This condition can be extremely painful. Most often it requires a hysterectomy that can be performed through a laparoscope.

Potassium Sensitivity Test (PST): a tool to aid in the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. A positive PST can hep guide additional treatment.

Pudendal Nerve Entrapment: rare cause of pelvic pain in which the pudendal nerve is compressed between some of the ligament, tendon, and bony structures of the pelvis. Learn more

Quality of life: Refers to your ability to enjoy normal, every day activities. Generally encompasses physical health, psychological health, social functional status, and ability to carry your normal daily living.

Tricyclic antidepressants: A family of prescription medications used to treat pain and depression by correcting chemical imbalances in the brain. Some commonly used tricyclic antidepressants are amitriptyline (Elavil®), desipramine (Norpramin®), nortriptyline (Pamelor®), and protriptyline (Vivactil®).


Urinary Urgency: The need to run to the bathroom when the urge to urinate presents.

Urinary Frequency: Feeling the need to urinate more than 8 times per day.
Uterus: Also known as the womb. It is made up mostly of muscle. The muscle of the uterus is called the myometrium.

Vulvodynia: pain located in the external genitalia or the area outside the vagina known as the vulvae. Vulvodynia is a disease that can be divided into two problems - vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and dysesthetic vulvodynia