Oral contraceptive
A birth control pill taken by mouth. Most oral contraceptives include both estrogen and progesterone. When given in certain amounts and at certain times in the menstrual cycle, these hormones prevent the ovary from releasing an egg for fertilization.
See also birth control.
Read Also:
- Oral contraceptive, combined
Commonly called “the pill,” combined oral contraceptives are the most commonly used form of reversible birth control in the United States. This form of birth control suppresses ovulation (the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries) by the combined actions of the hormones estrogen and progestin. If a woman remembers to take the pill […]
- Oral glucose tolerance test
Malabsorption syndrome Insulinoma (an insulin-producing tumor) Addison disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) Hypopituitarism (underactivity of the pituitary gland) Hypothyroidism (underactivity of the thyroid gland)
- Oral moniliasis
Yeast infection of the mouth and throat caused by a fungus formerly called Monilia, now known as Candida albicans. This infection is also known as thrush. Yeast organisms are part of the germs normally found in various parts of the body. They ordinarily do not cause any symptoms. Certain conditions, such as antibiotic use, can […]
- Oral rehydration salts
ORS. A solution of glucose-based salt solution used in oral rehydration therapy. WHO and UNICEF recommend a single formulation of glucose-based ORS to treat or prevent dehydration from diarrhea from any cause, including cholera, and in individuals of any age. In technical terms, this ORS solution contains 75 mEq/l of sodium and 75 mmol/l of […]
- Oral surgeon
A dentist who has special training in surgery to correct problems of the mouth and jaw.