A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

malignancy
A cancerous growth.

malignant tumor
A cancerous tumor that invades nearby tissues thereby eventually causing damage to vital organs.

mammary gland
The portion of a mature female breast that produces milk.

mammogram
A type of X-ray of the breast often used to screen for tumors and breast cancer.

masochism
A sexual variation in which the individual derives sexual pleasure from experiencing pain.

mastectomy
The surgical removal of the breast; usually done as a treatment for breast cancer.

Masters and Johnson's four-phase model
A model of the sexual response cycle that divides it into four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

masturbation
Self-stimulation of the genitals for sexual pleasure.

meiosis
A form of cell division in which the cell's nucleus undergoes two consecutive divisions.

menage a trois
A sexual relationship between three people.

menarche
The onset of menstruation; the first menstrual period.

menopause
The cessation of menstruation at the end of a woman's reproductive capacity usually during late middle age.

menses
The more-or-less monthly sloughing of the uterine lining which results in a bloody discharge from the vaginal opening.

menstrual cycle
The more-or-less monthly process during which the uterus is readied for implantation of a fertilized ovum. If fertilization does not occur the uterine lining is then shed.

menstrual extraction
The removal of the endometrial contents by suction; sometimes used as a form of abortion or postcoital birth control.

menstruation
The more-or-less monthly sloughing of the uterine lining which results in a bloody discharge from the vaginal opening.

midwife
A person (often a nurse) who acts as a birth attendant.

mifepristone
The chemical agent in RU-486.

mini-pill
A birth control pill that, unlike the combination pill, contains a low dose of progesterone and no estrogen.

minilaparotomy
A form of tubal ligation in which a small incision is made in the lower abdomen.

miscarriage
A spontaneous abortion; a pregnancy that terminates on its own prior to birth.

mittelschmerz
Abdominal cramps on either side of the body at the time of ovulation, often accompanied by a small discharge of blood from the cervix

modeling
The process of learning behavior through the observation of others.

molluscum contagiosum
A viral STD characterized by smooth, round, shiny lesions, generally appearing on the trunk, on the genitals, or around the anus.

moniliasis
A form of yeast infection.

monogamy
The mating of one person with another individual with neither engaging in sexual activity with anyone else.

mons pubis
In the female, the mound of fatty tissue covering the pubic bone that is covered by pubic hair; also known as mons veneris.

mons veneris
The pubic mound; literally, mountain of Venus. Also known as mons pubis.

morning-after pill
A pill which can be used in emergency situations for preventing pregnancy after intercourse has occurred.

motile
Exhibiting motion, such as in live sperm.

mucous method
A form of fertility awareness in which a woman stretches her cervical mucus between her fingers to determine the time of ovulation.

Mullerian ducts
In the embryo, a pair of ducts that eventually develop into the internal female reproductive system if the fetus is genetically female.

Mullerian-inhibiting substance
A hormone secreted by the testes in a genetically male fetus that acts to inhibits the growth and development of the Mullerian-duct system.

multiparous
A woman who has had more than one baby.

multiple orgasms
Having several orgasms in a short period of time with no refractory period in between.

myotonia
Increased muscle tension, sometimes accompanied by involuntary contractions, during sexual excitement.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #