| abortifacient | A device or substance that causes an abortion.
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| abortion | The expulsion of the conceptus, either spontaneously or by induction.
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| abstinence | Refraining from sexual intercourse.
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| basal body temperature (BBT) method | A contraceptive method based on a woman's temperature in the morning upon waking; when the temperature rises, the woman is fertile.
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| bioadhesive gel | A spermicide that clings to the cervix and walls of the vagina for up to 24 hours.
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| birth control | Any means of preventing a birth from taking place, including contraception and abortion.
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| calendar (rhythm) method | A contraceptive method based on calculating "safe" days depending on the range of a woman's longest and shortest menstrual cycles.
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| cervical cap | A small rubber contraceptive barrier device that fits snugly over the cervix.
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| cervical mucus method | A contraceptive method using a woman's cervical mucus to determine ovulation.
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| coitus interruptus | The removal of the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation. Also called withdrawal.
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| conceptus | In medical terminology, the developing human offspring from fertilization through birth.
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| condom or male condom | A thin, soft, flexible sheath of latex rubber or polyurethane (or processed animal tissue) that fits over the erect penis to prevent semen from being transmitted and to help protect against sexually transmitted diseases. See also female condom.
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| contraception | The prevention of conception.
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| contraceptive film | A small, translucent tissue that contains spermicide and dissolves into a sticky gel when inserted into the vagina.
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| contraceptive foam | A chemical spermicide dispensed in an aerosol container.
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| culdoscopy | A form of tubal ligation in which an incision is made at the back of the vagina and the tubes are viewed with a culdoscope.
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| culpotomy | A form of tubal ligation in which a small incision is made at the back of the vagina.
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| curettage | Scraping of the inside of the uterus with a small spoon-shaped instrument called a curette.
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| Depo-Provera (DMPA) | An injectable contraceptive containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA).
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| diaphragm | A rubber cup with a flexible rim that is placed deep inside the vagina, blocking the cervix, to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.
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| dilation and evacuation (D & E) | A second-trimester abortion method in which the cervix is slowly dilated and the fetus removed by alternating solution and curettage.
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| emergency contraception | A form of birth control involving the early expulsion of an ovum that may have been fertilized. Also known as postcoital birth control or morning-after birth control.
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| emergency contraception pill (ECP) | A two-dose estrogen-progestin pill taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse to prevent conception or expel a just-fertilized ovum. Also called the Yuzpe Regimen.
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| female condom | A soft, loose-fitting, disposable polyurethane sheath with a diaphragm-like ring at each end that covers the cervix, vaginal walls, and part of the external genitals to prevent conception and to help protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
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| fertility awareness method | One of several contraceptive methods based on a woman's knowledge of her body's reproductive cycle, including calendar (rhythm), basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus, and symptothermal methods.
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| hysterotomy | A second-trimester abortion method in which the fetus is removed through an incision made in the woman's abdomen; an extremely rare procedure.
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| implant | A contraceptive method that involves insertion of thin, matchstick-sized capsules containing a progestin under the skin of a woman's arm.
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| intrauterine device (IUD) | A T-shaped device inserted into the uterus through the cervical os to prevent conception or implantation of the fertilized egg.
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| laminaria | A small stick of seaweed placed into the cervical opening about 6 hours prior to an abortion to dilate the cervix.
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| laparoscopy | A form of tubal ligation using a viewing lens (the laparoscope) to locate the fallopian tubes and another instrument to cut or block and close them.
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| Lunelle | An injectable contraceptive containing both estrogen and progestin.
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| mifepristone | Part of a two-drug regimen (mifepristone with misoprostol) used to terminate early pregnancies. Also known as RU-486.
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| minilaparotomy | A form of tubal ligation in which a small incision is made in the lower abdomen.
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| nonoxynol-9 | The sperm-killing chemical in spermicide.
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| Norplant | The trade name of a contraceptive implant that is inserted under the skin of a woman's arm.
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| oral contraceptive | A series of pills containing synthetic estrogen and/or progesterone that regulates egg production and the menstrual cycle. Commonly known as "the pill."
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| outercourse | A method of birth control using all avenues of sexual intimacy except penile-vaginal intercourse.
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| spermicide | A substance that is toxic to sperm.
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| sponge | A round polyurethane shield that fits over the cervix and is filled with spermicide nonoxynol-9.
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| spontaneous abortion | The natural expulsion of the conceptus, commonly referred to as miscarriage.
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| sterilization or voluntary surgical contraception | A surgical procedure that makes the reproductive organs incapable of producing or "delivering" viable gametes (sperm and eggs).
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| symptothermal method | A fertility awareness method combining the basal body temperature and cervical mucus methods.
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| tubal ligation | The cutting and tying off (or other method of closure) of the fallopian tubes so that ova cannot be fertilized.
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| vacuum aspiration | A first-trimester form of abortion using vacuum suction to remove the conceptus and other tissue from the uterus.
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| vasectomy | A form of surgical sterilization in which each vas deferens is severed, thereby preventing sperm from entering the seminal fluid.
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education