BMI
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a tool that can be used to tell if you're a healthy weight for your height. You can work out which weight range you’re in by following the below:
Take your weight in kilograms (kg) and divide it by your height in metres (m)
Then divide the result by your height in metres (m) again
For example, if you weigh 70kg, and you're 1.75m tall, your BMI would be 22.9 (70/1.75 = 40 and 40/1.75 = 22.9)
There are also several BMI calculators avilable online.
Breakthrough bleeding
Breakthrough bleeding or ‘spotting' is bleeding in between your periods and can occur while taking hormonal contraceptives or due to many other medical conditions. The bleeding is usually light though a few women may experience heavier bleeding.
Cervix
The cervix (or neck of the uterus) is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina.
Fibroids
Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths in the uterus (womb). Fibroids can vary in size and are rare in women under the age of 20, most common in women in their 30s and 40s, and tend to shrink after the menopause.
Hormonal contraceptives
Hormonal contraceptives contain hormones that work in a similar way to hormones that occur naturally in your body.
Non-hormonal contraceptives
Non-hormonal contraceptives work either by stopping sperm from fertilising an egg or by preventing a fertilised egg implanting into the lining of the womb.
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
LARCs are methods of contraception that are administered less than one cycle a month. Methods include the contraceptive implant, contraceptive injection, intrauterine system (IUS) and intrauterine device (IUD or the 'coil').
Migraines with aura
Migraines with aura tend to have visual cues that may occur 10-30 minutes before the onset of a migraine attack. This includes blind spots, zig-zag or wavy lines, flashing dots, blinking lights and vision loss.
Missed pill window
A missed pill window is the time in which you can take a pill each day (both combined pill or progestogen-only pill). If you take it outside of this window it is counted as a missed pill and an additional form of contraception may be required. Most pills have a 3-12 hour window depending on the type of pill. eg if you take a pill at 10am on Monday, you would need to take the next pill at 10am Tuesday. If you forget, you have until 1pm (for three hour pill) or 10pm (for 12 hour pill) to take the next tablet. The next pill should still be taken at 10am Wednesday.
Estrogen
Estrogen is one of the female sex hormones and controls your ability to have periods and get pregnant. It also impacts on mood, cholesterol levels and bone strength. A synthetic version of estrogen is included in combined hormonal contraceptives such as ‘the Pill', contraceptive patch and contraceptive ring.
Ovaries
Women have two ovaries, one on each side of their womb. They are small glands that store eggs. Inside the ovaries are hundreds of thousands of pre-eggs, called follicles. Some of these grow into eggs.
Ovarian cysts
An ovarian cyst is a sac of tissue that develops inside an ovary. It is very common, usually painless and will often go away without treatment. Most ovarian cysts are small, benign (non-cancerous) and do not produce any symptoms. Larger cysts may cause problems, such as pain and swelling in your abdomen.
Pessary
A pessary is a way of delivering medicines through the walls of the vagina. Pessaries are solid, bullet-shaped preparations designed for easy insertion into the vagina. They can be inserted using your fingers, or may come with an applicator.
Progestogen
Progestogen is the synthentic form of the female hormone progesterone, which is part of the menstrual cycle and also maintains pregnancy. Progestogen is found in all hormonal contraceptives.
Uterus (womb)
The womb, or uterus, is the muscular, pear-shaped organ at the top of the vagina where a baby grows before being born.
Ovulation
Ovulation is when one or more eggs are released from one of your ovaries. This is the most fertile time of your menstrual cycle.