BIO-FEM: Useful Glossary

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

A healthy vaginal environment contains "good" bacteria called lactobacilli, and a few other types of bacteria called coccoid bacteria. Lactobacilli are responsible for the healthy vaginal acidity (pH between 3.8 and 4.5) which inhibits the growth of coccoid bacteria. The loss of this vaginal acidity and the presence of too many coccoid bacteria is called "Bacterial Vaginosis" or "BV".

The symptoms can be recognized by excessive or coloured vaginal discharge. The discharge tends to have a fishy smell and is often accompanied with other discomforts. The vaginal pH is affected and becomes greater than 5. It is important to treat BV as the bacteria may get up into the uterus and cause serious problems. Treatment is especially important in pregnant women. Of course, prevention is always best.

Breast Engorgement

Occurs in the mammary glands when too much breast milk is contained within them. It is caused by insufficient breastfeeding or milk expression often through blocked milk ducts. When engorged the breasts may swell, throb and be tender to touch.

Candidiasis (yeast infection/thrush)

Candidiasis is the infection of the vagina with the common yeast candida albicans. This yeast occurs in our bowel, mouth, skin and also the vagina. Under certain circumstances it can grow rampant, invade the tissues and thus cause an infection. 37% of the women who refer to their doctor because of vaginal infection have candidiasis. The complaints start with excessive vaginal discharge and itching of the genital area. The discharge looks a bit like cottage cheese and has an unpleasant smell. Swelling, redness, irritation of the outer and inner labia and painful urinating, painful sex are other frequent symptoms.

Cervix

The cone shaped neck of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina. It is about one inch long, and is penetrated by the cervical canal (the os), which permits the menstrual period and fetus to pass from the uterus into the vagina, and sperm to pass from the vagina into the uterus.

Chlamydia or Chlamydia trachomatis

A common sexually transmitted disease, which often has no visible symptoms. If untreated, chlamydia can make a woman infertile or be passed to a baby during childbirth, causing pneumonia, eye infections and, in severe cases, blindness. Chlamydia is not routinely tested for but can be treated with antibiotics.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. It can be caused by too little insulin (a chemical produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.

To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process of food metabolism. Several things happen when food is digested:

A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body. An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.

People with diabetes have high blood glucose. This is because their pancreas does not make enough insulin or their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally, or both.

Endometrium

The mucous membrane lining the uterus.

Estrogen: see Oestrogen

Excessive discharge: see Fluor vaginalis

Fallopian tube

One of a pair of long, slender ducts in the female abdomen that transport ova from the ovary to the uterus and, in fertilization, transport sperm cells from the uterus to the released ova.

Fluor vaginalis (excessive discharge)

Excessive discharge is always caused by a disturbance of the balance of the vaginal environment, so by an irritation of the vagina. This does not necessarily involve a real infection that needs medication. Excessive discharge can be caused by bacteria, parasites, yeast or viruses, but also by "mechanical" irritation e.g. tight trousers or occlusion e.g. synthetic underwear and panty liners. You should take action to prevent the development of a real infection. You must apply extra vaginal hygiene: no soap but washing with lukewarm slightly acid water and internal "washing" with a vaginal douche. Often excessive discharge also comes with itching, pain (during sex as well), burning or irritated labia. BIO-FEM Actigel is a great relief for these complaints.

Follicle

One of the small ovarian sacs containing an immature ovum.

Fornix

On both sides of the cervix the vagina bulges out into a pocket, which is called a fornix.

Genital Herpes

An infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) that is usually transmitted by sexual contact; marked by recurrent attacks of painful eruptions on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital area.

HPV

Human Papilloma Virus is the cause of warts of the hands and feet, as well as lesions of the mucous membranes of the oral, anal and genital cavities. More than 50 types of HPV have been identified, some of which are associated with cancerous and precancerous conditions. The virus can be transmitted through sexual contact and is a precursor to cancer of the cervix. There is no specific cure for an HPV infection, but the virus often can be controlled by podophyllin (medicine derived from the roots of the plant Podophyllum peltatum) or interferon, and the warts can be removed.

Itching: see Pruritis vulvae

Lutenizing hormone (LH)

Luteinizing hormone: a hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that, in the female, stimulates maturation of the ovarian follicle and formation of the corpus luteum.

Menarche

The first time that a girl or young woman menstruates.

Nipple Eczema

Can cause considerable pain and discomfort for a few women. Eczema causes inflammation of the skin leading to blister-like lesions that crust over. You will need referral to a skin specialist if you develop eczema.

Nipple Thrush

Is a fungal infection. It is common in the first weeks after birth but can develop at any time. Signs and symptoms include:

Severe burning nipple pain for the entire breastfeed. Correct latch does not alter the pain.
The nipples are a brighter pink than normal. However they may look normal.
Breast pain, which feels like red hot needles radiating from behind the nipple toward the bac
Thrush around the baby's mouth or buttocks

Nipple Vasospasms

Nipple vasospasms are the painful sensations that affect some women during breastfeeding. Women affected by nipple vasospasms describe the pain as an intense throbbing or stabbing sensation in the breast and back area. The veins within the breast constrict, causing painful sensations.

Nipple vasospasms are linked to Raynaud's Phenomenon, a disorder typified by episodes of vasospastic attacks in the fingers and toes and sometimes the nose and earlobes. Symptoms and causes are:

having circulatory problems that intensify in cold weather or under emotional stress
nipples that will change colors from white to purple in between breast feedings
stabbing, stinging, burning pain throughout the chest area, back and shoulders

Oestrogen (estrogen)

Any one of a group of hormones synthesized by the reproductive organs and adrenal glands in females and, in lesser quantities in males. The oestrogens cause the thickening of the lining of the uterus and vagina in the early phase of the ovulatory, or menstrual, cycle. The oestrogens are also responsible for female secondary sex characteristics such as, in humans, pubic hair and breasts, and they affect other tissues including the genital organs, skin, hair, blood vessels, bone, and pelvic muscles.

Pelvic Actinomycosis

Pelvic Actinomycosis affects the women's pelvic area and may cause lower abdominal pain, fever, and bleeding between menstrual periods. This form of the infection has been associated with the use of IUDs (intra-uterine devices) that do not contain copper.

Pituitary

A small, somewhat cherry-shaped double structure attached by a stalk to the base of the brain and constituting the master endocrine gland affecting all hormonal functions in the body.

Progesterone

Female sex hormone that induces changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. A steroid, progesterone is secreted chiefly by the corpus luteum, a group of cells formed in the ovary after the follicle ruptures during the release of the egg cell. If fertilization does not take place, the secretion of progesterone decreases and menstruation occurs. If fertilization does occur, progesterone is secreted during pregnancy by the placenta and acts to prevent spontaneous abortion; the hormone also prepares the mammary glands for milk production. Progesterone is also synthesized from cholesterol in the cortex of the adrenal gland where it is a precursor for the synthesis of other steroids including testosterone. Synthetic compounds with progesterone like activity have been developed that, along with oestrogen, are used in oral contraceptives.

Pruritis vulvae

This is the persistent itching of the labia. It can be caused by different factors such as allergies e.g. synthetic underwear, soap, the rubber of condoms, sprays, medication, infections, irritation/occlusion by tight trousers or hygienic towels, rough toilet paper, not frequently enough changing of sanitary napkins etc. It is important that you check for yourself which factor can be the cause of your complaint and avoid that factor. Against this itching you should apply BIO-FEM Actigel, because you should not get into the vicious circle in which scratching will cause more irritation and thus more itch.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone (androgen) secreted by the interstitial cells of the testis of mammals and responsible for triggering the development of sperm and of many secondary sexual characteristics.

Trichomonasis

Trichomonasis or Trichomonas Vaginalis is an anaerobic and occasionally parasitic protozoan that is frequently present in the vagina in women and the urethra in men. Trichomoniasis can occur in females (males rarely exhibit any symptoms of a T. vaginalis infection) if the normal acidity of the vagina is shifted from a healthy pH of between 3.8 and 4.5 to a much more basic range of 5.0 to 6.0 that is conducive to Trichomonas Vaginalis growth.

Vulvitis and vaginitis

These are infections of the vulva (the area of the labia) and the vagina. The infection occurs when harmful (pathogenic) micro-organisms are present and get a chance to grow rampant. Decreased resistance offers such a chance. Often a sexual transmitted micro-organism is present. The complaints are usually pain (also during sex), burning, itching, swelling and redness. Excessive discharge is again present and it usually looks abnormal and smells unpleasant. Again extra vaginal hygiene is important. We also advise to apply BIO-FEM Actigel internally and externally. BIO-FEM Actigel helps to restore a healthy vaginal condition and is very effective against the complaints as well. Sometimes the problem is however of dermatological origin and in case of small wounds, blisters and flaking of the skin around the vaginal area it is wise to consult a dermatologist.

Yeast infection: see Candidiasis

Useful Glossary

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