Glossary

Bisphosphonates: A class of FDA-approved prescription drugs that prevent the loss of bone density.

Bone mineral density (BMD): The amount of bone mineral tissue in a segment of bone.

Conjugated estrogens (CE): A treatment that contains a mixture of estrogen hormones used to treat menopausal symptoms.

Dyspareunia: Persistent or recurrent pain during sexual intercourse.

Estrogen: A type of hormone produced by the ovaries that helps to develop and maintain female sex characteristics and the growth of long bones. During menopause estrogen levels decrease. Estrogen hormones can also be laboratory-made and may be used as a type of birth control, or to treat symptoms of menopause, menstrual disorders, osteoporosis, and other conditions.

Estrogen therapy (ET): A form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) available as an oral, skin patch, or vaginal prescription medicine. ET may be used to manage menopausal symptoms, including the prevention of osteoporosis.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): A hormone made by the pituitary gland that plays a role in sexual development and reproduction. FSH also stimulates estrogen production by the ovaries. Sometimes FSH levels are measured to determine if a woman is in menopause.

Formication: Sensations on the skin that present in a range, from severe itching to a feeling that resembles “small insects crawling on the skin” and may be experienced by perimenopausal women.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): A collection of both vaginal and urinary symptoms that are a result of the thinning, drying and inflammation of the lining of the vagina, caused by reduced estrogen. This may also be referred to as vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis).

Hormone therapy (HT): Prescription drugs often used to treatment symptoms of menopause.

Hot flash: This common menopause-related symptom is a sudden feeling of intense warmth that most often affects the face, neck, and chest and may last anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: A type of mental and physical sexual dysfunction in which women lack sexual desire, arousal, orgasmic response, and experience pain during sex for an extended period of time.

Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus, which ends menstrual periods and the ability to become pregnant, but does not result in menopause.

Menopause: The time that marks the permanent end to menstruation and fertility, which is confirmed after one full year without a period.

Naturopathy: Also referred to as naturopathic medicine, is a medical system that combines traditional medical practices and natural remedies to help the body heal itself. Naturopathy is comprised of many therapies, including herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counseling.

Night sweats: Hot flashes during sleep that cause significant sweating and are often associated with menopause.

Osteoporosis: Condition that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases, causing the bone to become fragile and at higher risk for fractures. Menopause significantly increases bone loss and the risk of osteoporosis.

Perimenopause: Meaning “around menopause” is the time when changes in the menstrual cycle and other menopause-related symptoms begin. Perimenopause extends through

menopause (one year after last period).

Postmenopause: The time after menopause considered to be one year after the final menstrual period.

Premature menopause: Menopause that occurs earlier than the normal range of menopause, prior to age 40. Also called early menopause, this may be caused by cancer treatment, surgery, other health conditions, or family history, among other reasons.

Premenopause: The time from the initial onset of menstrual periods (puberty) to perimenopause.

Progesterone: A female hormone released by the ovaries that plays a role in reproductive health, supporting menstruation and helping to maintain the early stages of pregnancy. Progesterone can be made in the laboratory and is often combined with estrogen to treat menopausal symptoms.

Surgical menopause: Induced menopause which is the result of a total or radical hysterectomy.

Vaginal atrophy: See genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Vaginal dryness: Decreased vaginal lubrication often caused by low levels of estrogen related to menopause.

Vaginal lubricant: Non-prescription, water-based product that may be applied to the vagina to reduce friction and discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Vaginal moisturizer: Non-prescription products similar to vaginal lubricants that are designed to trap moisture, hydrate the vaginal tissues, and maintain healthy pH levels in the vagina

Vasomotor symptoms: An umbrella term for hot flashes and night sweats, the most common symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.