Medical dictionary

What is the vaginal ring? The vaginal ring, also known as the contraceptive ring, is a contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy. The ring sits inside the vagina and releases continuous doses of oestrogen and progestogen into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. The progestogen helps prevent sperm from entering the uterus by causing the

What is vaginismus?Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles in the vagina spasm and tighten involuntarily in response to sexual penetration, gynaecological examination or insertion of a tampon. The tightening or even closing of the vagina is completely unconscious, like the reflex of the eye shutting when something comes close to it. For many women and their partners this can cause a great degr

What is vaginitis?Vaginitis is the inflammation of the vagina and vulva, causing itching, pain or discomfort and discharge. It is one of the most frequent gynaecological problems and it is estimated that ninety per cent of women will suffer from some form of vaginitis throughout their lives.There are different types of vaginitis:Bacterial vaginosis Yeast infection (thrush)Trichomoniasis  

What is vaginoplasty? Vaginoplasty is a vaginal rejuvenation surgery that aims to correct the distension and loosening of the vaginal canal tissues and to recover the tightening and contraction capacity of the vaginal muscles. Both childbirth and ageing can cause the vaginal canal muscles to loosen. Vaginoplasty is a gynaecological procedure that is sometimes referred to as vaginal rejuven

What is analysed?Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant medicine used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. The valproic acid test measures the level of valproic acid in the blood.What does the result mean?The result indicates the concentration of valproic acid in the blood.Why conduct the analysis?The valproic acid test ensures that the prescribed dose of valproic acid for treatment is appropriate

What is valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David procedure)?Valve-sparing aortic root replacement, also known as the David procedure, is a surgical technique used to treat aortic root aneurysms while preserving the patient’s native aortic valve. It’s performed to prevent complications such as aortic dissection or rupture while maintaining normal valve function. Unlike traditional aortic root r

What is valvular heart disease? Valvular heart disease includes any disease that affect the valves of the heart. These pathologies affect the aortic and mitral valve on the left side and the pulmonary and tricuspid valves on the right side of the heart. If they get worse and are not treated, they can affect the flow of blood through the heart and cause serious heart problems. Valvular heart

What is a valvuloplasty? The heart has four valves, which determine the pathway of blood flow through the heart. The mitral and tricuspid valves are located between the atria and the ventricles, whilst the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve are found between the ventricles and the arteries leaving the heart. Heart valve repair or valvuloplasty is a surgical technique used to fix defects in he

What is being analysed here? Vancomycin is being analysed. It is an antibiotic belonging to the glycopeptide group. It is used to treat severe infections caused by vancomycin-sensitive gram-positive bacteria. What does the analysis of vancomycin evaluate? This analysis evaluates the concentration of vancomycin in the blood serum. What does the result mean? The result indicates t