Glossary Terms

Epidural: Referring to the space between the bone of vertebral column and the meninges of the brain or spinal cord | An injection administered in the epidural space of the vertebral column

Episiotomy: a surgical incision made in the area between the vagina and anus (perineum). This is done during the last stages of labor and delivery to expand the opening of the vagina to prevent tearing during the delivery of the baby.

Erectile Dysfunction: (ED), formerly known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough to engage in sexual intercourse.

Estradiol: The major sex hormone present in females.  Most estrogen in women is produced by the cells of the ovaries, and some is produced by fat cells and adrenal.  In men, smaller amounts of estradiol are produced by fat cells, testes, and the adrenals.

Estrogen: Female hormone produced by the ovaries and released by the follicles as they mature. Responsible for female sexual characteristics, estrogen stimulates and triggers a response from at least 300 tissues, and may help some types of breast cancer to grow. After menopause, the production of the hormone gradually stops.

Fallopian Tubes: The narrow ducts leading from a woman’s ovaries to the uterus. After an egg is released from the ovary during ovulation, fertilization (the union of sperm and egg) normally occurs in the fallopian tubes.