Clinical glossary

A

Acupuncture

A therapeutic technique that involves the insertion of fine, single-use sterile needles into specific anatomical points to influence neural and microcirculatory pathways. Strongest randomised-trial evidence is in chronic pain, headache, sleep disturbance, and chemotherapy-induced nausea. → Our acupuncture service

Acrochordon SKIN TAG

The clinical name for a skin tag — a benign, pedunculated fibrous polyp that typically appears in folds (neck, armpits, groin). Removable in seconds with radiofrequency, cautery, or simple snip excision. → Removal options

Andrology

The medical specialty concerned with male reproductive and sexual health — including erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disorders, male infertility, hypogonadism, and Peyronie's disease.

B

Basson model

A model of female sexual response (Rosemary Basson, 2000) describing desire as often "responsive" — arising from intimacy, context, and arousal — rather than spontaneous. Foundational for understanding female desire in long-term relationships. → Read more

Bacterial vaginosis BV

A disturbance of the normal vaginal lactobacillus-dominant flora, leading to overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Presents with off-white discharge, fishy odour, and sometimes mild itching. Treated with oral or vaginal metronidazole or clindamycin; douching worsens recurrence.

C

Condyloma acuminatum

The clinical name for an anogenital wart, caused most commonly by HPV types 6 and 11. Treatable in clinic by cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, CO₂ laser, or topical agents; recurrence is common because the underlying HPV may persist for months. → Treatment service

Cryotherapy

The therapeutic application of extreme cold (liquid nitrogen, –196 °C) to destroy abnormal tissue. Standard option for small genital warts and for some benign skin lesions; typically requires 1-3 sessions.

D

Dapoxetine

A short-acting SSRI specifically licensed in many jurisdictions for on-demand treatment of premature ejaculation. Pooled phase III trial data show approximately threefold IELT improvement. → PE evidence review

E

Erectile dysfunction ED

The persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Most commonly vascular in origin in men over 40; often the first detectable manifestation of cardiovascular disease. → Treatment · → ED as heart warning

Endothelium

The single layer of cells lining all blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction — the earliest measurable change in vascular disease — typically appears in the smallest arteries (including the penile arteries) before larger arteries show symptoms.

F

Focused shockwave

An acoustic-wave therapy that delivers energy precisely to a target depth in deep tissue. Distinct from radial shockwave, which disperses energy more shallowly. Used in the clinic for erectile dysfunction (Li-ESWT). → Service detail

G

Genital warts

See condyloma acuminatum.

H

HIFU HIGH-INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND

A focused-ultrasound technology that delivers thermal energy at a precise tissue depth without surgical incision. At our clinic, used through an intravaginal probe for collagen remodeling in vaginal-wall connective tissue (Reju-V protocol). → Service detail

HPV HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

A family of more than 200 viruses, of which around 40 affect the anogenital region. Low-risk types (6, 11) cause warts; high-risk types (16, 18, 31, 33, 45) are associated with cervical, anal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. → HPV explainer · → HPV vaccine after 26

I

IELT INTRAVAGINAL EJACULATION LATENCY TIME

The time from initiation of vaginal intercourse to ejaculation, measured in minutes. Used clinically to assess premature ejaculation. Population median is 5.4 minutes (Waldinger et al., 2005, 500 couples, five countries). → Sex duration data

IIEF-5 SHIM

The Sexual Health Inventory for Men — a validated 5-question screening instrument for erectile dysfunction. Scores 5-25; lower indicates more severe ED. Used in our online Sexual Wellness Assessment. → Take the assessment

L

Li-ESWT LOW-INTENSITY EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE

A non-invasive treatment that uses focused low-intensity acoustic waves to stimulate neovascularisation in target tissue. Standard outpatient option for vasculogenic erectile dysfunction; one of the few therapies that addresses the underlying vascular cause rather than the symptom alone. → Treatment

M

Micropenis

A clinical diagnosis applied only when stretched flaccid penile length is more than 2.5 standard deviations below the mean for age — practically, under approximately 9.3 cm in adult men. A vanishingly rare condition; the term is not appropriate for sizes within or near the normal range. → Size data

Milia

Tiny (1-2 mm) keratin-filled cysts in the upper dermis, often around the eyes and cheeks. Not pimples; do not respond to acne treatments. Best removed by fine-needle extraction. → Removal

N

Neovascularisation

The formation of new blood vessels in tissue. Triggered by Li-ESWT in erectile tissue and by PEMF in injured musculoskeletal tissue — the central mechanism by which both therapies act on underlying pathology.

P

PDE5 inhibitor PHOSPHODIESTERASE TYPE 5

A class of medications (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil) that enhance penile smooth-muscle relaxation during sexual stimulation by inhibiting the breakdown of cyclic GMP. First-line pharmacologic treatment for erectile dysfunction.

PEDT PREMATURE EJACULATION DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

A validated 5-question screening instrument for premature ejaculation. Total score 0-20: ≤8 = no PE; 9-10 = probable PE; ≥11 = clinical PE. Used in our online Sexual Wellness Assessment alongside the IIEF-5.

PEMF PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

A non-invasive therapy using time-varying magnetic fields to influence cellular ATP production and inflammation. Used at our clinic in combination with radial shockwave for chronic musculoskeletal pain. → Service detail

Perimenopause

The hormonal transition before menopause, typically beginning in the early-to-mid 40s. Symptoms — vaginal dryness, sleep disruption, mood change, reduced libido — can precede irregular periods by years. → Read more

Premature ejaculation PE

Persistent ejaculation occurring within approximately one minute of vaginal penetration (lifelong PE per the ISSM 2008 definition), associated with distress and lack of control. Approximately 20-30% of men report PE symptoms; 1-3% meet the strict clinical definition. → Treatment evidence

R

Radial shockwave rESWT

An acoustic-wave therapy that disperses energy through tissue from a contact applicator — best suited for relatively shallow musculoskeletal targets (calcific tendinitis, lateral epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis). Different from focused shockwave used for ED. → Service detail

Reju-V

The vaginal HIFU protocol used at our clinic — see HIFU.

S

SSRI SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITOR

A class of medications (paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine, dapoxetine) that increase serotonin signaling. Several SSRIs are used off-label or on-label for premature ejaculation due to their ejaculation-delaying effect; dapoxetine is the only SSRI specifically licensed for on-demand PE use.

Syringoma

Benign sweat-duct tumors presenting as multiple small skin-coloured papules, classically around the eyes. Surface treatments rarely fully clear them; radiofrequency or CO₂ laser delivered to the dermal layer is the durable approach. → Removal

T

Testosterone

The principal male sex hormone; levels decline gradually from approximately age 30. Symptomatic low testosterone (low libido, fatigue, mood change) in confirmed laboratory hypogonadism is treatable; routine testosterone replacement in asymptomatic men is not recommended.

V

Vasculogenic ED

Erectile dysfunction caused by impaired blood inflow or outflow in the penile arteries — the most common cause of ED in men over 40 and the form most responsive to Li-ESWT. → Shockwave vs PDE5

VEGF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR

A signaling protein that promotes the formation of new blood vessels. Released in response to Li-ESWT and is one of the proposed mechanisms by which shockwave therapy improves erectile function over a course of treatments.

Missing a term? If you've encountered a term in one of our blogs or at consultation that isn't defined here, send us a quick note at care@hummingbirdshomme.com and we'll add it to the next revision.