554 List of Difficult Words
hormones Chemicals the body makes that
tell it how and when to grow. Estrogen and
progesterone are the most important hormones
for women.
hospital A medical center with doctors, nurses,
and special equipment for finding or treating
serious illnesses.
HPV Some strains of Human Papilloma Virus
cause genital warts, others cause cervical cancer.
There is now a HPV vaccine.
hydrogen peroxide A chemical that kills germs,
often used for cleaning wounds.
hymen A thin piece of skin that partially closes
off the vaginal opening. In some communities,
a woman is no longer considered a virgin if her
hymen is torn, even though it can be torn by
activities other than sex.
hysterectomy An operation in which the womb is
removed.
I
immune system The parts of the body that
recognize harmful germs and try to fight off
infection.
immunization See vaccination.
implantation When the fertilized egg attaches to
the womb wall at the beginning of pregnancy.
implants A family planning method in which 1 or
2 small tubes containing hormones are put under
the skin.
impotence When a man is unable to have sex,
usually because his penis will not get or stay hard.
incest Sexual relations between family members
or relatives.
incision A cut made into the body.
incomplete abortion When part of a pregnancy
remains in the womb after an abortion.
indigestion See heartburn.
infant formula Artificial milk for babies used
instead of breast milk. Infant formula and
other replacement foods do not have the same
nutrition or health benefits as breast milk.
infection A sickness caused by bacteria, viruses, or
other organisms. Infections may affect part of the
body or all of it.
infectious disease Diseases caused by germs or
parasites that can be spread from one person to
another.
infertility When a woman has had sex regularly
during her fertile time for one year but has been
unable to get pregnant. A woman with repeated
miscarriages is also considered infertile.
infibulation A form of female genital cutting
in which the outside genitals are cut away
and the opening to the vagina is sewn almost
closed. Deinfibulation is when it is reopened for
childbir th.
inheritance The possessions, property, or money
a person receives after someone dies.
injections When medicine or other liquid is put
into the body using a syringe and needle.
inner folds The part of a woman’s genitals that
lie just inside the hairy outer folds of the vulva.
The inner folds are soft flaps of skin without hair
that are sensitive to touch.
intestines The guts or tube-like part of the food
canal that carries food and finally waste from the
stomach to the anus.
intimacy Sharing your private thoughts and
feelings with someone.
intramuscular injection (IM) Injection deep into
the muscle.
intra-uterine device (IUD, IUCD) A small object
that is put into the womb to prevent pregnancy.
intravenous (IV) When medicines or fluids are
put into a vein.
iodine A mineral found in the ground and some
foods that prevents goiter and mental slowness at
bir th.
iron A mineral found in some foods that helps
make the blood healthy.
J
jaundice Yellow color of the skin and eyes. Jaundice
can be a sign of hepatitis or of newborn jaundice.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012