Sexual Dictionary - letter M

Malaria
an infectious disease of the tropics caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one person to another through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes are present in the tropics and subtropics in almost all countries. Malaria is characterized by high fever and chills. The fever typically recurs every third day. Some forms of malaria can be fatal.
Male reproductive system
see reproductive system.
Malformation
a structural defect of an organ, part of an organ, or a larger region of the body due to abnormal developmental process.
Malignant
characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth. Life threatening.
Malnutrition
nutrition disorders due to a poor or improper diet.
Mammary gland
glands in the female breast consisting of lobes containing clusters of alveoli with a system of ducts that make and deliver breast milk to the nipple.
Mania
a mood disorder which may be characterized by extreme elation, impulsivity, irritability, nervousness, and/or poor judgment. Mania it is seen as the opposite of depression.
Marijuana
dried greenish-brown drug obtained from the leaves or flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant. Makes the user feel euphoric. Most users roll loose marijuana into a cigarette called a joint. The drug can also be smoked in a water pipe, called a bong. Marijuana is also called weed, grass, dope, hash, reefer, ganja, mary jane, or pot. It is an illicit drug.
Marital Rape
any unwanted sexual acts by a spouse or ex-spouse, committed without consent and/or against a person's will, obtained by force, or threat of force, intimidation, or when a person is unable to consent. These sexual acts include vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Mate
term used to describe one's committed sexual, romantic, or life partner.
Massage
a method of manipulation of the body by rubbing, pinching, kneading, tapping, etc., in therapeutic heatlh purposes that can be helpful to relieve tension, improve circulation, stretch connective tissue, and producing relaxation.
Erotic massage - a form of massage intended for sexual arousement rather than therapeutic heatlh purposes. It may increase response to sensual stimulus and may be used as a stage towards sexual intercourse.
Masculinity
the quality or condition of behaving in ways considered characteristic for the male sex.
Masochism
a sexual perversion in which sexual gratification is derived from being physically or emotionally abused especially by the love partner. It is the counterpart of sadism.
Mastectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the breast and sometimes other tissue like the axillary lymph nodes.
Mastitis
an infection and infamation of the breast.
Masturbation
manual or instrumental stimulation especially of one's own genitals, vagina and anus for sexual pleasure, commonly resulting in orgasm. Also called onanism. See also sexual behavior.
Meatus
a body opening or passage, especially from the body to the outside such as the opening of the ear or the urinary channel.
Medication
something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease or the act or process of treating with medicine or remedies.
Medicine
1) the science of diagnosing, treating, or preventing disease and other damage to the body or mind.
2) substance that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease.
Menarche
the first menstrual period, usually occurring during puberty between the ages of 11 and 14. Before 9 is abnormally early and after 16 is abnormally late.
Menopause
the period of natural cessation of ovarian activity and menstruation and marks the end of the reproductive capacity of women. Natural menopause is a natural part of aging and occur usually between the ages of 45 and 50 due to hormonal changes. Menopause can be caused also by surgery or medical treatments that affect the ovaries. It is characterized by physiological and psychical changes. The most common symptoms are hot flashes, vaginal atrophy and mood changes. Also called the change or climateric.
Menorrhagia
a condition of excessive amount of blood loss or normal blood loss with increased loss of tissue fluid. May occurs in association with an organic condition of the uterus, in the absence of any detectable uterine abnormality. Can be caused by vitamin K deficiency, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic infections, endometrial cancer, fibroids or use of intrauterine device (IUD).
Menses
the monthly discharge of blood and bloody fluid from the uterus of nonpregnant women from puberty to menopause. Women menses are usually between 24 to 32 days, painless in general, variable blood flow of three to five days with minor emotional and physical discomfort. Also called menstrual period.
Menstrual cramps
see dysmenorrhea.
Menstrual cycle
the periodic change in a woman's body that occurs every month beginning at menarche and ending at menopause and related to reproduction - involves changes to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) and the menses, days of fertility and releasing of an ovum (egg) by an ovary. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but may vary between 21 and 40 days in normal women. It is controlled by two main hormones each play a role in the control of the menstrual cycle : estrogen and progesterone. There are 3 phases in menstrual cycle :
  • follicular phase - the time before ovulation that starts with menstrual bleeding, changes in length according to the length of the cycle, which can vary. During follicular phase the endometrium thickens and a new ovarian follicle begin to grow inside the ovaries. Usually just one follicle fully matures and ovulates.
  • ovulatory phase - when the egg is released from its ovarian follicle. Ovulation is the time around when a woman is most likely to conceive.
  • luteal phase - the time after ovulation, remains fairly constant - usually about 14 days and ends just before the firs day of a new menstrual bleeding. Durring luteal phase the endometrium continues to mature until a sudden drop in hormone levels triggers menstruation
Menstruation
vaginal bleeding resulting from the process of periodic shedding of the endometrium in response to stimulation from estrogen and progesterone. The first day of menstrual flow marks the beginning of a new menstrual cycle. Menstruation occur only when pregnancy does not occur.
Also called menstrual period or menstrual flow.
Menstruation disorders
occur most commonly below age 19 or over age 39. Menstrual cycle commonly lasts 28 days but may vary between 21 and 42 days in normal women. Duration it is significant only when there is a change in menstrual pattern. Menstruation bleeding normally lasts 4 - 7 days. Normal menstrual blood loss varies from 30 - 120 mls. Change in pattern is more significant than absolute duration or volume. Menstrual discharge it is composed of tissue fluid (20 - 40%), blood (50 - 80 %) and endometrial fragments (10 - 30 %).
Common menstrual disorders :
  • amenorrhea - the absence of menstruation
  • hypomenorrhea - excessively light periods
  • menorrhagia - excessively heavy regular periods
  • metrorrhagia - irregular acyclical heavy bleeding between menstrual periods
  • oligomenorrhea - infrequent menstruation
  • polymenorrhagia (also called epimenorrhagia) - regular frequent and heavy periods
  • polymenorrhea (also called epimenorrhea) - regular but too frequent menstrual periods
Menstrue
the menstrual flux.
Metabolism
the sum of all the physical and chemical processes by which a particular substance is handled, as by assimilation and incorporation, or by detoxification and excretion, in the living body. The process of metabolism maintain the body and produce energy.
Metastasize
the transfer of disease from one organ or part to another not directly connected with it. The spread of cancer cells through the lymph nodes or bloodstream from its primary tumor to distant parts of the body and form secondary tumors.
Metrorrhagia
any bleeding from the uterus between menstrual periods. Can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, beginning or stopping oral contraceptives, certain drugs such as anticoagulants, endometriosis, injury to the vagina from insertion of objects, from malignant cancers, or from vaginal infections or vaginal dryness.
Microbe
another term for a microorganism.
Microorganism
microscopic size organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, microscopic algae, protozoa, and viruses. Invisible to the naked eye, the microorganism can be seen only under a microscope.
Miction
urination.
MID
minimal ifecting dose. The smallest quantity of infectious material regularly producing infection.
Miscarriage
natural loss of a nonviable fetus from the uterus before it is sufficiently developed to survive outside the uterus. More than 80 % of miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Causes of miscarriage could be : chromosomal abnormalities, illness, hormonal imbalance, abnormalities of the uterus and cervix, immune system problems. Often no cause is found.
Also called spontaneous abortion.
Missionary position
the traditional sexual position of the woman lying on her back while the man penetrates her from above.
Molluscum contagiosum
a viral infection of the skin and mucous membranes characterized by lesions with depressed centers containing a curd-like substance. The disease most frequently occurs in children and adults with impaired immune response. It is transmitted from person to person by direct contact, saliva, or shared articles of clothing and lasts up to three years. It is also autoinoculable.
Also called water wart.
Moniliasis
see candidiasis.
Monogamy
the state of marriage to only one person at a time. In opposition with polygamy.
Mononucleosis
an acute disease characterized by fever and swollen lymph nodes and an abnormal increase of mononuclear white cells in the bloodstream. Some believe it can be transmitted by kissing.
Monospermy
the normal condition in which the egg it is fertilized by only one spermatozoon.
See also dispermy and polyspermy.
Mons pubis
in women, a pad of fatty tissue over the pubic bone that protects the internal sexual and reproductive organs. After puberty is covered with pubic hair.
Also called mons veneris - (latin, mound of Venus).
Morning After Pill
a hormonal contraceptive that is taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Also known as emergency contraception or emergency birth control. See also birth control methods.
Morphine
a strong narcotic pain medication, the principal active agent in opium.
Motility
the ability to move spontaneously and independently. Also referres to the ability of spermatozoa to move and progress forward through the reproductive tract and fertilize the egg.
Mucosa
the membrane covering canals and cavities that open on the outside of the body (such as the nose, mouth, lungs, vagina, anus) and makes mucus. Also called mucous membrane.
Mucus
a thick, lubricating fluid produced by the mucous membranes that line the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts. Serves for protection or lubrication and prevents tissues from drying out.
See also cervical mucous.
Mumps
an acute and highly contagious viral disease that usually occurs in childhood. It is spread by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract. characterised by fever, headache, and inflammation of the salivary glands. It may lead to complications such as meningitis. Can be prevented by vaccination.
Mutation
any change in the DNA of a cell.
Mutual masturbation
sexual activity in which partners stimulate each other’s genitals with hands or sex toys.
Myalgia
muscle pain.
Mycosis
any disease caused by a fungus.