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Labia Majora - The large lips of the vulva that extend from the mons pubis down either side of the vulva
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Labia Minora - The smaller, fleshy inner lips of the vulva that are closer to the vaginal opening than the labia majora
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Lactation - Breastfeeding or the secretion of breast milk.
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Lactobacilli - Bacteria present in healthy vaginas of women. They help relieve vaginitis by limiting the growth of Candida, yeast.
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Lactose - a sugar found in milk and milk products like cheese, cream, and butter.
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Lactose Intolerance - People with lactose intolerance have trouble digesting lactose, the natural sugar found in dairy foods. This is because their bodies do not have enough of the enzyme lactase.
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LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method) - Breast-feeding as birth control for up to six months after childbirth.
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Lamaze - a philosophy of giving birth developed by Dr. Ferdinand Lamaze. The goal of Lamaze classes is to increase women's confidence in their ability to give birth. Lamaze classes teach women simple coping strategies for labor, including focused breathing. But Lamaze also teaches that breathing techniques are just one of the many things that help women in labor. Movement, positioning, labor support, massage, relaxation, hydrotherapy and the use of heat and cold are some others.
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Laxative - medicines that will make you have a bowel movement.
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Lead - a metal that can make infants and young children sick.
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Lean - Meat and poultry that has little or no fat, making it healthier to eat.
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Lesbian - A homosexual woman.
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Leukocytes - White blood cells.
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Leucorrhea - A white, sticky vaginal discharge that is normal during adolescence.
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Levonorgestrel - A synthetic progestin similar to the hormone progesterone, which is produced by the body to regulate the menstrual cycle.
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Libido – sexual drive.
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Ligaments - Straps that fasten bones to each other.
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Light Flow and Medium Flow - When your period tapers off. (For medium flow, use a tampon with Regular absorbency. Really light flow may require only a pantyliner.)
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Limerance - A powerful and constantly distracting and obsessive infatuation.
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Lobes - Groups of alveoli sacs in women's breasts.
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Long-Term Reorganization Phase - The second phase of rape trauma syndrome, in which the victim tries to regain control of life.
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Love - A strong caring for someone else. It comes in many forms. There can be love for romantic partners and also for close friends, for parents and children, for God, and for humankind.
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Lovemap - A blueprint of one's adult sexual appreciations and preferences that develops while one is growing up.
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Lupus - One of the diseases that causes the immune system, which normally protects the body, to actually attack it. Lupus can cause problems with the skin, joints and organs on the inside of the body.
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Lust - The desire for sexual pleasure.
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Lyme disease - a bacterial illness caused by a bacterium called a "spirochete" that is transmitted to humans from the bite of a deer tick. It can cause abnormalities in the skin, joints, heart and nervous system.
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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.
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Lymphocytes - White blood cells that produce antibodies.
