* laparoscopy
A surgical method in which a long, hollow instrument that contains light
and cutting devices, is inserted into the abdominal cavity through an
incision directly below the navel. It is used for diagnosis of medical
difficulties as well as surgical sterilization. The term is also commonly
used alone to refer to a form of female sterilization in which a
laparoscope is used.
* lesbian
A female homosexual.
* lesbo
Pejorative, slang term for a lesbian.
* Leydig cells
Cells within the testes that secrete androgens. Also known as interstitial
cells.
* lez
Pejorative, slang term for a lesbian.
* lezzie
Pejorative, slang term for a lesbian.
* libido
Term used by Freud to refer to sexual energy; the driving force in humans
according to him.
* limbic system
The set of structures around the midbrain involved in regulating sexual
behaviors.
* limerance
Romantic love marked by preoccupation, and often, obsession, with the
loved one.
* lochia
A bloody discharge from the vagina that follows childbirth.
* lubricant
The slippery fluid secreted from the walls of the vagina during sexual
arousal; also available in synthetic form to supplement or replace the
natural version. The synthetic version is also used for activities that
require lubrication such as anal intercourse.
* lubrication
The slippery fluid secreted from the walls of the vagina during sexual
arousal; also available in synthetic form to supplement or replace the
natural version.
* lumpectomy
A surgical procedure for breast cancer in which only the malignant tumor
and surrounding tissue are removed while the rest of the breast is left
intact.
* lust
A very strong sexual urge.
* luteal phase
The phase of the menstrual cycle during which a follicle becomes a corpus
* luteum and then degenerates, releasing progesterone in the process that
stimulates the growth of the uterine lining.
* luteinizing hormone (LH)
A hormone that stimulates female ovulation and male androgen secretion.
* lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
An STD caused by a virus that begins as a lesion at the site of infection,
then develops into a painful swollen abscess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Letter : M
* malignancy
A cancerous growth.
* malignant tumor
A cancerous tumor that invades nearby tissues thereby eventually causing
damage to vital organs.
* mammary gland
The portion of a mature female breast that produces milk.
* mammogram
A type of X-ray of the breast often used to screen for tumors and breast
cancer.
* masochism
A sexual variation in which the individual derives sexual pleasure from
experiencing pain.
* mastectomy
The surgical removal of the breast; usually done as a treatment for breast
cancer.
* Masters and Johnson's four-phase model
A model of the sexual response cycle that divides it into four phases:
excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.
* masturbation
Self-stimulation of the genitals for sexual pleasure.
* meiosis
A form of cell division in which the cell's nucleus undergoes two
consecutive divisions.
* menage a trois
A sexual relationship between three people.
* menarche
The onset of menstruation; the first menstrual period.
* menopause
The cessation of menstruation at the end of a woman's reproductive
capacity usually during late middle age.
* menses
The more-or-less monthly sloughing of the uterine lining which results in
a bloody discharge from the vaginal opening.
* menstrual cycle
The more-or-less monthly process during which the uterus is readied for
implantation of a fertilized ovum. If fertilization does not occur the
uterine lining is then shed.
* menstrual extraction
The removal of the endometrial contents by suction; sometimes used as a
form of abortion or postcoital birth control.
* menstruation
The more-or-less monthly sloughing of the uterine lining which results in
a bloody discharge from the vaginal opening.
* midwife
A person (often a nurse) who acts as a birth attendant.
* mifepristone
The chemical agent in RU-486.
* mini-pill
A birth control pill that, unlike the combination pill, contains a low
dose of progesterone and no estrogen.
* minilaparotomy
A form of tubal ligation in which a small incision is made in the lower
abdomen.
* miscarriage
A spontaneous abortion; a pregnancy that terminates on its own prior to
birth.
* mittelschmerz
Abdominal cramps on either side of the body at the time of ovulation,
often accompanied by a small discharge of blood from the cervix
* modeling
The process of learning behavior through the observation of others.
* molluscum contagiosum
A viral STD characterized by smooth, round, shiny lesions, generally
appearing on the trunk, on the genitals, or around the anus.
* moniliasis
A form of yeast infection.
* monogamy
The mating of one person with another individual with neither engaging in
sexual activity with anyone else.
* mons pubis
In the female, the mound of fatty tissue covering the pubic bone that is
covered by pubic hair; also known as mons veneris.
* mons veneris
The pubic mound; literally, mountain of Venus. Also known as mons pubis.
* morning-after pill
A pill which can be used in emergency situations for preventing pregnancy
after intercourse has occurred.
* motile
Exhibiting motion, such as in live sperm.
* mucous method
A form of fertility awareness in which a woman stretches her cervical
mucus between her fingers to determine the time of ovulation.
* Mullerian ducts
In the embryo, a pair of ducts that eventually develop into the internal
female reproductive system if the fetus is genetically female.
* Mullerian-inhibiting substance
A hormone secreted by the testes in a genetically male fetus that acts to
inhibits the growth and development of the Mullerian-duct system.
* multiparous
A woman who has had more than one baby.
* multiple orgasms
Having several orgasms in a short period of time with no refractory period
in between.
* myotonia
Increased muscle tension, sometimes accompanied by involuntary
contractions, during sexual excitement.
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