Maria the Tutor

· Combination pills: Oral contraceptives containing both estrogen and progestin.

· Placebo: A pill that has no pharmacological effect.

· Mini-pill: An oral contraceptive containing progestin only.

· Emergency contraceptive pills: Oral contraceptives taken after intercourse to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

· Progestin injection: An injection of progestin to prevent pregnancy.

· Implant: A matchstick-size device that is placed under the skin and releases progestin.

· Vaginal ring: A flexible, transparent ring that is inserted into the vagina and releases a combination of estrogen and progestin continuously at a low dose for 1 month.

· Contraceptive patch: A patch applied weekly to the buttocks, abdomen, or upper torso that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy.

· Intrauterine system: A contraceptive device that is inserted into the uterus and releases small amounts of progestin continuously for 3 to 6 years.

· Spermicides: Chemicals that are toxic to sperm and are used as a contraceptive in the form of foam, suppository, cream, jelly, or film.

· Intrauterine device: A device that is inserted into the uterus and worn there as a means of preventing pregnancy.

· Male condom: A latex sheath worn over the penis to prevent sperm from being ejaculated into the vagina; also prevents the spread of STDs.

· Female or internal condom: A polyurethane pouch inserted in the vagina to collect sperm, preventing fertilization.

· Diaphragm: A thick, dome-shaped silicone cup that is stretched over a collapsible ring, designed to cover the cervical opening to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

· Cervical cap: A small, thimble-shaped rubber barrier that fits over the cervix and prevents sperm from entering the uterus.

· Contraceptive sponge: A polyurethane foam disk that contains spermicide and is placed over the cervix to block and absorb semen.

· Sterilization: The process of rendering a person infertile by performing either a vasectomy in the male or tubal ligation in the female.

· Vasectomy: Male sterilization whereby the vasa deferentia are cut and tied to prevent the sperm from being ejaculated out of the penis.

· Castration: Removal of the testicles.

· Tubal ligation: Female sterilization by severing and/or closing the fallopian tubes so that the ovum cannot pass down the tube.

· Laparoscopy: Surgical method whereby a tubular instrument is passed through the abdominal wall.

· Calendar method: A method of birth control whereby the couple has intercourse only during those times of the menstrual cycle when the woman is least likely to get pregnant.

· Basal body temperature method: A method of fertility awareness based on the rise in basal body temperature that signals ovulation.

· Cervical mucus method: A method of fertility awareness that uses changes in cervical mucus as indicators of ovulation.

· Symptothermal method: Combining several natural family planning methods (basal body temperature plus cervical mucus, for example) to achieve greater accuracy in pinpointing ovulation.

· Withdrawal: Withdrawal of the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation, used as an attempt at birth control.

· Abortion: The expulsion of the fetus; can be either spontaneous or induced.

· Infertility: Failure to achieve a pregnancy after 1 year (6 months is she is over 35 years old) of frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse.

· Artificial insemination/intrauterine insemination: Injection of sperm into vagina, cervix, or uterus for the purpose of achieving conception.

· In vitro fertilization: Removing egg cells from a woman, fertilizing them with sperm in the laboratory, and then placing the fertilized egg in the uterus.

· Gamete intrafallopian transfer: The process of inserting sperm cells and egg cells directly into the fallopian tube, where fertilization is expected to occur.

· Zygote intrafallopian transfer: Removing egg cells from a woman, mixing them with sperm in the laboratory, and placing the fertilized egg cells directly into the fallopian tube.

· Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: The process of injecting a single sperm cell directly into a single egg cell to further enhance the possibility of fertilization.

· Zygote: A fertilized egg cell.

· Surrogate mother: A woman who agrees to be impregnated (by artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization), to carry the fetus to term, and then to give the child to the couple, along with all parental rights.