Menopause Glossary

A1C (also known as Hemoglobin A1C or HgbA1c) is a blood test that shows the average blood glucose (sugar) level over the past 2–3 months. It reflects how much glucose is attached to hemoglobin in red blood cells and is used to diagnose or monitor diabetes and prediabetes.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is defined as the bleeding that deviates from the normal menstrual cycle in frequency, severity, or duration.

Adaptogens are natural herbs and plants that help the body resist stress and normalizes physiologic responses.

Amenorrhea is the absence of a woman’s monthly period.

Anal incontinence is defined as loss of anal sphincter control leading to involuntary leakage of gas or solid or liquid stool sufficient to impair quality of life.

Androgenetic alopecia is the thinning of the hair on the scalp in midlife women.

Androgens are a group of hormones present in both women and men.

Anorgasmia is the persistent or recurrent difficulty reaching orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and stimulation, causing distress from said difficulty.

Anovulation is the absence of ovulation, meaning the ovaries do not release an egg during the menstrual cycle. It can occur without noticeable symptoms and may happen occasionally or chronically, often resulting in irregular or absent periods.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are medications used to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling.

Antidepressants are prescription medications used to treat depression and anxiety.

Antihypertensives are medications used to treat high blood pressure.

Antimüllerian hormone (AMH) is a hormone secreted by the ovarian follicles. It reflects the remaining egg supply (ovarian reserve) and is used as a biomarker of reproductive aging.

Anxiety is a condition characterized by excessive nervousness, fear, or worry.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are medications that block the enzyme aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogen.

Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints, which causes pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Asymptomatic means having a condition without noticeable symptoms.

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque (made up of fat, cholesterol, and calcium) builds up inside the arteries. Over time, this narrow the arteries and restricts blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events. (Menopause Society, 2023)

Atrophic vaginitis, also called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), refers to the thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal and urinary tract tissues due to estrogen decline.

Bilateral oophorectomy is the surgical removal of both ovaries.

Bioidentical hormones are lab-made hormones that are chemically identical to those produced naturally by the human body, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Birth control refers to methods used to prevent pregnancy.

The bladder is a muscular organ that is part of the urinary tract system.

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of a person's weight in relation to their height and is a marker of body fat.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a measurement of the amount of minerals (primarily calcium) in a specific volume of bone.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins involved in repairing damaged DNA.

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor that can be malignant (cancerous).

A breast ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of the breast.

The CA 125 test measures the amount of cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) in the blood.

Calcium is a mineral essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth.

A cervical polyp is a noncancerous growth that forms on the cervix, typically arising from the cervical canal.

The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that connects to the top of the vagina.

The clitoris is a highly sensitive, erectile organ located at the front of the vulva, just above the urethral opening.

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the colon and rectum using a flexible tube with a camera.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) includes health approaches outside of mainstream Western medicine.

Conjugated estrogens (CE) are a mixture of estrogen hormones (synthetic or animal-derived) used in hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone loss.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), which reduces blood flow to the heart. It can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular complications.

Custom-compounded hormones are personalized hormone therapies made by pharmacists to match a prescriber’s exact specifications.

A cystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the bladder.

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, most often caused by a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI).

A cystocele, also called anterior vaginal wall prolapse, occurs when the bladder drops from its normal position and bulges into the vaginal wall due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that functions as a precursor, meaning it is a building block used by the body to create other hormones—most notably estrogen and testosterone.

Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life.

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, and difficulty concentrating.

A dermoid cyst (also called a mature cystic teratoma) is a type of benign ovarian tumor made up of tissue like hair, skin, or fat.

Detrusor instability, also referred to as detrusor overactivity or overactive bladder, is a condition in which the bladder muscle (detrusor) contracts involuntarily, even when the bladder isn't full.

Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood glucose (sugar), either due to insufficient insulin (type 1) or insulin resistance (type 2).

Diastolic blood pressure reflects the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats, allowing the heart to fill with blood and receive oxygen.(Solan M, 2022)

A digital mammogram is an imaging test that uses low-dose X-rays to examine breast tissue for signs of cancer or abnormalities.

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the lining of the uterus is scraped or suctioned to remove tissue.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) is a painless imaging test that measures bone mineral density (BMD) to assess risk for osteoporosis and fractures.

Dyslipidemia refers to abnormal levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, such as high total cholesterol, high LDL ("bad") cholesterol, low HDL ("good") cholesterol, or high triglycerides.

Dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstrual cramps that occur before or during menstruation.

Dyspareunia refers to persistent or recurrent pain during or after vaginal intercourse.

Dysplasia refers to abnormal cell growth or development, most commonly in epithelial tissue.

Early menopause occurs when a woman permanently stops menstruating (without a period for 12 consecutive months) earlier than the average age of 45.

Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that removes or destroys the lining of the uterine cavity (endometrium) to treat dysfuntional (heavy) uterine bleeding.

An endometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is taken from the uterine lining (endometrium), typically in an outpatient setting. It’s used to detect abnormalities such as hyperplasia, cancer, or infection.

Endometrial cancer is a malignancy of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium). It is the most common gynecologic cancer in high-income countries and typically occurs in postmenopausal women.

Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition in which the lining of the uterus (endometrium) becomes abnormally thick due to prolonged estrogen stimulation without sufficient progesterone.

An endometrial polyp is a soft, noncancerous growth that forms on the lining of the uterine cavity(endometrium).

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue resembling the uterine lining grows outside the uterus—commonly on ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining—often causing pelvic pain and infertility.

The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterine cavity, which thickens under estrogen stimulation each menstrual cycle and sheds during menstruation if pregnancy does not occur.

Esterified estrogens are a mixture of estrogen compounds derived from plant sources. They are used in hormone therapy (HT) to relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Estradiol is the most potent and predominant form of estrogen in the body before menopause. It regulates the menstrual cycle, supports bone strength, cardiovascular health, and maintains vaginal and urinary tissue integrity.

Estriol is a weaker, naturally occurring estrogen that is primarily produced during pregnancy.

Estrogen refers to a group of hormones—including estradiol, estrone, and estriol—that are essential for reproductive function, bone strength, cardiovascular health, and vaginal tissue maintenance.

An estrogen patch is a transdermal hormone therapy that delivers estradiol through the skin into the bloodstream.

Estrogen plus progestogen therapy (EPT) is a form of combined hormone therapy that includes both estrogen and a progestogen.

Estrogen therapy (ET) refers to the use of estrogen alone (without progestogen) to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and to help preserve bone density.

The fallopian tubes are slender tubes that serve as the pathway for eggs from the ovaries to the uterus after ovulation.

A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) checks for hidden (occult) blood in the stool, which may indicate early colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps.

Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) is the most common type of hair loss in midlife women. It typically presents as diffuse thinning over the crown and mid-scalp, with preservation of the frontal hairline. The hair follicles shrink over time, leading to shorter, finer hair strands and decreased hair density.

Fertile refers to the stage in a woman’s life when she is able to conceive a child—generally between puberty and menopause, with peak fertility in the 20s and early 30s.

Fertilization is the process where a sperm cell merges with an egg (ovum)—typically in the fallopian tube—to form a zygote, marking the beginning of a pregnancy.

Fibroids (also known as uterine leiomyomas) are benign smooth-muscle tumors that develop in the wall of the uterus.

FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates growth of ovarian follicles and helps control the menstrual cycle. Its levels rise as a woman moves toward menopause.

Formication is the sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin when none are present. It’s a form of paresthesia commonly associated with hormonal changes during the menopause transition.

A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. In the context of menopause, fractures are often linked to reduced bone density caused by declining estrogen—heightening the risk of osteoporosis.

FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) is a clinical calculator created by WHO to estimate your 10-year probability of a hip fracture or major osteoporotic fracture (spine, forearm, hip or shoulder), using risk factors such as age, sex, weight, fracture history, smoking, steroid use, and optionally, bone mineral density.

Gabapentin is a non-hormonal prescription medication initially developed to treat seizures and nerve pain. It is commonly prescribed off‑label to alleviate hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), most often HSV‑2, but HSV‑1 can also cause it.

Genital warts, a common sexually transmitted infection, are growths in the genital or anal region caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), most commonly types 6 and 11.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) encompasses a range of genital and urinary symptoms—such as vaginal dryness, irritation, painful intercourse, urinary urgency, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)—resulting from estrogen deficiency during menopause.

Genuine Stress Urinary Incontinence (GSUI) is defined as the involuntary leakage of urine during physical exertion or actions that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising. This condition is commonly observed in premenopausal and postmenopausal women due to weakening of pelvic floor structures and hormonal changes that affect urethral closure pressure.

Female gonads are the ovaries. They are reproductive glands responsible for producing eggs (ova) and the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle and support fertility.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus that controls the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland, coordinating ovarian function, menstrual cycles, and fertility.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection that can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat, or eyes. In women, it’s often asymptomatic but can lead to serious reproductive tract complications if untreated.

A gynecologist is a physician specializing in the health of the female reproductive system—including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina. They diagnose and treat reproductive health issues across the lifespan.

Heart disease refers to conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels—including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. The risk increases after menopause due to hormonal changes, especially the decline in estrogen.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is often referred to as “good cholesterol” because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood, carrying it back to the liver where it can be broken down and eliminated from the body.

A hormone is a chemical messenger produced by glands and released into the bloodstream, where it regulates functions such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, mood, and homeostasis.

Hormone therapy (HT) refers to the use of estrogen alone or in combination with progestogen to relieve menopausal symptoms—like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, with the benefit of supporting long term health by reducing bone loss and risk of cardiovascular disease

A hot flash is a sudden feeling of intense heat in the upper body—typically the face, neck, and chest—often accompanied by sweating, flushing, and a rapid heartbeat. It lasts anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes and is the hallmark vasomotor symptom of menopause.

A group of viruses, some types of which infect the genital tract, mouth, or skin. Certain HPV types—called “high-risk”—can cause cervical and other cancers, while “low-risk” types cause benign conditions like genital warts.

A condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls is too high. It is defined as consistently elevated blood pressure (≥130/80 mm Hg) and is a major cardiovascular risk factor.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is defined as a persistent or recurrent lack of sexual thoughts, fantasies, or desire for sexual activity that causes distress or interpersonal difficulty.

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus with the cervix or without the cervix.

A hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows direct inspection of the uterine cavity using a thin, lighted tube (hysteroscope) passed through the vagina and cervix.

Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine or feces. In the context of menopause, it often describes urinary incontinence—leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or sensing a strong urge to urinate—linked to pelvic floor weakness and estrogen deficiency.