Every term we use, explained in one sentence.

Cortisol

The body's main stress hormone. It follows a daily rhythm, and long-running stress can flatten or disrupt that pattern.

HRTAlso written as hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy: medication that tops up the oestrogen, and usually progesterone, your body makes less of around menopause.Prescribed as patches, gels, sprays, tablets or a coil. A prescriber will weigh benefits and risks against your own history rather than a general rule.Where this comes up →

Insulin resistance

When your cells respond less well to insulin, so blood sugar and energy swing more sharply through the day.

Menopause

The point twelve months after your last period. Everything after it is post-menopause.Where this comes up →

Oestrogen

The main female sex hormone. It influences far more than periods, including mood, sleep, memory, bone strength and skin.

PCOSAlso written as polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome: a hormonal condition affecting ovulation, often alongside irregular cycles, acne, hair changes or insulin resistance.

Perimenopause

The years of changing hormone levels before periods stop altogether, often starting in your early forties.Symptoms can arrive long before cycles become irregular, which is why perimenopause is so often missed or mistaken for stress.Where this comes up →

PMDDAlso written as premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a severe, cyclical mood condition in the two weeks before a period, distinct from ordinary PMS.Tracking symptoms across two full cycles is usually the first step to a confident diagnosis.

Progesterone

The hormone that rises after ovulation. It affects sleep and mood, and is prescribed alongside oestrogen when you still have a womb.

Thyroid

A gland in your neck that sets metabolic pace. An under-active or over-active thyroid can mimic anxiety, low mood or exhaustion.

ADHDAlso written as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

A difference in how attention, impulse and activity are regulated. In women it often shows as internal restlessness rather than visible hyperactivity.Where this comes up →

Burnout

Exhaustion, cynicism and reduced capacity that build up from sustained demand without adequate recovery.

Executive function

The mental skills that get things started and finished: planning, prioritising, switching tasks and holding information in mind.

Masking

Consciously or unconsciously hiding traits to fit in. It is effective in the short term and exhausting over years.

NeurodivergentAlso written as neurodivergence, neurodiversity

A term for brains that process the world differently from the typical pattern, including ADHD, autism and dyslexia.Where this comes up →

RSDAlso written as rejection sensitive dysphoria

Rejection sensitive dysphoria: an intense, physical wave of pain in response to perceived criticism or rejection, common in ADHD.

Assessment

A formal clinical evaluation by a qualified clinician, usually over one or more long appointments, that can lead to a diagnosis.

Baseline

Where you are starting from, measured before any changes, so progress can be compared against something real.

Differential diagnosis

The process of ruling other explanations in or out before settling on one, for example checking thyroid or iron before treating fatigue as low mood.

ScreeningAlso written as screenings

A short questionnaire that indicates whether a fuller conversation is worthwhile. It is never a diagnosis.Where this comes up →

CBTAlso written as cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy: a structured, practical talking therapy that works on the loop between thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

EMDR

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing: a trauma therapy that uses guided eye movements while revisiting a difficult memory.

Titration

Adjusting a medication dose in small steps until you reach the level that helps most with the fewest side effects.

BACP

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a membership body for talking-therapy practitioners.

Clinical psychologistAlso written as psychologist

A doctoral-level specialist in assessment and psychological therapy. Psychologists do not prescribe medication.

Functional medicine

An approach that looks for the underlying drivers of a symptom across sleep, nutrition, hormones and stress rather than treating the symptom alone.

GMC

The General Medical Council, the body that registers and regulates doctors in the UK.

HCPC

The Health and Care Professions Council, which regulates practitioners such as psychologists, physiotherapists and dietitians.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor specialising in mental health who can diagnose and prescribe medication.

Consultation

A paid appointment with a clinician, in person or by secure video, to discuss your situation and agree next steps.

NICE

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which publishes the treatment guidance most UK clinicians work to.

PathwayAlso written as pathways

A planned sequence of steps and clinicians for a specific goal, so you know what happens next rather than booking appointment by appointment.Where this comes up →

If a term is missing, tell us and we will add it.