Definitions of Terms Relating to Men's Health and Sexual Health
Provided by Ontario Men's Health Inc, located in Toronto
Definitions from A - G H - N O - R S - Z
Definition of Heart Attack:
A common term referring to a blockage of an artery to the heart which has resulted in damage to the heart muscle (myocardial infarction).
Definition of Heart Disease:
Referring to a number of conditions with impaired heart function. Most commonly this refers to ischemic heart disease which occurs when the arteries to the heart muscle are narrowed by cholesterol plaques, and this leads to either poor function of the heart muscle, symptoms such as chest pain (angina), or scarring of heart muscle due to lack of blood (infarction).
Definition of Heart Failure:
A weakening of the strength of contractions of the heart muscle. This often leads to fluid collecting in the legs or in the lungs. Common symptoms are shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and swelling of the legs.
Definition of Heterosexual:
Referring to individuals who are attracted to people of the opposite sex. Also referred to as Straight.
Definition of Homosexual:
Referring to individuals who are attracted to people of the same sex. Also referred to as Gay.
Definition of Hormones:
Chemical messengers, produced by glands and distributed to the rest of the body in the blood stream, that act on target organs. The main glands involved in hormone production are the pituitary, pancreas, ovaries, testes, thyroid, and adrenals. Hormones are very important for the physiologic functioning of our bodies.
Definition of Hyperlipidemia:
High Cholesterol (lipid) levels in the bloodstream. This is a risk factor for vascular diseases.
Definition of Hypertension:
High blood pressure. Hypertension is a risk factor for vascular diseases.
Definition of Impotence:
An old term for a condition that is now more accurately referred to as Erectile Dysfunction (see Erectile Dysfunction).
Definition of Intracavernosal Injection Therapy:
A treatment for Erectile Dysfunction which involves a small injection of medicine into one of the cavernosa of the penis. The medication allows blood to flow into the spongy tissues of the penis leading to erection even without sexual stimulation.
Definition of Libido:
The natural human desire for sexual intimacy.
Definition of Low Sex Drive or Low Libido:
The perception that one's sexual interest, or drive, is lower than it should be.
Definition of Masturbation:
Manual non-penetrative stimulation of oneself or a partner for sexual pleasure.
Definition of Men's Health:
The sub-discipline of medicine concerned with preventing, identifying, and treating conditions that are most common in men or specific to men. Men's Health involves an approach unique to men in the evaluation and treatment of problems of men's physical, emotional and sexual health.
Definition of Myocardial Infarction:
Cell death and scarring of the heart muscle which occurs after blockage of an artery to that area of the muscle. This usually occurs due to cholesterol plaque buildup in the arteries or due to rupture of a plaque.
Definition of Nocturnal Emission:
Ejaculation which occurs during sleep, usually in association with erotic dreams. More commonly known as a Wet Dream.