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176. lead

a metal, found in some paints and other surfaces that can make infants and young children sick.

177. lesion

an infected or diseased area of skin.

178. let-down reflex, or milk-ejection reflex

A conditioned reflex ejecting milk from the alveoli through the ducts to the sinuses of the breast and the nipple.

179. libido

sexual drive.

180. local analgesic

An analgesic is a drug that relieves pain. Pain-relieving drugs can be given to a woman during labor and delivery locally through a needle inserted into a muscle (intra-muscular) or under the skin (subcutaneous).

181. lunar

derived from the Latin luna, meaning moon, may refer to having to do with or pertaining to the Moon, or to moons in general.

182. lunar calendar

a calendar that is based on cycles of the moon phase.

183. lunar cycle

(or Moon phase) refers to the appearance of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen by an observer, usually on Earth. The lunar phases vary cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. One half of the lunar surface is always illuminated by the Sun (except during lunar eclipses), and is hence bright, but the portion of the illuminated hemisphere that is visible to an observer can vary from 100% (full moon) to 0% (new moon).

184. luteinizing hormone

a hormone that triggers ovulation and stimulates the corpus luteum (empty follicle) to make progesterone.

185. Lyme disease

a bacterial illness caused by a bacterium called a ìspirocheteî that is transmitted to humans from the bite of a deer tick. It can cause abnormalities in the skin, joints, heart and nervous system.

186. lymph

the almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infection and disease. Lymph tissue in the breast helps remove waste.

187. malignant

cancerous

188. mammary ducts

ducts in the breast that carry milk to the lactiferous sinuses and the nipple.

189. mastitis

a condition that occurs mostly in breastfeeding women, causing a hard spot on the breast that can be sore or uncomfortable. It is caused by infection from bacteria that enters the breast through a break or crack in the skin on the nipple or by a plugged milk duct.

190. meningitis

infection which causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

191. menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)

replaces the hormones that a woman’s ovaries stop making at the time of menopause, easing symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It involves using man-made estrogen alone or estrogen with a progestin, often in the form of a pill or skin patch. MHT used to be called hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. [A recent, large study found that use of MHT poses some serious risks, such as increasing some women’s risk for breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). Women who choose to use MHT should use the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time needed. Talk with your doctor to find out if MHT is right for you and discuss other ways to relieve menopause symptoms.]

192. menopause

the transition in a woman’s life when production of the hormone estrogen in her body falls permanently to very low levels, the ovaries stop producing eggs, and menstrual periods stop for good. In medical terminology, menopause itself is only one day ó the day you haven’t had a period for 12 months in a row.

193. menstrual cycle

a recurring cycle in which the lining of the uterus thickens in preparation for pregnancy and then is shed if pregnancy does not occur.

194. menstruating

The blood flow from the uterus that happens about every 4 weeks in a woman.

195. milk ducts

see mammary ducts.

196. milk sinuses

see lactiferous sinuses.

197. milk-ejection reflex

see let-down reflex.

198. mineral

an element (such as calcium, iron, sodium, or potassium) that is obtained from food and is needed by the body.

199. miscarriage

an unplanned loss of a pregnancy. Also called a spontaneous abortion.

200. monounsaturated fats

molecules consisting primarily of carbon and hydrogen, in which two of the carbon atoms are joined by a double bond.

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