Obstetrics and Gynecology Key Terms

Become familiar with the terms used by OB/GYNs
By Casey Holley As with most medical professionals, OB/GYNs have their own terminology. However, all of the jargon used in this specialty can be easily translated into layman terms. Having a complete understanding of terms that are common in an OB/GYN office will prepare you for understanding your care and helping others to understand the care they receive. This is especially true if you are dealing with juveniles or rape victims, as is common with some social workers.
 

Fetal presentation

Fetal presentation refers to the part of a baby's body that's going to come down the birth canal first. A vertex presentation is a head-down delivery. There are three types of buttocks-first, or breech, presentations: frank, complete and footling. Transverse presentation, shoulder presentation and compound presentation are the other forms of abnormal presentations.
Try: Brookside Associates offers an in-depth look into the various fetal presentations an OB/GYN will have to cope with during deliveries.

Contraceptives

Contraceptives, or birth control, are used to prevent pregnancy. Intrauterine devices, birth control pills, cervical caps and sterilization are different types of contraceptives.
Try: HealthyWomen.org provides information about contraceptives. This information includes how the contraceptives work, descriptions of each type of contraceptive and its side effects.

Colposcopy

A colposcopy is a procedure in which an OB/GYN examines the cervix. This procedure is usually done after a pap smear comes back as abnormal. However, this procedure may also be done to check a cervix prior to, during and after delivery of a baby.
Try: You can find information about a colposcopy on the Mayo Clinic website. It includes detailed information on what happens during the procedure.

Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is characterized by menstrual cramps that are severe enough to keep a female from doing her normal daily activities. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea starts when a female first starts menstruating. Secondary dysmenorrhea occurs as the result of another problem, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or an injury to the uterine area.
Try: University of Virginia Health System offers valuable information about dysmenorrhea, including symptoms, risk factors and treatments.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis is a term that is used to describe different vaginal infections. Trichomonas vaginitis is caused by a protozoa. This is considered a sexually transmitted disease. Yeast infections are considered a type of vaginitis, and bacterial vaginitis is the most common type.
Try: The Illinois Department of Public Health provides in-depth information about vaginitis.

Rectocele

A rectocele is a condition in which part of the rectum bulges through the fascia, which is the fibrous tissue that separates the vagina from the rectum.
Try: HealthCentral.com offers information on what causes a woman to develop a rectocele. Methods of diagnosis and symptoms are included on this website.