| contraceptive | Any agent that can prevent conception; condoms, diaphragms, intrauterine devices, and oral contraceptives are examples.
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| sexually transmitted disease (STD) | Any of several contagious diseases contracted through intimate sexual contact.
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| contraceptive failure rate | The percentage of women using aparticular contraceptive method who experience an unintended pregnancy in the first year of use.
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| continuation rate | The percentage of women who continue to use a particular contraceptive after a specified period of time.
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| oral contraceptive (OC) | Any of various hormone compounds (estrogen and progestins) in pill form that prevent conception by preventing ovulation.
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| fertility | The ability to reproduce.
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| Pap test | A scraping of cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope to detect cancer.
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| intrauterine device (IUD) | A plastic device inserted into the uterus as a contraceptive.
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| male condom | A sheath, usually made of thin latex (synthetic rubber), that covers the penis during sexual intercourse; used for contraception and to prevent STDs.
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| ejaculation | An abrupt discharge of semen from the penis after sexual stimulation.
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| spermicide | A chemical agent that kills sperm.
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| diaphragm | A contraceptive device consisting of a flexible, dome-shaped cup that covers the cervix and prevents sperm from entering the uterus.
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| toxic shock syndrome (TSS) | A bacterial disease usually associated with tampon use; can also occur in men; symptoms include weakness, cold and clammy hands, fever, nausea, and headache. TSS can progress to life-threatening complications, including very low blood pressure (shock) and kidney and liver failure.
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| cervical cap | A thimble-shaped cup that fits over the cervix, to be used with spermicide.
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| sponge | A contraceptive device about 2 inches in diameter that fits over the cervix and acts as a barrier, spermicide, and absorbent of seminal fluid.
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| douche | To apply a stream of water or other solutions to a body part or cavity such as the vagina; not a contraceptive technique.
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| abstinence | Avoidance of sexual intercourse; a method of contraception.
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| fertility awareness method (FAM) | A method of preventing conception based on avoiding intercourse during the fertile phase of a woman's cycle.
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| sterilization | Surgically altering the reproductive system to prevent pregnancy. Vasectomy is the procedure in males; tubal sterilization or hysterectomy is the procedure in females.
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| vasectomy | The surgical severing of the ducts that carry sperm to the ejaculatory duct.
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| vasa deferentia | The two ducts that carry sperm to the ejaculatory duct; singular, vas deferens.
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| tubal sterilization | Severing or in some manner blocking the oviducts, preventing eggs from reaching the uterus.
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| laparoscopy | Examining the internal organs by inserting a tube containing a small light through an abdominal incision.
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| hysterectomy | Total or partial surgical removal of the uterus.
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| abortion | The expulsion or removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus
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| suction curettage | Removal of the embryo or fetus by means of suction; also called vacuum aspiration.
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| manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) | The vacuum aspiration of uterine contents shortly after a missed period using a handheld syringe.
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| dilation and evacuation (D & E) | The method of abortion most commonly used between 13 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. After dilation of the cervix, both vacuum aspiration and curettage instruments are used as needed.
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