Birth Control Pills / Contraceptive Pills - Glossary

Acne: A disorder of the skin marked by inflammation of oil glands and hair glands.

Coitus: Sexual intercourse between a man and woman in which the man inserts his penis into the woman's vagina.

Contraception: Birth control; deliberate prevention of the conception of offspring by any of various means.

Contraindication: Inadvisability of using a substance that may cause harm under specific circumstances. For example, high- caloric intake in someone who is overweight is contraindicated.

Fallopian tubes: Structures between the ovaries and the uterus through which the egg travels to the uterus.

Fertility: The ability to produce children.

Hormones: Chemicals produced by glands in the body and circulated in the bloodstream. Hormones control the actions of certain cells or organs.

Injection: Using a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot". The needle is positioned into the tissue under the skin (subcutaneous), into a vein (intravenous), or into a muscle (intramuscular).