Glossary

The following are terms relating to reproductive health care, affordability for the pill OTC and mis- and disinformation about contraception.

Also see ACOG’s dictionary here.

Abortifacient ⚠️ (medical term; often mis-used)

Any substance used to terminate a pregnancy. 

“Abortifacient contraception” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

A disinformation term coined by anti-abortion leaders to falsely claim that some contraceptives end an existing pregnancy. This term has no medical meaning and should not be used.

Abortion 

Abortion means ending a pregnancy. There are two main options: an abortion procedure (also called in-clinic abortion) and the abortion pill (also called medication abortion). Both are safe and effective.

Conception ⚠️ (not neutral)

Medically, conception occurs at implantation, which is the start of pregnancy. However, the term “conception” is understood differently among various groups — some organizations, such as the Catholic Church, use the term to indicate fertilization. Even among trusted medical sites, conception can be defined differently. 

Groups that oppose abortion and contraception have embraced this term as a synonym for “fertilization,” and its use can be a dog whistle for an anti-contraception agenda.

Avoid this term due to public confusion about its meaning and its partisan signaling; if used, it should be clearly defined and sourced in the copy to reduce confusion. 

Contraception ✅ (medically accurate term; neutral term)

Birth control and contraception are synonymous, though contraception can often be used for a purpose other than preventing pregnancy, such as treating menstrual pain, acne or other conditions. These terms refer to devices, medicines or procedures used to prevent pregnancies, with the beginning of pregnancy defined as implantation. Pregnancy cannot be detected until after implantation, when the body begins to produce pregnancy hormones. While contraception prevents pregnancy, it cannot end a pregnancy.

Embryo ✅ (medically accurate term; neutral term)

The stage of development that starts at fertilization (joining of an egg and sperm).

Emergency contraception pills ⚠️ (medical term often misused)

There are two different types of emergency contraceptive pills (levonorgestrel, commonly referred to as Plan B, and Ulipristal acetate). They are both designed to prevent ovulation after unprotected sex. Their primary mechanism is to prevent or delay an egg leaving the ovary, thus preventing fertilization. In spite of the FDA’s updated labeling that clarifies it does not prevent implantation, some inaccurately claim that emergency contraception may also prevent fertilization or implantation. Note: Certain intrauterine devices (IUDs) can also be used for emergency contraception. Emergency contraception (pills and IUDs) cannot terminate a pregnancy that has already begun.

Fertilization ⚠️ (medical term often misused)

When a sperm and an egg fuse, this is called fertilization, which creates an embryo. While this is an essential step towards pregnancy, this is NOT when pregnancy medically begins. For example, an egg fertilized in a petri dish cannot become a pregnancy until that fertilized egg is successfully implanted in the uterus. In the absence of contraceptive use, only about 50% of fertilized embryos will successfully implant.

This term is at the heart of efforts to reduce access to certain contraceptive and IVF methods.  We recommend caution and added context when using this term. We recommend against using this term as a synonym to “conception,” which can lead to confusion. To ensure clarity, you can say: “Part of the process prior to the start of pregnancy” or “when egg and sperm unite.”

Fetus ✅ (medically accurate term; neutral term)

The stage of human development beyond eight completed weeks after fertilization. This is the stage after pregnancy has begun. Medically, the beginning of pregnancy is called implantation.

Hormonal Contraception

Hormonal contraception methods contain hormones that prevent pregnancy. These hormones prevent the body from releasing an egg each month. Methods include birth control pills, skin patches, vaginal rings, the implant and an intrauterine device (IUD). While the primary mechanism is to prevent fertilization, some hormonal methods have the potential to also prevent implantation.

Implantation ✅ (medically accurate term; neutral term)

The process wherein the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining and pregnancy medically begins. When a fertilized egg implants, the body begins to create pregnancy hormones to support the uterine lining. This is the hormone that is detected in a pregnancy test. Note: Prior to this phase, a pregnancy test will not work.

Life or “when life begins” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

This term should not be used to reference when pregnancy begins. Opponents of abortion and contraception frequently use the phrase “when life begins” in a way that can add confusion to medical and legal discussions about pregnancy. This term is often used in “personhood” legislation (see “Personhood” definition, below). Given the lack of public consensus on the meaning of the term “life” or “when life begins,” this terminology can spur confusion and misinformation in media reporting or polling.

“Personhood” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

Anti-abortion leaders use the concept of personhood to extend the legal rights of a person prior to birth. Many “personhood” proponents use the 14th Amendment as the constitutional basis for this standard.

There are two types of “personhood” proposals: “fetal personhood,” which applies to a fetus in the womb, and “embryo personhood,” which applies to the pre-pregnancy embryo stage. Personhood statutes threaten access to contraception, IVF and abortion. 

​​“Pre-implantation chemical abortion” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

A disinformation term coined by anti-contraception advocates with no medical meaning. Any device or substance that prevents implantation is contraception. In this misdefinition, “chemical abortion” is being used as a substitute for “contraception.” This term should not be used.

Pregnancy ✅ (medically accurate term; neutral term)

The gestational stage medically begins at implantation, during which a person carries a growing fetus in their uterus. Note: Many health care providers date a pregnancy from the time that a pregnant person has had their last menstrual period, for the purpose of calculating a due date. However, this is not the same as when pregnancy has medically begun.

The Pregnancy Process ✅ (medically accurate term; neutral term)

Refers to the entire process of becoming and being pregnant. This is distinct from the specific gestational stage of when a pregnancy medically begins, detailed above.

​​“Restorative Reproductive Medicine” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

This is a political term used in some legislative proposals that refers to non-IVF fertility approaches. It uses Catholic-affiliated fertility programs and is not a substitute for IVF.

“Unborn human being” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

Do not use. This is not a medical phrase. This phrase is used by groups and policymakers that oppose abortion and contraception to advance “fetal personhood”-style legislation that would ban most forms of contraception and IVF.