Reproductive Health Terminology: Complete Clinical Glossary

Educational and rights-based notice. Reproductive-health care must be confidential, respectful, non-discriminatory, age-appropriate and consistent with Ugandan law, professional ethics and current Ministry of Health guidance. Anatomical terms describe body structures; they do not determine a person’s gender identity, sexual orientation, dignity or entitlement to respectful care.

Focus: reproductive health terminology | Audience: emergency medicine, clinical medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied-health students.

Learning objectives

Define reproductive health, sexual health, reproductive rights and related public-health concepts.
Identify male and female reproductive organs and explain the meaning of common anatomical terms.
Use accurate terms for puberty, fertility, contraception, pregnancy, childbirth, infertility, menopause and andropause.
Apply respectful, inclusive and clinically safe language when taking histories, documenting findings or giving health education.

1. The central definitions

Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being—not merely the absence of disease or infirmity—in all matters relating to the reproductive system, its functions and processes. In practice it includes the ability to have a safe and satisfying sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide whether, when and how often to have children.

Sexual health is well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and relationships and the possibility of pleasurable and safe sexual experiences free from coercion, discrimination and violence.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) applies these health goals through human rights: access to information and services, bodily autonomy, privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, equality, freedom from violence and the ability to make voluntary decisions about sexuality and reproduction within the law.

Use “person with a uterus/ovaries/testes” when anatomy—not gender—is clinically relevant, and ask the patient what language they prefer.

2. Foundational terms

Term	Meaning and clinical use
Sex	Biological characteristics such as reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones and secondary sex characteristics. Sex traits vary and are not always exclusively male or female.
Sex assigned at birth	The classification recorded at birth based mainly on observed anatomy; it may not reflect later gender identity.
Gender	Socially constructed roles, behaviours, expressions and expectations associated with perceived sex.
Gender identity	A person’s internal sense of gender, which may be woman, man, non-binary, another identity or no gender.
Gender expression	How a person presents gender through dress, voice, behaviour or appearance; it does not prove sexual orientation or anatomy.
Intersex variations	Congenital variations in reproductive anatomy, chromosomes or hormones that do not fit typical definitions of male or female bodies. Avoid non-consensual “normalising” procedures.
Sexual orientation	Pattern of romantic, emotional or sexual attraction; it may be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual or another identity.
Sexuality	Sex, gender, attraction, intimacy, relationships, pleasure, reproduction, identity and expression across the lifespan.
Consent	Freely given, informed, specific, reversible and ongoing agreement. Silence, fear, intoxication, coercion or inability to understand is not consent.
Confidentiality	Duty to protect private information. Explain limits when there is serious risk, abuse, a legal requirement or a need to coordinate safe care.
Informed consent	Voluntary agreement after understandable information about benefits, risks, alternatives and the option to refuse.
Adolescent	WHO commonly defines adolescence as ages 10–19; developmental maturity, legal status and safeguarding must also be considered.
Young person	A broad service term whose age range depends on the programme or law. Clarify the local definition rather than assuming.
Bodily autonomy	The right to make decisions about one’s body and health without coercion, discrimination or violence, subject to lawful protection of children and people lacking capacity.

3. Reproductive organs and anatomical language

3.1 Female reproductive anatomy

Term	Definition/function
Vulva	Collective name for external genital structures: mons pubis, labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule, urethral and vaginal openings, and associated glands.
Mons pubis	Fatty, hair-bearing pad over the pubic bone.
Labia majora	Outer skin folds that protect the vestibule; contain connective tissue, glands and erectile tissue.
Labia minora	Inner folds bordering the vestibule; anatomy varies widely and is not a marker of sexual activity.
Clitoris	Erectile sensory organ with glans, body and internal crura/bulbs; central to sexual arousal and pleasure.
Vestibule	Space enclosed by the labia minora containing urethral and vaginal openings.
Bartholin (greater vestibular) glands	Paired glands near the posterior vaginal opening that contribute lubricating mucus; blockage may cause a cyst/abscess.
Skene (paraurethral) glands	Glands near the distal urethra; ducts open around the urethral meatus.
Vagina	Elastic muscular canal from the vestibule to the cervix; passage for menstrual flow, sexual penetration and childbirth.
Hymen	Variable rim of mucosal tissue at the vaginal opening. Its appearance cannot prove virginity, intercourse or assault.
Cervix	Lower fibromuscular part of the uterus projecting into the vagina; has internal and external os and produces cervical mucus.
Uterus	Muscular pelvic organ with fundus, body, isthmus and cervix; supports implantation, pregnancy and labour.
Myometrium	Thick smooth-muscle layer of the uterine wall that contracts during menstruation and labour.
Endometrium	Inner uterine lining; proliferates under oestrogen, becomes secretory under progesterone and sheds during menstruation if pregnancy does not occur.
Fallopian/uterine tubes	Paired ducts with fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus and interstitial portion; transport the oocyte and are the usual site of fertilisation.
Ovary	Gonad containing follicles/oocytes and producing oestrogen, progesterone, inhibin and other hormones.
Broad ligament	Double fold of peritoneum supporting uterus, tubes and ovaries; it is not a true ligament in the same way as a tendon.
Breast/mammary gland	Accessory reproductive organ for lactation; contains lobules, ducts, nipple and areola. Breast development is a secondary sex characteristic.

3.2 Male reproductive anatomy

Term	Definition/function
Penis	External organ containing root, shaft and glans; conveys urine and semen. Erectile tissue includes paired corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum.
Prepuce/foreskin	Retractable skin covering the glans in an uncircumcised penis. Never forcibly retract in a child; teach gentle hygiene.
Scrotum	Skin and muscle sac that houses the testes and helps regulate temperature for spermatogenesis.
Testis/testicle	Male gonad producing sperm in seminiferous tubules and testosterone via Leydig cells.
Seminiferous tubules	Sites of spermatogenesis supported by Sertoli cells.
Epididymis	Coiled duct on the posterior testis where sperm mature and are stored.
Vas deferens	Muscular duct transporting sperm from epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.
Seminal vesicles	Paired glands producing fructose-rich fluid that contributes much of semen volume.
Prostate gland	Gland below the bladder surrounding the proximal urethra; contributes enzymatic, alkaline fluid to semen.
Bulbourethral (Cowper) glands	Paired glands producing pre-ejaculatory mucus that lubricates and helps neutralise urethral acidity.
Ejaculatory ducts	Union of vas deferens and seminal-vesicle ducts; open into the prostatic urethra.
Urethra	Outlet for urine and semen, but not simultaneously. It has prostatic, membranous and spongy sections.
Spermatozoon	Mature haploid male gamete with head/acrosome, midpiece mitochondria and flagellum.
Semen/seminal fluid	Mixture of sperm and secretions from seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands.

4. Core reproductive physiology terms

Gonad: ovary or testis; produces gametes and sex hormones.
Gamete: haploid reproductive cell—oocyte or sperm.
Oocyte/ovum: female germ cell; “ovum” is commonly used for a mature egg, although the released cell is technically a secondary oocyte.
Follicle: ovarian structure containing a developing oocyte and supporting granulosa/theca cells.
Spermatogenesis: production and maturation of sperm from spermatogonia.
Oogenesis: development of oocytes within ovarian follicles.
Gametogenesis: formation of gametes through meiosis and maturation.
Meiosis: two-stage cell division that halves chromosome number and creates genetic variation.
Fertilisation: fusion of sperm and oocyte nuclei, usually in the ampulla, forming a diploid zygote.
Zygote: first diploid cell after fertilisation.
Cleavage: early mitotic divisions of the zygote without overall growth.
Morula: compact ball of cleavage-stage cells.
Blastocyst: implantation-ready structure with trophoblast and inner cell mass.
Implantation: attachment and invasion of the blastocyst into the receptive endometrium.
Embryo: developing human from implantation through approximately 8 weeks after fertilisation.
Fetus: developing human from the fetal period until birth.
Placenta: temporary maternal–fetal organ for gas/nutrient/waste exchange, endocrine function and immune interface.
Umbilical cord: fetal connection to placenta, normally containing two arteries and one vein in Wharton’s jelly.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG): trophoblastic hormone detected in pregnancy tests; maintains the corpus luteum early in pregnancy.
Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis: GnRH from hypothalamus stimulates pituitary FSH/LH, which regulate gonadal function and sex steroids.
GnRH, FSH and LH: gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone.
Oestrogen: steroid hormones involved in endometrial growth, bone, breast development and secondary sex characteristics.
Progesterone: steroid hormone from corpus luteum/placenta that stabilises endometrium and supports pregnancy.
Testosterone: principal androgen, produced mainly by Leydig cells; supports spermatogenesis, libido, muscle/bone and male secondary characteristics.
Inhibin: gonadal hormone that selectively suppresses pituitary FSH.
Corpus luteum: post-ovulatory follicle that secretes progesterone and oestrogen; becomes corpus albicans if pregnancy does not occur.

5. Puberty and reproductive life stages

Term	Meaning/clinical significance
Puberty	Biological transition to reproductive maturity due to reactivation of the HPG axis, growth acceleration and secondary sex characteristics.
Adrenarche	Rise in adrenal androgens causing pubic/axillary hair, body odour and acne; it is separate from gonadarche.
Gonadarche	Activation of ovaries/testes by the HPG axis.
Menarche	First menstrual period. Early cycles may be anovulatory and irregular; very heavy bleeding, severe pain, pregnancy possibility or prolonged amenorrhoea requires assessment.
Menstrual regularity	Pattern of cycle interval, duration, flow and symptoms; assess the individual baseline rather than assuming every cycle is 28 days.
Reproductive age/years	Population term, not a guarantee of fertility; fertility changes with age, health, ovulation, sperm factors and social context.
Perimenopause/menopausal transition	Years of changing ovarian function, cycle variability and symptoms before the final menstrual period.
Menopause	Permanent cessation of menstruation diagnosed retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without another cause, usually around the midlife years.
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)	Loss of ovarian activity before age 40, with irregular/absent menses, low oestrogen and elevated FSH; requires fertility, bone and cardiovascular care.
Andropause	Popular but imprecise term for age-related decline in testosterone. Prefer “late-onset hypogonadism” only when symptoms and repeatedly low morning testosterone are confirmed; it is not an exact male equivalent of menopause.
Senescence	Age-related biological change; it does not mean sexual activity or reproductive-health needs end.

6. Menstrual and ovulatory terms

Menstrual cycle: recurring ovarian and uterine changes counted from the first day of bleeding to the day before the next period.
Menstruation/menses/period: shedding of the endometrium with blood and tissue through the vagina.
Cycle interval: number of days from day 1 of one period to day 1 of the next.
Follicular/proliferative phase: pre-ovulatory phase dominated by follicle development and oestrogen-driven endometrial proliferation.
Ovulation: release of a secondary oocyte after the mid-cycle LH surge; exact timing varies.
Luteal/secretory phase: post-ovulatory phase dominated by progesterone and a secretory endometrium.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): cyclical physical, emotional or behavioural symptoms that resolve after menses and impair function.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): severe cyclical mood symptoms meeting diagnostic criteria; requires careful psychiatric and menstrual tracking.
Dysmenorrhoea: painful menstruation; primary has no pelvic disease, secondary is due to conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids.
Menorrhagia/heavy menstrual bleeding: excessive menstrual blood loss that affects quality of life; assess anaemia and pregnancy, not only estimated volume.
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB): bleeding abnormal in regularity, volume, frequency or duration; PALM-COEIN classifies causes.
Amenorrhoea: absence of menstruation; primary (no menarche by expected developmental threshold) or secondary (loss after established menses).
Oligomenorrhoea: infrequent menstrual bleeding; polymenorrhoea means unusually frequent bleeding.
Metrorrhagia/intermenstrual bleeding: bleeding between expected periods.
Post-coital bleeding: bleeding after intercourse; investigate cervix, infection, pregnancy and malignancy risk.
Mittelschmerz: mid-cycle ovulatory pain.
Anovulation: failure to release an oocyte, common in early adolescence, PCOS, hyperprolactinaemia, thyroid disease, undernutrition or excessive exercise.

7. Fertility, conception and infertility terms

Term	Definition
Fecundity	Biological capacity to achieve a live birth.
Fertility	Actual reproductive performance, including ability to achieve pregnancy/live birth.
Infertility	Failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse; evaluate earlier with older age, amenorrhoea, tubal disease, endometriosis, known sperm disorder or sexual dysfunction.
Primary infertility	No previous clinical pregnancy.
Secondary infertility	Difficulty conceiving after a previous pregnancy, regardless of outcome.
Subfertility	Reduced probability or delayed time to conception; often used interchangeably with infertility but should not imply blame.
Ovulation	Release of an oocyte; evidence may include cycle pattern, LH testing, progesterone or ultrasound.
Conception	Everyday term for establishment of pregnancy; clinicians should specify fertilisation, implantation or confirmed pregnancy.
Implantation	Blastocyst attachment to the endometrium; pregnancy tests become positive after trophoblastic hCG rises.
Coital frequency	Frequency/timing of intercourse; discuss sensitively and do not assume intercourse is the only route to conception.
Assisted reproductive technology (ART)	Techniques involving handling eggs, sperm or embryos, including IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)	Fertilisation outside the body followed by embryo transfer to the uterus.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)	Injection of one sperm into an oocyte, usually for severe male-factor infertility or failed fertilisation.

8. Contraception and fertility-control terms

Contraception/family planning: voluntary methods to prevent unintended pregnancy, space births or achieve reproductive goals.
Method effectiveness: pregnancy prevention in perfect use versus typical use; always explain both.
Dual protection: condoms plus another effective contraceptive to reduce pregnancy and STI risk.
Barrier method: condom, diaphragm or cervical cap that blocks sperm; condoms also reduce STI transmission.
Hormonal contraception: combined oestrogen–progestin or progestin-only pills, injectables, implants, patches or rings.
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC): implants and intrauterine devices that work for months/years and are rapidly reversible.
Intrauterine device (IUD/IUCD): copper device that prevents fertilisation and may be used for emergency contraception; levonorgestrel intrauterine system also releases progestin and treats heavy bleeding.
Emergency contraception: copper IUD or emergency pills after unprotected intercourse; it does not terminate an established intrauterine pregnancy.
Fertility-awareness method: identifies fertile days using cycle, mucus, temperature or symptoms; effectiveness depends on correct consistent use.
Lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM): temporary postpartum method requiring exclusive/nearly exclusive breastfeeding, amenorrhoea and infant age under six months.
Permanent contraception: tubal occlusion/salpingectomy or vasectomy after informed voluntary counselling; it should never be coerced.
Unmet need: person who wants to delay/avoid pregnancy but is not using a method.
Method failure: pregnancy while using a method; distinguish user error from intrinsic failure.

9. Sexual-health and STI terms

Sexual intercourse: sexual activity; ask what the patient means because practices and risk differ.
Sexual dysfunction: persistent distressing difficulty in desire, arousal, orgasm, ejaculation or pain.
Dyspareunia: recurrent or persistent genital pain associated with sexual activity.
Vaginismus/genito-pelvic pain–penetration disorder: involuntary pelvic-floor tightening, fear or pain with attempted penetration.
Erectile dysfunction: persistent inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity.
Premature ejaculation: recurrent ejaculation earlier than desired with distress; assess lifelong/acquired pattern.
Sexually transmitted infection (STI): infection transmitted through sexual contact; some are also blood-borne or vertically transmitted.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD): older term implying symptomatic disease; “STI” includes asymptomatic infection.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): upper-genital-tract infection, usually ascending from cervix/vagina, with risks of infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pain.
Vaginitis: inflammation/infection of the vagina, including candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.
Cervicitis: inflammation of the cervix, commonly due to chlamydia/gonorrhoea but not exclusively.
Genital ulcer/discharge syndrome: syndromic terms used when laboratory confirmation is unavailable; follow national treatment guidance.
Vertical transmission: transmission from pregnant person to fetus/newborn during pregnancy, labour, birth or breastfeeding.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): medicines given promptly after a potential exposure, such as HIV exposure, according to protocol.
Sexual violence/assault: sexual act or contact without freely given consent; provide urgent medical, psychosocial and legal support.

10. Pregnancy, antenatal and intrapartum terms

Term	Meaning
Pregnancy	State beginning after implantation and ending with birth, miscarriage or termination; document estimated gestational age.
Gravida (G)	Total number of pregnancies, including current pregnancy, regardless of outcome.
Para/parity (P)	Number of pregnancies reaching the locally defined gestational viability threshold, not number of babies; specify preterm/term outcomes when needed.
Abortus (A)	Pregnancies ending before the local viability threshold; confirm the notation system used.
Living (L)	Number of currently living children in GTPAL notation.
Gestational age	Time since the first day of the last menstrual period or best obstetric estimate, expressed in weeks and days.
Estimated date of delivery (EDD)	Expected date of birth calculated from reliable LMP, ultrasound or another validated method.
Trimester	First, second or third period of pregnancy; exact week boundaries should follow the teaching protocol.
Nulligravida/nullipara/multipara	No previous pregnancy/no previous birth beyond viability/multiple births beyond viability. Use precise definitions rather than labels alone.
Viability	Gestational stage at which survival outside the uterus may be possible with intensive care; varies with resources and should never be treated as a single universal week.
Antenatal care (ANC)	Planned, respectful, person-centred preventive and clinical care during pregnancy.
High-risk pregnancy	Pregnancy with increased maternal, fetal or newborn risk due to disease, obstetric history, current findings, age, social factors or inadequate support.
Quickening	First maternal perception of fetal movement.
Lie, presentation and position	Fetal longitudinal/transverse lie; presenting part (cephalic, breech, shoulder); and its orientation in the maternal pelvis.
Engagement	Passage of the widest diameter of the presenting part through the pelvic inlet.
Labour	Regular painful uterine contractions causing progressive cervical effacement and dilatation with descent of the presenting part.
Effacement/dilatation	Thinning/shortening of the cervix and opening of the cervical os, measured in centimetres.
Partograph/partogram	Structured chart for monitoring labour progress and maternal/fetal condition; use the current national tool.

11. Birth, postpartum and newborn terms

Birth: complete expulsion/extraction of a fetus from the pregnant person, regardless of cord cutting or placental separation.
Vaginal birth: birth through the vagina; may be spontaneous, assisted or induced.
Caesarean birth: surgical birth through abdominal and uterine incisions.
Induction of labour: deliberate initiation of contractions before spontaneous onset when benefits outweigh risks.
Augmentation: strengthening labour that began spontaneously, commonly with amniotomy/oxytocin under monitoring.
Third stage: period from birth of the baby to delivery of the placenta.
Postpartum/postnatal period: period after birth, commonly the first six weeks, though care continues beyond it.
Puerperium: physiological postpartum period during uterine involution and recovery.
Lochia: normal postpartum uterine discharge progressing from rubra to serosa to alba; heavy bleeding or foul smell is abnormal.
Uterine involution: return of the uterus toward pre-pregnancy size.
Lactation: production and secretion of breast milk.
Colostrum: early concentrated milk rich in immunological factors.
Maternal near miss: person who nearly died but survived a severe pregnancy/childbirth complication.
Maternal mortality: death during pregnancy or within the defined postpartum period from pregnancy-related or aggravated causes; use official definitions for reporting.

12. Reproductive rights and ethical terms

Right/principle	Clinical meaning
Non-discrimination	Care must not be denied or degraded because of sex, age, disability, HIV status, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or poverty.
Availability/accessibility	Essential services, medicines, trained providers, information and referral should be available, reachable and affordable.
Acceptability and quality	Services should respect culture and dignity while meeting evidence-based safety standards.
Privacy	Physical and informational privacy during consultation, examination, testing and counselling.
Informed voluntary choice	Patients receive understandable options and may accept, decline or change a method without coercion.
Child/adolescent assent and safeguarding	Include the young person in decisions at their level of understanding, protect confidentiality within law and respond to abuse or incapacity.
Respectful maternity care	Care free of mistreatment, humiliation, discrimination, unnecessary intervention and non-consensual procedures.
Best interests and capacity	When a patient lacks decision-making capacity, act lawfully in their best interests and involve appropriate representatives while preserving dignity.

13. Clinical history and documentation terms

LMP: first day of the last normal menstrual period.
EDD: estimated date of delivery.
LNMP: last normal menstrual period; clarify uncertainty, irregular cycles or postpartum status.
OB/GYN: obstetrics and gynaecology.
GTPAL: gravida, term births, preterm births, abortions and living children; use local notation conventions.
Menstrual history: age at menarche, cycle interval, regularity, duration, flow, pain, clots, intermenstrual/post-coital bleeding and symptoms.
Obstetric history: outcomes, gestational ages, mode of birth, complications, birth weights, neonatal outcomes and previous surgeries.
Sexual history: partners, practices, protection, past STI, pregnancy intention, consent/safety and concerns; use the five Ps: partners, practices, protection, past STI/pregnancy and prevention of pregnancy.
Reproductive life plan: whether a person wants children, when, how many, and what contraception or pre-conception support is needed.
Safeguarding: action to protect a child or vulnerable person from abuse, exploitation, violence or neglect.

14. Common examinations and measurements

Speculum examination: visual inspection of vagina and cervix using a speculum; explain, consent and use appropriate size.
Bimanual examination: assessment of cervix, uterus, adnexa and pelvic tenderness with one hand abdominally and fingers vaginally.
Pelvic examination: external, speculum and/or bimanual components; do only what is indicated.
Breast examination: inspection and palpation of breast, nipple and axillary nodes.
Fundal height: symphysis–fundal measurement used as a screening trend for fetal growth after the appropriate gestational age.
Fetal heart rate (FHR): fetal cardiac rate assessed by Doppler/Pinard/monitor according to gestational age and risk.
Blood pressure and proteinuria: core screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; interpret with symptoms and laboratory findings.
Ultrasound: imaging for gestational age, viability, location, anatomy, placenta, growth and Doppler indications.
Colposcopy: magnified examination of cervix after abnormal screening, with biopsy when indicated.
Vaginal/rectal swab: specimen for microscopy, culture or molecular tests; follow collection and consent procedures.

15. High-yield distinctions students must not confuse

Often confused	Correct distinction
Vulva vs vagina	Vulva is external genital anatomy; vagina is the internal muscular canal.
Ovary vs ovum	Ovary is a gonad/organ; an ovum or oocyte is a gamete.
Menopause vs amenorrhoea	Menopause is permanent ovarian-related cessation after 12 months; amenorrhoea is absence of menses from many possible causes.
Andropause vs hypogonadism	“Andropause” is a popular imprecise term; diagnose late-onset hypogonadism only with symptoms and repeated low morning testosterone.
Fertilisation vs implantation	Fertilisation is gamete fusion; implantation is blastocyst attachment to endometrium.
Contraception vs emergency contraception	Routine contraception prevents pregnancy before intercourse; emergency contraception acts after unprotected sex and does not end an established pregnancy.
STI vs STD	STI includes infection without symptoms; STD usually implies clinical disease.
Infertility vs impotence	Infertility concerns conception; erectile dysfunction concerns erection and may or may not cause infertility.
Gender vs sex	Sex describes biological traits; gender describes identity/roles. Neither should be assumed from appearance.

16. Practical communication and examination checklist

Introduce yourself, confirm preferred name/pronouns and explain confidentiality and its limits.
Ask permission before sensitive questions or examination; offer a chaperone and interpreter.
Use neutral questions: “What brings you today?” “What are your pregnancy intentions?” “What words do you use for your body?”
Assess immediate danger: severe bleeding, ectopic symptoms, testicular torsion, sexual violence, coercion, suicidal thoughts or pregnancy complications.
Document objective findings, direct quotations, consent, chaperone, tests, counselling, referrals and safety plan.

17. Quick self-test

Define reproductive health and sexual health in a way that goes beyond absence of disease.
Differentiate the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, tubes and ovaries.
What is the difference between menarche, menopause and andropause?
Explain fertilisation, implantation, embryo and fetus.
What are the five Ps of a sexual history?
Differentiate contraception, emergency contraception and abortion.
Why can hymen appearance not prove virginity or sexual assault?
What are the principles of informed consent and confidentiality?

Further study and references

Core sources: WHO sexual and reproductive health and rights, WHO sexual health, and UNFPA reproductive-health resources. Pair this glossary with the upcoming anatomy, menstrual-cycle, pre-conception, ANC and safe-motherhood posts. Always verify legal and service-delivery details against current Ugandan Ministry of Health guidance.

Doctors Revision

Reproductive Health Terminology: Definitions, Rights, Organs, Physiology and Clinical Terms