Health 100 Exam 2

Birth Control

The practice of managing fertility and preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Fertility

The ability to reproduce.

Conception

The fusion of ovum and sperm, resulting in a fertilized egg or zygote.

Contraception

The prevention of conception through the use of a device, substance, or method.

Contraceptive

Any agent or method that can prevent conception.

Perfect-Use Failure Rate

The number of pregnancies likely to occur (per $100$) in the first year of use of a method if used consistently and accurately.

Typical-Use Failure Rate

The number of pregnancies likely to occur (per $100$) in the first year of use of a method if not used consistently and accurately.

Modern Contraceptive Methods

A category of contraception consisting of sterilization, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, injectables, pills, patches, rings, and barrier methods.

Behavioral Contraceptive Methods

Methods that rely on knowledge about reproductive physiology and the menstrual cycle to determine when sex is least likely to result in a pregnancy.

Sterilization

The altering of the reproductive system to permanently prevent pregnancy.

Vasectomy

A permanent male surgical procedure involving severing, tying, or cauterizing the vasa deferentia so sperm cannot reach the seminal vesicles, with an overall failure rate of $0.05\%$.

Tubal Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)

A permanent female sterilization procedure where the fallopian tubes are cut, excised, clipped, or cauterized to prevent fertilization, with a failure rate of $0.5\%$.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)

Contraceptive methods lasting for several years that earn high satisfaction rates and have high effectiveness, specifically comprising IUDs and contraceptive implants.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

A small object placed into the uterus by a trained professional that prevents sperm from reaching the egg through chemical or hormonal changes.

Copper T-380A (ParaGard)

A non-hormonal intrauterine device that induces a spermicidal chemical reaction and provides protection against pregnancy for up to $10$ years.

Hormonal IUD

An intrauterine device (including Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, and Skyla) that releases small amounts of progestin to thicken cervical mucus and prevent fertilization for $3$ to $7$ years.

Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon)

A small device placed subdermally in the upper arm that releases a low, steady dose of progestin for up to $3$ years, resulting in a $0.05\%$ failure rate.

Combined Hormonal Oral Contraceptives

Oral contraceptive pills composed of estrogen and progestin, typically taken in packs with $3$ weeks of active hormone pills and $1$ week of placebo pills to suppress ovulation.

Progestin-Only Pill (Minipill)

An oral contraceptive containing only progestin that prevents pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus to block sperm passage and reducing the chance of ovulation.

Opill

The first over-the-counter (OTC) progestin-only daily birth control pill approved in the United States that requires no prescription.

Contraceptive Skin Patch

A thin, $1\text{-inch}$ square transdermal patch releasing estrogen and progestin, worn weekly for $3$ consecutive weeks followed by $1$ patch-free week.

Vaginal Contraceptive Ring

A flexible ring (such as NuvaRing or Annovera) placed in the vagina that continuously releases estrogen and progestin to provide one month of protection.

Depo-Provera

An injectable hormonal contraceptive that delivers progestin every $12$ weeks to prevent ovulation.

Male (External) Condom

A thin sheath unrolled over the erect penis before intercourse to physically block sperm and provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Female (Internal) Condom

A clear, flexible disposable pouch with two rings inserted into the vagina or anus up to $8$ hours prior to intercourse, offering barrier protection against pregnancy, STIs, and HIV.

Diaphragm

A dome-shaped silicone cup with a flexible rim fitted by a practitioner and used with spermicidal jelly, requiring insertion before sex and retention for at least $6$ hours afterward.

Cervical Cap

A small, flexible silicone cup fitted by a trained clinician that sits snugly over the cervix to hold spermicide and trap sperm, which may remain in place for up to $48$ hours.

Contraceptive Sponge

A round, absorbent barrier device approximately $2\text{ inches}$ in diameter pre-saturated with spermicide that fits over the cervix and is available without a prescription.

Vaginal Spermicides

Chemical preparations (foams, creams, or jellies) inserted deep into the vagina near the cervix no more than $60\text{ minutes}$ before intercourse to immobilize and kill sperm.

Abstinence

A behavioral method of contraception involving the complete avoidance of sexual intercourse.

Withdrawal (Coitus Interruptus)

A behavioral method of contraception where the male withdraws the penis from the vagina immediately prior to ejaculation.

Fertility Awareness-Based Methods

Behavioral methods that prevent pregnancy by tracking menstrual physiology (calendar, temperature, cervical mucus, or symptothermal techniques) to abstain during the fertile phase.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method

A postpartum contraceptive method that relies on exclusive breastfeeding to suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy.

Emergency Contraception (EC)

Postcoital contraceptive methods (such as Plan B One-Step or emergency IUD insertion) used within $72\text{ hours}$ to $5\text{ days}$ after unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy without terminating an established pregnancy.

Spontaneous Abortion

A pregnancy that ends on its own naturally; medically referred to as a miscarriage.

Induced Abortion

The intentional termination of a pregnancy through medical or surgical means.

Medical Abortion

A first-trimester abortion method utilizing two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, which ends pregnancies $95\text{--}97\%$ of the time up to $2.5\text{ months}$.

Aspiration Abortion

A first-trimester surgical procedure (also known as suction abortion or dilation and curettage / D&C) that empties the uterus via suction with a $98\%$ success rate.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

The most common second-trimester abortion method in the United States, involving cervical dilation and vaginal evacuation using suction and surgical instruments.

Induction Abortion

A second-trimester abortion method that terminates a pregnancy by using medications to induce labor.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

The $2022$ Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, returning the authority to regulate or restrict abortion access to individual states.

Intersexuality

A condition occurring when chromosomes are added, lost, or rearranged, causing disorders of sexual development where the physical and hormonal sex of the offspring is not clear.

Gender Roles

The social construct of behavioral norms defined by the society in which one lives.

Gender Identity

An individual's inner concept of being feminine, masculine, either, neither, or both.

Androgyny

The combination of traditional masculine and feminine traits in a single person.

Transgender

An umbrella term for a person whose gender identity and/or gender expression does not conform to that typically associated with their sex assigned at birth.

Cisgender

A term describing an individual whose gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth.

Sexual Orientation

A person's enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectionate attraction to other persons.

Vulva

The external sex organs of people assigned female at birth, comprising the mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris, and urethral and vaginal openings.

Clitoris

A highly sensitive female sex organ that plays an important role in sexual arousal and orgasm.

Hymen

A thin membrane that may partially cover the vaginal opening.

Cervix

The narrow, lower third of the uterus that opens into the upper part of the vagina.

Corona

The raised ridge situated at the edge of the glans of the penis.

Corpus Spongiosum

The single cylinder of spongy erectile tissue on the bottom of the penis through which the penile urethra runs.

Corpora Cavernosa

The two spongy erectile tissue bodies that lie on top of the penis parallel to the urethra.

Epididymis

A coiled storage tube where maturing sperm flow and are held after being produced in the testes.

Cowper's Glands

Glands that flank the male urethra and excrete preejaculatory fluid.

Menarche

The first menstrual period, which currently occurs at an average age of $12$ in the United States.

Corpus Luteum

A glandular mass of cells formed from an ovarian follicle by luteinizing hormone (LH) during the luteal phase.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

A hormone produced by a fertilized egg that maintains the corpus luteum and is detected by pregnancy tests.

Menopause

The cessation of menstruation resulting from declining sex hormone production, typically occurring over a $2\text{-year}$ period.

Andropause

The gradual decrease in testosterone production and male gonadal function occurring between ages $35$ and $65$.

Vasocongestion

The engorgement of bodily tissues with blood during sexual excitement.

Myotonia

Increased voluntary and involuntary muscular tension that occurs during sexual response.

Refractory Period

A resting period following orgasm experienced by males during which another erection and ejaculation cannot occur.

Dyspareunia

Genital pain regularly experienced before, during, or after sexual intercourse.

Vaginismus

Spastic, involuntary muscle contractions of the outer third of the vagina that make sexual intercourse difficult or impossible.

Blastocyst

A hollow ball of $32\text{--}128$ cells that travels through the fallopian tube and attaches to the endometrium around day $6$ or $7$.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that develop when the ovaries release more than one egg and both are fertilized; accounts for approximately $70\%$ of twins.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins that develop from a single fertilized egg that divides into two cells that develop separately, sharing all genetic material.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Preliminary uterine contractions occurring in the later stages of pregnancy as the body prepares for childbirth.

Lightening

The process occurring late in pregnancy where the uterus sinks downward as the fetus's head settles into the pelvic area.

Teratogens

Environmental substances, infections, or drugs that can cause congenital malformations or birth defects in a developing fetus.

Preeclampsia

A serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

Placenta Previa

A pregnancy complication where the placenta implants low in the uterus and covers the cervical opening.

Placental Abruption

A serious complication where the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall before birth.

Effacement

The thinning and shortening of the cervix that occurs during the first stage of labor.

Episiotomy

A surgical incision made in the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening during delivery.

Alcohol

The intoxicating ingredient found in fermented or distilled beverages, chemically known as ethyl alcohol.

Proof value

A measurement equal to two times the percentage concentration of alcohol by volume in a beverage (for example, a $100$-proof beverage contains $50\%$ alcohol by volume).

Standard drink

The amount of an alcoholic beverage that typically contains $0.6\,\text{ounces}$ of pure alcohol, equivalent to $12\,\text{oz}$ of regular beer, $8.5\,\text{oz}$ of malt liquor, $5\,\text{oz}$ of table wine, or $1.5\,\text{oz}$ of $80$-proof spirits.

Alcohol caloric content

Supplies $7\,\text{calories per gram}$ of pure energy devoid of other nutrients ("empty calories"), delivering approximately $100\text{--}120\,\text{calories}$ in a single standard drink.

Alcohol absorption

The uptake of alcohol into the bloodstream, occurring minimally through the oral mucosa, roughly $20\%$ through the stomach, and approximately $75\%$ through the upper section of the small intestine.

Alcohol excretion

The elimination of the approximately $2\text{--}10\%$ of consumed alcohol that is not metabolized by the liver, excreted completely unchanged by the lungs, kidneys, and sweat glands.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

The ratio of alcohol present in a person's bloodstream measured by weight, determined by body weight, percentage of body fat, biological sex, drinking patterns, and metabolic rate.

Learned behavioral tolerance

An acquired ability where a person modifies their external conduct to appear sober even while their blood alcohol concentration remains significantly high.

Alcohol hangover

A state of post-intoxication distress marked by headache, shakiness, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and impaired mental functioning, caused by toxic metabolic breakdown products, dehydration, and hormonal disruptions.

Alcohol poisoning

A severe, potentially fatal consequence of consuming massive volumes of alcohol within a brief period, causing lethal central nervous system and respiratory depression or pulmonary aspiration of vomitus.

Binge drinking

A periodic pattern of rapid alcohol consumption that elevates a person's BAC to $0.08\%$ or higher within $2\,\text{hours}$, typically consisting of $5$ or more drinks for men and $4$ or more drinks for women.

Dose-response function (Alcohol and driving)

The quantitative relationship demonstrating that progressively larger amounts of ingested alcohol cause an exponentially steeper increase in the probability of a fatal or severe motor vehicle collision.

Cirrhosis

A severe, end-stage liver disease in which functioning hepatic tissue is permanently destroyed and replaced by fibrous scar tissue due to chronic alcohol misuse, toxins, or infection.

"Holiday heart"

An acute cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heart rhythm appearing within $24\,\text{hours}$ following an episode of heavy binge drinking.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

A permanent constellation of congenital physical abnormalities, cognitive impairments, and lifelong neurodevelopmental disabilities caused by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy.

Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND)

Significant cognitive, learning, and behavioral impairments in children resulting from maternal prenatal alcohol exposure in the absence of full physical facial malformations.

Delirium tremens (the DT's)

A severe, life-threatening manifestation of alcohol withdrawal characterized by intense disorientation, confusion, vivid hallucinations, tremors, and seizures.

Disulfiram (Antabuse)

A pharmacotherapeutic medication for alcohol use disorder that inhibits the metabolic breakdown of acetaldehyde, causing severe physical discomfort if alcohol is ingested.

Naltrexone

An alcohol dependency drug (available orally as ReVia or Depade, or as a monthly injection called Vivitrol) that blocks opioid receptors, decreasing cravings and dampening the intoxicating, euphoric effects of alcohol.

Acamprosate (Campral)

A prescription medication used to support alcohol abstinence by stabilizing neurochemical pathways and reducing cravings.

Nicotine

A highly toxic, powerful, and addictive psychoactive chemical alkaloid found in tobacco that enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain within seconds to release central nervous system neurotransmitters.

Secondary reinforcers

Non-chemical stimuli or daily routines that are not naturally rewarding alone but maintain nicotine dependence because they are habitually paired with the pleasurable sensation of tobacco use.