Reproduction is a touchy subject, complete with an extensive vocabulary of medical terminology. Make sure you take the time to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of the female reproductive system. Common female reproductive conditions There’s more to the female reproductive system than making babies. With all that equipment, there’s bound to be a fair share of technical difficulties ranging from the downright annoying to the long-lasting: Amenorrhea: Absence of menstrual period Cervicitis: Inflammation of the cervix Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstrual periods Dyspareunia: Painful or difficult intercourse Endometritis: Inflammation of endometrium Gynatresia (atresia): Absence of normal body opening (an occlusion); gynatresia usually refers to part of female genital tract, the vagina HRT (hormone replacement therapy): Replacement of hormones to treat menopausal symptoms Hydrosalpinx: Water in fallopian tube Mastitis: Inflammation of the breast occurring during breastfeeding, usually bacterial in nature Menometrorrhagia: Excessive menstrual flow both during and between menstrual periods Menorrhagia: Heavy menstrual period Oophoritis: Inflammation of ovary PMD (premenstrual dysphoric syndrome): Used to describe severe premenstrual syndrome, which results in a week or two of hormonally triggered clinical depression every month PMS (premenstrual syndrome): Cyclic disorder involving physical and emotional symptoms in the premenstrual phase; symptoms include fatigue, bloating, tension, and irritability Vaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina Some conditions of the female reproductive system are specifically related to pregnancy and childbirth: Abruptio placentae: Premature separation of placenta from the uterine wall causing bleeding and a rigid, painful abdomen and requiring emergency cesarean section Dystocia: Difficult or abnormal labor Eclampsia: Severe complication of pregnancy involving convulsions and/or coma in a pregnant female Ectopic pregnancy: Pregnancy occurring outside the uterus (tubal pregnancy) requiring emergency surgery Intrauterine fetal death: Fetal death occurring before expected date of birth Missed abortion: A fetal demise has occurred but miscarriage by expulsion has not taken place Placenta previa: Placenta develops in the lower uterine wall and may cover the cervix, blocking the birth canal and requiring a C-section; can be diagnosed by ultrasound Preeclampsia: Condition during pregnancy or shortly after delivery with high blood pressure, edema (swelling), and protein in the urine Salpingocyesis: Pregnancy occurring in fallopian tube or ectopic pregnancy Spontaneous abortion: A miscarriage, usually occurring before 12 weeks of gestation Stillbirth: Fetal death in utero, occurring before delivery Female reproductive diseases and pathology A woman’s mental and sexual health are intricately interwoven with physical health.