Info and Advice

What things mean

Not sure what certain words relating to your body or period mean? Then have a look at our glossary to find out. 

• Adam’s apple

  When boys go through puberty the larynx (voicebox) starts to grow and sticks out at the front of the throat. This is what’s known as the Adam’s apple.

• Anus

  The opening where bowel movements leave your body. It’s not part of your reproductive system.

• Cervical canal (birth canal)

  This is the passageway through which babies are born. It’s made up of the cervix, vagina and vulva (the outside part of the vagina).

• Cervix

  This is the lower part of the uterus found at the top of the vagina. It’s sometimes called the ‘neck’ of the womb.

• Endometrium

  This is the inner lining of the womb. It lines with blood each month, which is then shed during your period.

• Fallopian tubes

  The passageway from the ovaries to the uterus. This is where the sperm fertilises the egg after sexual intercourse.

• Flow

  This describes the amount of blood that leaves your body during your period. On average this works out to be just four tablespoons.

• Gynaecologist

  A doctor who specialises in women’s health – especially reproduction.

• Heavy flow

  The days during your period where most blood is passed. It’s likely you’ll only have one or two heavy flow days during your period.

• Hormone

  A chemical produced by glands in your body to control other cells or organs in the body.

• Light flow and medium flow

  This is when the amount of blood you lose is not too heavy or very light.

• Menopause

  The menopause is something that happens to older women when all of the eggs held in their ovaries have been released and they no longer have a period.

• Menstruation

  This is another word for your period. It usually lasts around 3-7 days and is just your body shedding the lining from your uterus if fertilisation doesn’t take place.

• Oestrogen

  This is the female hormone responsible for the changes in your body during puberty.

• Ova

  These are unfertilised egg cells that develop in the ovary and are released every month during ovulation.

• Ovaries

  Two oval-shaped organs found in the lower abdomen either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce hormones and release eggs (ova). They contain all the eggs a woman will produce in her lifetime.

• Ovulation

  This is the monthly release of the matured egg from the ovary. It occurs around 14 days before the start of your next period.

• Ovum

  This is a mature egg cell that’s ready to travel from the ovary through the fallopian tube to the uterus. If it’s unfertilised it’ll be shed as part of your period.

• Period

  The part of the menstrual cycle when menstrual fluid (the endometrium) is shed.

• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

  The symptoms that some women get before their periods start (usually a week before). These might include temporary weight gain, stomach cramps, bloating of the stomach, backache, headache, breast tenderness, food cravings and feelings a little bit sad or down. Not all women get PMS and these symptoms disappear quickly once the period begins.

• Progesterone

  This is a type of hormone that tells the uterus to prepare for the ovum. It is also one of the hormones that helps a woman produce milk when she is pregnant.

• Puberty

  The time in a child’s life when they begin to mature physically. These physical, emotional and intellectual changes happen between the ages of 8-16 in girls and 10-17 in boys.

• Sexually transmitted diseases

  Diseases that are passed from one person to another through unprotected sex. Using a condom can reduce the risk of catching or spreading infections.

• Underage sex

  The legal age to have sex in this country is 16. That’s not to say when you turn 16 you should start having sex. The decision to have sex with someone is a big deal – so you need to ensure you’re really ready and always use a condom.

• Urethra

  This is the small hole in front of the vaginal opening where urine leaves your body (although it’s next to it, it’s not part of the reproductive system).

• Uterus (also referred to as the womb)

  An organ that is about the size of a pear. When a woman is pregnant it stretches as the baby grows inside it.

• Vagina

  Also called the birth canal, this is the entrance to the reproductive system and where menstrual fluid leaves the body. It’s a flat passageway, usually between three to five inches long between the uterus and the outside of your body. The vagina can hold a tampon in place and expand to allow the birth of a baby.

• Womb (also referred to as the uterus)

  An organ that is about the size of a pear. When a woman is pregnant it stretches as the baby grows inside it.