Cycle glossary

From amenorrhea to zygote: every word you'll meet about your cycle, explained in plain words.

A

Adenomyosis · adenomyoma (a localized form): Adenomyosis is a condition in which tissue like the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows into the uterus's muscular wall (myometrium).
Allopregnanolone · ALLO, 3α,5α-THP, progesterone metabolite: Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid made from progesterone, in the ovaries and in the brain.
Amenorrhea · amenorrhoea, absent periods, no periods: Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods.
Androgens · Androgen, male hormones: Androgens are a group of hormones, including testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA and DHEA-S, that are often called male hormones but are made by everyone.
Anemia · Anaemia, low hemoglobin, low haemoglobin: Anemia is a condition in which you have fewer healthy red blood cells or less hemoglobin than normal, so your blood carries less oxygen around the body.
Anovulation · anovulatory cycle, anovulatory bleeding: Anovulation is when the ovaries don't release an egg during a menstrual cycle.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) · AMH, anti-Mullerian hormone, Mullerian-inhibiting substance: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a hormone made by the small, growing follicles in the ovaries.

B

Basal body temperature (BBT) · BBT, resting body temperature, waking temperature: Basal body temperature (BBT) is your body's lowest resting temperature, measured right after waking before you move.
Bloating · Period bloating, abdominal bloating, PMS bloating: Bloating is a feeling of fullness, tightness or swelling in the abdomen, sometimes with a visibly larger belly.
Breakthrough bleeding · BTB, spotting on the pill: Breakthrough bleeding is unscheduled bleeding or spotting while using hormonal contraception, such as the pill, patch, ring, implant or hormonal IUD.
Breast changes in the cycle · cyclical breast changes, cyclic breast pain, premenstrual breast swelling: Breast changes in the cycle are normal shifts in breast size, fullness, tenderness and texture caused by monthly hormones.
Breast tenderness (mastalgia) · Mastalgia, breast pain, cyclical breast pain, mastodynia: Breast tenderness, or mastalgia, is pain, soreness or heaviness in one or both breasts.
Brown discharge · brown spotting, old blood discharge: Brown discharge is vaginal discharge colored by old blood that has had time to oxidize, the way a cut apple turns brown.

C

Cervical mucus · cervical fluid, cervical discharge, CM: Cervical mucus, also called cervical fluid, is the fluid made by glands in the cervix.
Cervical os · External os, internal os, os of the cervix: The cervical os is the opening in the center of the cervix, the narrow passage between the vagina and the uterus.
Cervical position · cervix position, cervix height, SHOW (soft, high, open, wet): Cervical position describes how high or low the cervix sits in the vagina, how firm or soft it feels, and how open it is.
Cervical screening (Pap test) · Pap smear, Pap test, smear test, HPV test, cervical screening: Cervical screening, also called a Pap test, Pap smear or smear test, is a quick test in which a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix to check for high-risk HPV and abnormal cell changes that could develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.
Cervix · neck of the womb, uterine cervix: The cervix is the narrow, lower part of the uterus that connects it to the top of the vagina.
Chasteberry (vitex) · vitex agnus-castus, chaste tree berry, monk's pepper, agnus castus: Chasteberry, or vitex, is the fruit of the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), sold as an herbal supplement for PMS, premenstrual breast pain and irregular cycles.
Chemical pregnancy · Biochemical pregnancy, very early miscarriage: A chemical pregnancy is a very early pregnancy loss that happens shortly after implantation, before anything can be seen on an ultrasound, usually before 5 to 6 weeks.
Clomiphene (Clomid) · Clomid, clomiphene citrate, Serophene: Clomiphene citrate, often sold as Clomid, is a prescription pill used to trigger ovulation in people who don't ovulate regularly, such as some people with PCOS.
Combined contraceptive pill · the pill, combined pill, COC, combined oral contraceptive, birth control pill: The combined contraceptive pill is a daily birth control pill containing two hormones: an estrogen and a progestin.
Conception · fertilization, fertilisation, becoming pregnant: Conception is the moment a sperm fertilizes an egg, usually in a fallopian tube, creating a single cell called a zygote.
Corpus luteum · yellow body, corpus luteum cyst (when it fills with fluid): The corpus luteum is a temporary gland that forms in the ovary from the follicle that released an egg at ovulation.
Cycle day · CD, cycle day 1, CD1, day of cycle: A cycle day is a numbered day of the menstrual cycle.
Cycle length · menstrual cycle length, length of cycle: Cycle length is the number of days from the first day of one period (cycle day 1) up to the day before the next period starts.
Cycle syncing · phase syncing, cycle-based living, menstrual cycle syncing: Cycle syncing is the practice of adjusting things like exercise, food, work and social plans to the four phases of your menstrual cycle.
Cycle variability · cycle-to-cycle variation, cycle irregularity: Cycle variability is how much the length of your menstrual cycle changes from one cycle to the next.

D

Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) · DRSP, PMDD symptom diary, daily symptom rating: The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) is a validated daily symptom chart used to diagnose PMS and PMDD.
Days past ovulation (DPO) · DPO, days post ovulation: DPO stands for days past ovulation: the number of days since you ovulated.
DHEA · Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA-S, DHEAS: DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone made mainly by the adrenal glands, which the body converts into androgens like testosterone and into estrogen.
Due date (EDD) · EDD, estimated due date, estimated date of delivery, EDC: A due date, or estimated due date (EDD), is the predicted date a baby will be born.
Dysmenorrhea · dysmenorrhoea, painful periods, period pain: Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful menstrual periods.

E

Ectopic pregnancy · Tubal pregnancy, extrauterine pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy in which a fertilized egg implants outside the main cavity of the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube.
Egg (ovum) · ovum, ova, oocyte, egg cell: An ovum, or egg, is the female reproductive cell.
Egg retrieval · Egg collection, oocyte retrieval, oocyte pickup: Egg retrieval, also called egg collection, is a short procedure in IVF or egg freezing in which mature eggs are removed from the ovaries.
Egg white cervical mucus (EWCM) · EWCM, egg white discharge, fertile cervical mucus: Egg white cervical mucus (EWCM) is clear, slippery, stretchy cervical fluid that looks like raw egg white.
Embryo · embryonic stage: An embryo is the early stage of a developing pregnancy, from about the second week after fertilization until the end of the eighth week after fertilization (about 10 weeks of pregnancy counted from the last period).
Endometrial biopsy · Uterine biopsy, endometrial sampling, pipelle biopsy: An endometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a doctor takes a small sample of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, to examine it under a microscope.
Endometriosis · endo: Endometriosis is a long-term condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it, most often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic lining.
Endometrium · uterine lining, endometrial lining, womb lining: The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus.
Estradiol · oestradiol, E2, 17-beta estradiol: Estradiol, also written oestradiol or E2, is the strongest and most common form of estrogen during the reproductive years.
Estrogen · oestrogen, estrogens, female sex hormone: Estrogen, spelled oestrogen in British English, is a group of sex hormones made mainly by the ovaries.
Estrogen dominance · oestrogen dominance, estrogen excess, progesterone deficiency (popular use): Estrogen dominance is a term used mostly in wellness and alternative medicine for having too much estrogen compared with progesterone.

F

Fallopian tubes · uterine tubes, oviducts, fallopian tube: The fallopian tubes are two thin tubes, about 10 to 12 cm long, that connect the area near each ovary to the top of the uterus.
Fertile window · fertile days, fertility window, most fertile days: The fertile window is the six-day stretch each menstrual cycle when sex can lead to pregnancy: the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation.
Fertility awareness methods (FAM) · FAM, FABM, fertility awareness-based methods, natural family planning, NFP: Fertility awareness methods (FAM), also called natural family planning, are ways of estimating fertile days by tracking body signs such as basal body temperature, cervical mucus and cycle dates.
Follicle · ovarian follicle, dominant follicle, antral follicle: An ovarian follicle is a small, fluid-filled sac in the ovary that contains one immature egg and the cells that nourish it.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) · FSH, follitropin: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone released by the pituitary gland in the brain.
Follicular phase · proliferative phase, pre-ovulatory phase: The follicular phase is the first part of the menstrual cycle, from the first day of your period until ovulation.

G

GnRH agonist · Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, GnRH analogue, leuprolide, Lupron: A GnRH agonist is a medicine that mimics gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) · GnRH, LHRH, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, gonadorelin: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a hormone made by the hypothalamus in the brain.

H

Heavy menstrual bleeding · menorrhagia, HMB, heavy periods: Heavy menstrual bleeding is period blood loss heavy enough to interfere with your physical, social or emotional life.
Hormonal IUD · levonorgestrel IUD, LNG-IUD, IUS, intrauterine system, hormonal coil, Mirena: A hormonal IUD (intrauterine device, also called an IUS or hormonal coil) is a small T-shaped device placed in the uterus that slowly releases levonorgestrel, a progestin.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) · HRT, menopausal hormone therapy, MHT, hormone therapy: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is treatment that replaces the estrogen the ovaries stop making around menopause, usually with a progestogen as well to protect the uterine lining.
Hot flashes · hot flushes, vasomotor symptoms, night sweats (at night): Hot flashes, called hot flushes in British English, are sudden waves of heat across the face, neck and chest, often with flushing, sweating and a racing heart, followed by chills.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) · hCG, beta hCG, pregnancy hormone: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone made by cells that will become the placenta, starting soon after an embryo implants in the uterus.
Hymen · Vaginal corona: The hymen is a thin, flexible rim or fold of tissue around or partly across the opening of the vagina.
Hypothalamic amenorrhea · HA, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, FHA, hypothalamic amenorrhoea: Hypothalamic amenorrhea is the loss of periods because the hypothalamus in the brain slows its release of GnRH.
Hypothalamus · hypothalamic: The hypothalamus is a small region at the base of the brain that links the nervous system to the hormone system.

I

Implantation · embryo implantation, nidation: Implantation is the moment a fertilized egg, by then a tiny ball of cells called a blastocyst, attaches to and burrows into the lining of the uterus.
Implantation bleeding · implantation spotting: Implantation bleeding is light spotting that some people notice when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, usually 10 to 14 days after conception, around when a period would be due.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) · IVF, in vitro fertilisation, test-tube baby: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment in which eggs are collected from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and one resulting embryo is placed into the uterus a few days later.
Infertility · subfertility, trouble conceiving: Infertility is not getting pregnant after 12 months of regular sex without contraception, or after 6 months if you are 35 or older.
Inhibin · Inhibin A, inhibin B: Inhibin is a hormone made by the granulosa cells of ovarian follicles (and by the placenta in pregnancy) that tells the pituitary gland to release less follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Intermenstrual bleeding · bleeding between periods, spotting between periods, metrorrhagia: Intermenstrual bleeding is any vaginal bleeding that happens between your periods, from light pink or brown spotting to heavier flow.
Iron deficiency anemia · iron deficiency anaemia, low iron, IDA: Iron deficiency anemia is a condition in which the body lacks enough iron to make healthy red blood cells, so the blood carries less oxygen.
Irregular periods · irregular menstrual cycle, irregular menstruation: Irregular periods are menstrual cycles whose length changes a lot from one cycle to the next, usually by more than 7 to 9 days, or cycles that are regularly shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days.

L

Letrozole · Femara, aromatase inhibitor: Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor, a tablet that lowers estrogen production by blocking the enzyme that makes it.
LH surge · luteinizing hormone surge, luteinising hormone surge: The LH surge is a sudden, steep rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) released by the pituitary gland in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
Libido across the cycle · Libido, sex drive, sexual desire: Libido is your sexual desire or sex drive.
Luteal phase · post-ovulatory phase, secretory phase: The luteal phase is the second half of the menstrual cycle, from the day after ovulation until the day before your next period.
Luteal phase defect · LPD, short luteal phase, luteal phase deficiency: A luteal phase defect is a term for a luteal phase that is too short, usually under 10 days, or that produces too little progesterone to support the uterine lining.
Luteal phase support · LPS, luteal support, progesterone support: Luteal phase support is the use of extra progesterone, and sometimes estrogen or hCG, after ovulation or embryo transfer to help the uterine lining stay receptive for implantation and early pregnancy.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) · LH, luteinising hormone, lutropin: Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone made by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain.

M

Menarche · first period, menarche age: Menarche is the medical term for a person's first menstrual period.
Menopause · the change, change of life: Menopause is the point when menstrual periods have stopped permanently because the ovaries no longer release eggs or make much estrogen.
Menorrhagia · heavy menstrual bleeding, HMB, heavy periods: Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual bleeding that is unusually heavy or lasts longer than 7 days.
Menstrual clots · period clots, blood clots in period: Menstrual clots are soft, gel-like clumps of blood, tissue from the uterine lining and proteins that pass during a period.
Menstrual cramps · period cramps, period pain, dysmenorrhea, dysmenorrhoea: Menstrual cramps are throbbing or aching pains in the lower belly, and sometimes the back and thighs, that happen just before and during a period.
Menstrual cup · period cup, moon cup: A menstrual cup is a small, flexible, bell-shaped cup, usually made of medical-grade silicone, that is folded and inserted into the vagina to collect period blood rather than absorb it.
Menstrual cycle · monthly cycle, period cycle, ovarian cycle: The menstrual cycle is the roughly monthly series of hormone-driven changes in the ovaries and uterus that prepares the body for a possible pregnancy.
Menstrual disc · period disc, menstrual disk: A menstrual disc is a shallow, flexible, saucer-shaped period product that is pinched and inserted into the vagina, where it sits high in the vaginal fornix, just below the cervix, to collect period blood.
Menstrual flow · period flow, flow, bleeding volume: Menstrual flow is the amount of blood and tissue that leaves the body during a period.
Menstrual health · Period health, menstrual wellbeing, menstrual hygiene: Menstrual health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in relation to the menstrual cycle, not just the absence of disease.
Menstrual migraine · period migraine, hormonal migraine, catamenial migraine: A menstrual migraine is a migraine attack that happens regularly in the window from 2 days before to 3 days after a period starts, in at least two out of three cycles.
Menstrual phase · menstruation phase, period phase, menses: The menstrual phase is the first phase of the menstrual cycle, when the lining of the uterus sheds and leaves the body as a period.
Menstruation · period, menses, menstrual bleeding: Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus, which leaves the body through the vagina as blood and tissue.
Metrorrhagia · intermenstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods: Metrorrhagia is an older medical term for uterine bleeding that happens at irregular times between expected periods.
Miscarriage · Pregnancy loss, early pregnancy loss, spontaneous abortion: A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the baby could survive outside the uterus: before 20 weeks in the US and 24 weeks in the UK.
Mittelschmerz · ovulation pain, mid-cycle pain: Mittelschmerz is one-sided lower abdominal or pelvic pain that some people feel around ovulation, roughly halfway through the menstrual cycle.
Mood tracking · mood diary, mood journal, mood log: Mood tracking is the habit of recording how you feel, usually once a day, so patterns become visible over weeks and months.

N

Night sweats · Nocturnal hyperhidrosis, sleep hyperhidrosis: Night sweats are episodes of heavy sweating during sleep, enough to soak your nightclothes or sheets, that are not caused by a hot room or heavy bedding.

O

Oligomenorrhea · oligomenorrhoea, infrequent periods: Oligomenorrhea is the medical term for infrequent periods: menstrual cycles that are regularly longer than 35 days, or fewer than about 9 periods in a year.
Ovarian cyst · cyst on ovary, functional cyst: An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside an ovary.
Ovarian reserve · Egg reserve, egg count, ovarian reserve testing: Ovarian reserve is the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries, which declines with age from birth onward.
Ovaries · ovary, female gonads: The ovaries are two small, almond-shaped glands that sit on either side of the uterus, near the ends of the fallopian tubes.
Ovulation · egg release, ovulating: Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from one of the ovaries, triggered by a surge of luteinizing hormone.
Ovulation induction · OI, inducing ovulation: Ovulation induction is fertility treatment that uses medicine to stimulate the ovaries to develop and release an egg in people who don't ovulate, or ovulate rarely.
Ovulation predictor kit (OPK) · OPK, ovulation test, LH test strip: An ovulation predictor kit (OPK) is a home urine test that detects the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that comes 24 to 36 hours before ovulation.
Ovulation spotting · ovulation bleeding, mid-cycle spotting: Ovulation spotting is light vaginal bleeding that some people notice around the time of ovulation, roughly in the middle of their cycle.

P

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) · PID, pelvic infection: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the upper reproductive organs: the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Perimenopause · menopause transition, pre-menopause, perimenopausal: Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when the ovaries gradually make less and more erratic estrogen and progesterone.
Period · menstruation, menses, time of the month: A period is the bleeding that happens when the lining of the uterus sheds and leaves the body through the vagina, usually once a month.
Period poverty · Menstrual poverty, period inequity: Period poverty is the lack of access to affordable menstrual products, clean and private toilets, handwashing facilities, waste disposal and education about periods.
Period tracking app · Period tracker, cycle tracking app, menstrual tracking app, period app: A period tracking app is a phone app that records the dates of your periods, and often symptoms, mood and body signs, to estimate when your next period, fertile window and ovulation are likely.
Period underwear · period pants, period panties, absorbent underwear: Period underwear, also called period pants, are reusable briefs with a built-in, multi-layer absorbent panel that soaks up and holds period blood while keeping the surface feeling dry.
PMS cravings · Period cravings, premenstrual cravings, food cravings before period: PMS cravings are strong urges to eat particular foods, most often chocolate, sweets, salty snacks or carbohydrates, in the week or so before a period.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) · PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome, PMOS, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone condition affecting about 1 in 10 people with ovaries.
Polymenorrhea · Polymenorrhoea, frequent periods, short cycles: Polymenorrhea is the medical term for menstrual cycles that are shorter than normal, so periods come too often: usually every 21 days or less, or under 24 days in newer definitions.
Postpartum period · postnatal period, fourth trimester, puerperium: The postpartum period is the time after giving birth when the body recovers and hormones shift back toward their pre-pregnancy pattern.
Pregnancy test · hCG test, home pregnancy test, HPT: A pregnancy test detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone made after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus.
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) · POI, primary ovarian insufficiency, premature ovarian failure, premature menopause: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is when the ovaries stop working normally before age 40, so periods become irregular or stop and estrogen levels are low.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) · PMDD, severe PMS: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe, cyclical condition in which intense mood symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability or feeling out of control appear in the week or two before a period and lift within a few days of it starting.
Premenstrual exacerbation (PME) · PME, premenstrual worsening, menstrual magnification: Premenstrual exacerbation (PME) is the worsening of an existing condition, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, migraine or epilepsy, in the days before a period.
Premenstrual phase · Late luteal phase, premenstrual week, premenstruum: The premenstrual phase is the last part of the luteal phase, roughly the 5 to 7 days before a period starts.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) · PMS, premenstrual tension, PMT: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a pattern of physical and emotional symptoms that appear in the luteal phase, usually 5 to 10 days before a period, and ease within a few days after bleeding starts.
Progesterone · P4, pregnancy hormone: Progesterone is a steroid hormone made mainly by the corpus luteum after ovulation, and later by the placenta in pregnancy.
Progestin · progestogen, synthetic progesterone, progestagen: A progestin is a synthetic hormone made to act like progesterone in the body.
Prolactin · PRL, milk hormone, lactotropin: Prolactin is a hormone made by the pituitary gland that stimulates breast milk production after birth.
Prostaglandins · PGs, prostaglandin: Prostaglandins are hormone-like chemicals made by many tissues in the body that control inflammation, pain and muscle contraction.
Puberty · adolescence, sexual maturation: Puberty is the stage of development when a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction, driven by rising sex hormones.

R

Reproductive hormones · sex hormones, cycle hormones, menstrual hormones: Reproductive hormones are chemical messengers that control puberty, the menstrual cycle, fertility and pregnancy.
Retrograde menstruation · Retrograde flow, backward menstruation: Retrograde menstruation is the backward flow of some menstrual blood and endometrial cells through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity, instead of out through the cervix and vagina.
Reusable period products · Reusable menstrual products, eco period products, sustainable period products: Reusable period products are menstrual products designed to be cleaned and used for many cycles instead of thrown away.

S

Safe days · safe period, calendar method, rhythm method: "Safe days" is an informal term for days of the menstrual cycle when pregnancy is thought to be unlikely, usually the days outside the predicted fertile window.
Secondary amenorrhea · secondary amenorrhoea, absent periods, missed periods: Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of periods for 3 months or more in someone who previously had regular periods, or for 6 months in someone whose periods were irregular.
Seed cycling · Seed syncing, hormone seed cycling: Seed cycling is a popular wellness practice of eating specific seeds in each half of the menstrual cycle: usually flax and pumpkin seeds in the follicular phase, then sesame and sunflower seeds in the luteal phase, about one tablespoon of each daily.
Serotonin · 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine: Serotonin is a chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, that helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, digestion and pain.
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) · SHBG, sex hormone binding globulin: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein made by the liver that carries testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and estradiol in the blood.
Shettles method · Shettles theory, gender selection timing: The Shettles method is a theory from the 1960s that timing sex relative to ovulation can influence a baby's sex: sex close to ovulation for a boy, and 2 to 3 days before for a girl.
Short menstrual cycle · short cycle, frequent periods, polymenorrhea: A short menstrual cycle is one lasting fewer than 21 days, counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next.
Signs of ovulation · Ovulation symptoms, ovulation signs: Signs of ovulation are the physical changes that show your body is about to release, or has just released, an egg.
Spotting · light bleeding, intermenstrual spotting: Spotting is very light vaginal bleeding outside a normal period, usually a few drops of pink, red or brown blood that need at most a panty liner.
SSRIs for PMDD · SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants for PMDD: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are antidepressant medicines, such as fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine and escitalopram, that increase available serotonin in the brain.
Symptothermal method · Sympto-thermal method, STM, symptothermal FAM: The symptothermal method is a fertility awareness method that combines several body signs, usually basal body temperature, cervical mucus and sometimes cervical position, with calendar rules to identify the fertile window.

T

Tampon · Tampons: A tampon is a small plug of absorbent material, usually cotton, rayon or a blend, that is inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood before it leaves the body.
Testosterone (in women) · Testosterone in women, female testosterone, T: Testosterone in women is an androgen hormone made in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands.
Thyroid and the menstrual cycle · Thyroid and periods, thyroid menstrual cycle, hypothyroidism periods, hyperthyroidism periods: The thyroid and the menstrual cycle are closely linked: thyroid hormones help regulate ovulation and the uterine lining.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) · TSS, toxic shock: Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins released by certain bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus.
Trimester · Trimesters, first trimester, second trimester, third trimester: A trimester is one of three roughly equal stages of a pregnancy, each about 13 to 14 weeks long.
Two-week wait (TWW) · TWW, 2WW, two week wait: The two-week wait (TWW) is the time between ovulation and the day a pregnancy test can give a reliable result, usually around 14 days.

U

Uterine fibroids · fibroids, leiomyomas, myomas, uterine myoma: Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths made of muscle and fibrous tissue that develop in or on the uterus.
Uterus · Womb: The uterus, also called the womb, is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ in the pelvis where a fertilized egg implants and a pregnancy grows.

V

Vaginal discharge · discharge, vaginal fluid, leukorrhea: Vaginal discharge is the fluid made by glands in the cervix and vaginal walls.
Vaginal pH · Vaginal acidity: Vaginal pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the vagina is.
Vaginismus · Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, GPPPD: Vaginismus is an involuntary tightening of the muscles around the vagina when penetration is attempted, making inserting a tampon, having sex or a pelvic exam painful or impossible.
Vulva · External genitals, external genitalia: The vulva is the external part of the female genitals, the parts you can see on the outside.

W

Withdrawal bleed · Withdrawal bleeding, pill bleed, fake period: A withdrawal bleed is bleeding caused by a drop in hormones when you stop taking hormonal contraception for a few days, such as during the pill-free week or placebo pills.
Wrist temperature · Wrist skin temperature, Apple Watch temperature, nightly wrist temperature: Wrist temperature is the skin temperature at your wrist measured overnight by a wearable, such as Apple Watch, and reported as a change from your personal baseline.

Z

Zygote · Fertilized egg, fertilised egg: A zygote is the single cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg, usually in a fallopian tube within a day of ovulation.