Reproductive Health – Vocabulary Master List

A comprehensive set of 500 English vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, devices, programmes, laws, diseases, and technologies related to reproductive health, contraceptives, STIs, and infertility management presented in the lecture notes.

Reproductive Health

A state of complete physical, emotional, behavioural and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system.

WHO Definition of Reproductive Health

Total well-being in physical, emotional, behavioural and social aspects of reproduction.

Physical Well-being (Reproductive)

Proper functioning and absence of disease in reproductive organs.

Emotional Well-being (Reproductive)

Positive feelings and attitudes about sexuality and reproduction.

Behavioural Well-being (Reproductive)

Healthy sexual habits and responsible reproductive decisions.

Social Well-being (Reproductive)

Supportive relationships and societal norms that foster healthy reproduction.

Family Planning Programme 1951

India’s first national initiative to promote small families and reproductive health.

RCH Programme

Reproductive and Child Health care initiative offering comprehensive reproductive services.

Sex Education

Structured instruction about human sexuality, contraception, and STIs.

Adolescence

Developmental phase marked by puberty and significant reproductive changes.

Awareness Creation

Informing people about reproductive issues to promote healthy choices.

Counselling (Reproductive)

Professional guidance on reproductive concerns and decisions.

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)

Deaths of mothers per 100,000 live births.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Deaths of infants under one year per 1,000 live births.

Medically Assisted Delivery

Childbirth attended by trained health professionals.

Post-natal Care

Medical attention to mother and baby after birth.

Breast-feeding Importance

Practice providing nutrition and immunity to infants.

Equal Opportunity for Female Child

Ensuring girls receive the same care, education and rights as boys.

Population Explosion

Rapid and excessive increase in population size.

Population Growth Rate

Percentage increase in population per year.

Small Family Norm

Social goal encouraging couples to limit children to two or fewer.

One-Child Norm

Voluntary practice of limiting families to a single child.

Marriageable Age (Female)

Legal minimum age of 18 years for women to marry in India.

Marriageable Age (Male)

Legal minimum age of 21 years for men to marry in India.

Ideal Contraceptive

Method that is user-friendly, effective, reversible, easily available, and free of major side effects.

Natural Contraceptive Methods

Techniques avoiding drugs or devices to prevent fertilisation.

Traditional Methods

Cultural or age-old practices used to prevent conception.

Barrier Methods

Physical devices that prevent sperm from reaching the ovum.

Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs)

Small devices placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

Oral Contraceptives

Hormonal pills taken by women to inhibit ovulation.

Injectable Contraceptives

Hormone injections providing long-term pregnancy prevention.

Implant Contraceptives

Hormone-releasing rods placed under the skin for contraception.

Surgical Contraception

Permanent sterilisation via surgical blocking of gamete transport.

Periodic Abstinence

Avoiding intercourse during fertile days (day 10-17 of cycle).

Fertile Period

Mid-cycle days when ovulation and conception are most likely.

Withdrawal Method

Male removes penis before ejaculation to prevent insemination.

Coitus Interruptus

Alternate term for withdrawal method.

Lactational Amenorrhea

Temporary infertility during exclusive breast-feeding.

Condom

Disposable rubber/latex sheath worn to prevent semen entry and STIs.

Male Condom

Sheath covering penis during intercourse; brand example: Nirodh.

Female Condom

Pouch lining vagina and cervix to block semen.

Nirodh

Popular Indian brand of male condom.

Diaphragm

Reusable rubber dome placed over cervix to block sperm.

Cervical Cap

Small rubber cap fitting tightly over cervix as barrier.

Vaginal Vault (Device)

Large diaphragm-like barrier covering upper vaginal region.

Spermicidal Cream

Chemical agent that kills sperm, used with barriers.

Spermicidal Jelly

Gel formulation containing sperm-killing chemicals.

Spermicidal Foam

Foaming contraceptive releasing sperm-toxic agents in vagina.

Doctor Insertion (IUD)

Requirement that IUDs be placed by trained professionals.

Lippes Loop

Classic non-medicated plastic IUD.

Copper-Releasing IUD

Device emitting copper ions to impair sperm motility.

Copper T (CuT)

T-shaped copper IUD widely used in India.

Cu-7

Seven-shaped copper IUD variant.

Multiload 375

Multi-pronged copper IUD effective up to 5 years.

Hormone-Releasing IUD

Device that releases progesterone or levonorgestrel to prevent implantation.

Progestasert

Progesterone-releasing IUD effective for one year.

LNG-20

Levonorgestrel-releasing IUD effective for up to five years.

Phagocytosis of Sperm

Process by which uterine cells destroy sperm, enhanced by IUDs.

Hostile Cervical Mucus

Thickened mucus preventing sperm entry, induced by hormonal IUDs.

Oral Pill

Combined estrogen-progestogen tablet taken daily for 21 days.

21-Day Pill Regimen

Daily pills for 21 days followed by 7-day gap.

Combined Pill

Oral contraceptive containing both estrogen and progestogen.

Mini-Pill

Progestogen-only oral contraceptive.

Saheli

Indian non-steroidal weekly oral contraceptive for women.

Non-Steroidal Pill

Contraceptive lacking steroid hormones, e.g., Saheli.

Once-a-Week Pill

Oral contraceptive taken weekly instead of daily.

Low Side-Effect Pill

Hormonal pill designed to minimise adverse reactions.

Progestogen Injection

Long-acting hormone shot preventing ovulation.

Combined Injection

Estrogen-progestogen injection offering months of contraception.

Hormonal Implant

Subdermal rods slowly releasing progestogen for years.

Emergency Contraceptive

Hormonal method used within 72 hours after unprotected sex.

Morning-After Pill

Common term for emergency oral contraceptive.

Post-Coital Contraception

Pregnancy prevention after intercourse.

Vasectomy

Male sterilisation by cutting and sealing vas deferens.

Vas Deferens

Duct carrying sperm from testis; target in vasectomy.

Scrotal Incision

Small cut made to perform vasectomy.

Tubectomy

Female sterilisation by cutting and sealing fallopian tubes.

Fallopian Tube Ligation

Blocking oviduct to prevent egg-sperm meeting.

Abdominal Incision (Tubectomy)

Surgical entry point for female sterilisation.

Reversibility of Sterilisation

Generally low chance of restoring fertility after vasectomy/tubectomy.

Contraceptive Side Effects

Potential issues like nausea, pain, or irregular bleeding.

User Consultation

Seeking medical advice before choosing contraception.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)

Intentional abortion before full term, permitted under law.

Induced Abortion

Voluntary termination of pregnancy via medical procedures.

MTP Act 1971

Indian law legalising abortion under specific conditions.

MTP Amendment 2017

Revision allowing termination up to 24 weeks on medical opinion.

First Trimester Safety (MTP)

Abortions up to 12 weeks considered relatively safe.

Second Trimester Risk

Higher complication rate for abortions after 12 weeks.

Illegal Abortion

Unregulated termination by unqualified persons; dangerous.

Quack

Unqualified individual performing medical procedures.

Female Foeticide

Selective abortion of female fetuses; illegal practice.

Pregnancy Termination Grounds

Maternal risk, fetal abnormalities, or grave injury justify MTP.

Amniocentesis

Sampling of amniotic fluid to test fetal cells and genetics.

Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis

Detecting disorders like Down syndrome before birth.

Down Syndrome Testing

Chromosomal analysis via amniocentesis.

Haemophilia Detection

Identifying sex-linked bleeding disorder in fetus.

Sickle-Cell Anaemia Test

Screening fetal blood disorder via amniotic fluid.

Sex-Determination Ban

Legal prohibition of using amniocentesis to reveal fetal sex.

Child Immunisation

Vaccination programme to protect infants from diseases.

Safer Abortion Services

Clinical facilities ensuring legal and hygienic MTPs.