| Macrovascular Disease |
| A disease of the large blood vessels that sometimes occurs when a person has had insulin issues and/or diabetes for a long time. Fat and blood clots build up in the large blood vessels and stick to the vessel walls. Three kinds of macrovascular disease are coronary disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. |
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| Magnesium |
| A mineral which plays a pivotal role in the body’s secretion and utilization of insulin. In fact, studies show that without adequate magnesium the body simply cannot maintain proper blood sugar levels. There is also evidence that magnesium may reduce risk of development of some of diabetics’ most common complications, such as retinopathy (eye disease) and heart disease. Magnesium deficiency may play a role in insulin resistance, carbohydrate intolerance, and hypertension. |
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| Manganese |
| An antioxidant nutrient; important in the blood breakdown of amino acids and the production of energy; necessary for the metabolism of Vitamin B-1 & Vitamin E; Activates various enzymes which are important for proper digestion & utilization of foods; is a catalyst in the breakdown of fats & cholesterol; helps nourish the nerves and brain; necessary for normal skeletal development; maintains sex hormone production. |
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| Maturity-Onset Diabetes |
| Former term for non-insulin-dependent or type II diabetes. See Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. |
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| Meiosis |
| The cell division, peculiar to reproductive cells, which allows genetic material to divide in half. Each new cell will contain twenty-three chromosomes. The spermatids (immature sperm) and ova (eggs) each contain twenty-three chromosomes, so when they combine (fertilize), the baby will have a normal complement of forty-six. |
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| Menopause |
| Total depletion of eggs resulting in the cessation of menstrual periods. The average age of menopause in the United States is 52 years, and 50 years for smokers. |
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| Menarche |
| When menstruation first begins. During the menarche period, menstruation may be irregular and unpredictable. Mood, weight, activity level, and growth rate may fluctuate with the hormone levels as well. Synonymous with female puberty. |
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| Menorrhagia |
| Heavy or prolonged menstrual flow. |
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| Menses |
| The menstrual flow. |
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| Menstruation |
| The cyclical shedding of the uterine lining in response to stimulation from estrogen and progesterone. |
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| Metabolism |
| The term for the way cells chemically change food so that it can be used to keep the body alive. It is a two-part process. One part is called catabolism-when the body uses food for energy. The other is called anabolism-when the body uses food to build or mend cells. Insulin is necessary for the metabolism of food. |
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| Metformin |
| An oral drug that lowers blood glucose (sugar) in a class of medications called biguanides. Metformin lowers the level of sugar in the blood by decreasing the amount of glucose made by the liver and secreted into the blood and by increasing the amount of glucose that muscle and fat cells take out of the blood. Metformin does not alter concentrations of insulin in the blood and, therefore, rarely causes low blood glucose levels. Metformin was approved by the FDA in December of 1994. |
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| Metrodin (Pure FSH) |
| A brand name for an injectable form of Follicle Stimulating Hormone used to stimulate ovulation. |
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| Metrorrhagia |
| Menstrual spotting during the middle of the cycle. |
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| Miscarriage |
| Spontaneous loss of an embryo or fetus from the womb. |
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| Mittleschmerz |
| The discomfort felt on one side of the lower abdomen at the time of ovulation. |
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| Multiple gestation |
| Applies to any woman who has given birth 2 or more times. |
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| Myocardial Infarction |
| Also called a heart attack; results from permanent damage to an area of the heart muscle. This happens when the blood supply to the area is interrupted because of narrowed or blocked blood vessels. |
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| Myoma |
| Also called fibroid. Benign tumors arising from the muscular wall of the uterus. Location can be on the outside of the uterus (subserosal), in the uterine wall (intramural), or pressing into the uterine cavity (submucosal). Fibroids cause uterine enlargement, heavy and abnormal vaginal bleeding, bladder pressure, need for frequent urination, and pelvic pain. May interfere with reproduction, especially if submucosal in location. |
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| Myomectomy |
| Surgical removal of fibroid tumors either hysteroscopically or by an abdominal approach. |
