Glossary

Anaemia         
Low haemoglobin blood count. May give rise to symptoms of tiredness and breathlessness, if severe.

Cervix     
Neck of the womb situated at the top of the vagina.

Climacteric     
The years around the menopause (last menstrual period) when symptoms tend to be at their worst.

Follicle     
Potential eggs, in the ovary, awaiting stimulation by FSH.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)     
Hormone produced in the brain to make the ovaries work, producing eggs and oestrogen.

Haemoglobin     
Red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. If the haemoglobin level in the blood is reduced, this is anaemia.

Luteinising hormone (LH)     
A hormone produced along with FSH to stimulate egg production in the ovaries.

Menopause     
The time of the last menstrual period, when oestrogen levels fall.

Oestradiol     
This is the main female hormone, oestrogen. Oestrogen is produced in the ovaries in the form of '17 beta oestradiol'.

Oestrogen     
A term used to describe hormones with the same action as oestradiol.

Oocytes     
Eggs released from the ovary.

Ovary     
White organ, the size of a large grape, one situated each side of the uterus. Eggs are released from the ovary during each menstrual cycle.

Perimenopause     
The time around the last menstrual period when symptoms tend to be at their worst.

Phytoestrogens     
Plant derived oestrogen-like substances which may help with menopausal symptoms.

Pituitary     
Small gland in the brain which produces FSH and LH.

Progesterone     
Hormone produced by the ovary to help implantation of the fertilised egg for pregnancy. This hormone also protects the endometrium from the stimulation of oestrogen.

Progestogen     
Synthetic type of progesterone, much more potent than progesterone.

Uterus     
Womb, situated at the top of the vagina, above the cervix.

Vagina     
"Front passage"., leading from the skin surface to the cervix. Stretches to allow for childbirth.