Glossary
Antidepressant: A medication that is used to treat depression.
Deep Vein Thrombosis: A condition in which a blood clot forms in veins in the leg or other areas of the body.
Estrogen: A female hormone produced in the ovaries.
Hormone: A substance made in the body by cells or organs that controls the function of cells or organs. An example is estrogen, which controls the function of female reproductive organs.
Hormone Therapy: Treatment in which estrogen and, often, progestin are taken to relieve the symptoms caused by the low levels of these hormones.
Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus.
Menopause: The time in a woman’s life when menstruation stops; defined as the absence of menstrual periods for 1 year.
Menstrual Cycle: The monthly process of changes that occur to prepare a woman’s body for possible pregnancy. A menstrual cycle is defined from the first day of menstrual bleeding of one cycle to the first day of menstrual bleeding of the next cycle.
Osteoporosis: A condition in which the bones become so fragile that they break more easily.
Ovaries: The paired organs in the female reproductive system that contain the eggs released at ovulation and produce hormones.
Perimenopause: The period before menopause that usually extends from age 45 years to 55 years.
Progestin: A synthetic form of progesterone that is similar to the hormone produced naturally by the body.
Urethra: A tube-like structure through which urine flows from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Uterus: A muscular organ located in the female pelvis that contains and nourishes the developing fetus during pregnancy.
Vagina: A tube-like structure surrounded by muscles leading from the uterus to the outside of the body.