List of Difficult Words 553
gangrene When skin and tissue dies because of a
lack of blood to that area.
gauze Soft, loosely woven kind of cloth used for
bandages.
gender discrimination See discrimination.
gender role The way a community defines what
it means to be a woman or man.
generic The name of the main ingredient in a
medicine.
genital herpes A sexually transmitted infection
that produces sores on the genitals or on the
mouth.
genital warts Growths on the genitals, caused by
the HPV virus which is passed during sex.
genitals The sexual parts both inside and outside
a woman’s body.
German measles A disease spread by a virus that
can harm a baby growing in the womb.
germs Very small organisms that can grow in the
body and cause some infectious diseases.
gland A small sac that produces fluid.
glaucoma A disease of the eye in which too
much pressure builds up inside the eyeball and
damages vision. Glaucoma can happen slowly
(chronic glaucoma) or suddenly (acute glaucoma).
glaze The liquid coating on a clay pot that
hardens when fired and keeps water from
seeping through the clay.
goiter A swelling on the lower front of the neck
(enlargement of the thyroid gland) caused by lack
of iodine in the diet.
gonorrhea A sexually transmitted infection.
groin the very top of the leg where it joins the
body in the front, next to the genitals.
gut thread A special thread for sewing or
stitching tears from childbirth. The gut thread is
slowly absorbed (disappears) so that the stitches
do not need to be taken out.
H
hallucinations Seeing strange things or hearing
voices that others do not see or hear.
health centers Places that provide a middle level
of health care, usually in larger towns. Health
centers may have trained nurses and doctors.
health posts A place that provides health care
like immunizations, prenatal care, family planning,
and health exams.
heartburn A burning feeling in the throat that is
common in later pregnancy.
helper foods Foods that provide nutrition—like
protein, vitamins, minerals, fats, and sugar—that are
needed in addition to the main food.
hemorrhage Heavy bleeding.
hemorrhoids Small, painful bumps or lumps at
the edge of the anus or inside it. They are a type
of swollen veins that may burn, hurt, or itch.
hepatitis A serious disease of the liver caused by
a virus. Some forms of hepatitis can be sexually
transmitted.
herbicides Chemicals used to kill unwanted
plants.
herpes Several diseases caused by different
viruses that cause sores on the mouth or genitals.
Herpes can be passed through sex.
herpes zoster (shingles) A painful rash caused
by the chickenpox virus, with blisters on the face,
back, and chest.
high blood pressure When the force or pressure
of the blood upon the walls of the arteries and
veins is harder than normal.
HIV (Human Immune-deficiency Virus) It is the
virus that causes AIDS.
hives Hard, thick, raised spots on the skin that
itch severely. They may come and go all at once
or move from one place to another. A sign of
allergic reaction.
home remedies Traditional ways of healing.
hookworm A parasitic worm that infects the
intestines.
hormonal methods Family planning methods that
prevent the woman’s ovary from releasing an egg
and keep the lining of the womb from supporting
a pregnancy.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012