Abortion- The termination of a pregnancy before a fetus is viable. It can be either a naturally occurring event, or a medically induced procedure.
Abstinence- Not engaging in any sexual activity with another person.
Anal Intercourse- A sexual act involving the insertion of a penis in, or external stimulation of, another person’s anus.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) – is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina.
Bisexual – A person who is attracted to both men and women.
Blow Job – Oral sex on a male. Also called “giving head”
Celibate- An individual who abstains from sexual intercourse, especially for religious reasons.
Chlamydia- is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted bacterial infection (STI) in the United States. Its is spread by sexual contact when a non-infected person has sex with someone who is infected.
Circumcision- The surgical act of removing the foreskin from a penis.
Clitoris - A small highly sensitive organ located above the opening of the vagina whose only function is to provide sexual pleasure. Stimulation of the clitoris can lead to an orgasm. The Clitoris is often called a “clit” for slang.
Coming Out- The voluntary public announcement of one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Conception- The fertilization of an ovum by a sperm resulting in the pregnancy of a female.
Condom- Condoms, which are also called rubbers or sheaths, are made of either latex or lambskin. Condoms prevent pregnancy by acting as a mechanical barrier, preventing the semen from entering the vagina. Condoms come in different shapes, colors, textures, and sizes. Condoms help protect against various STIs as well as HIV.
Contraception- The prevention of pregnancy through the use of various devices, drugs, techniques or agents.
Copulation- To engage in sexual intercourse.
Cunnilingus- A form of oral sex involving the stimulation of a woman’s clitoris.
Date Rape – is when you are raped by a friend, someone you’re dating or a romantic partner. It is also called acquaintance rape. So, if you tell your friend or partner you don’t want to have sex and they force you, that’s date rape, even if you’ve had sex with that person before.
Dental Dam- is a six-inch-square piece of thin latex, much like the latex in condoms, that is used to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during oral sex. The dental dam is placed over the vulva or anus to act as a barrier between the mouth and the vagina or anus.
Depo-Provera-a hormonal contraceptive that is administered through an injection every 12 weeks to prevent pregnancy.
Dildo – A penis-shaped sex toy often made of rubber or plastic that is used for sexual pleasure.
Doggie Style – A position for vaginal or anal intercourse when a man inserts his penis into his partner’s vagina or anus from behind.
Dry Sex – People often have different definitions of what dry sex means. Generally, it means going through the motions of sex (rubbing bodies, thrusting, and grinding) without inserting a penis into a vagina or any other body part.
Eating Out – Performing oral sex on a woman; licking or sucking the clitoris
Ejaculation- The act of expelling sperm from the penis.
Embryo- An organism in the early stages of development; In humans the embryonic stage lasts up to the eighth week after conception.
Emergency Contraception (EC) – is a method of birth control that a woman can use after the act of intercourse to prevent pregnancy. EC can be used after you have had unprotected sex or sex with a method failing (such as a condom breaking) to prevent you from becoming pregnant. EC is two pills which are taken within five days or 120 hours after unprotected sex
Erection- The growth in length, diameter and rigidity of a penis, as caused by sexual excitement. Sometimes used to refer to the swelling of the clitoris.
Family Planning Clinic – A place that provides reproductive health care including Pap smears, pelvic and breast exams, pregnancy testing, and options counseling, birth control, and testing for sexually transmitted infections including HIV. There are many other services that family planning clinics may provide these are just the most common.
Fellatio- Oral sex involving the stimulation of a penis.
Female Condom- the female condom acts as a physical barrier between sperm and the egg. It prevents pregnancy by keeping the man’s sperm from entering the woman’s vagina. it is more effective if used with a spermicide.
Fetus- The name of the developing young of an animal or human within a uterus. In humans, it is from the third month to the time of birth.
Fingering – Touching a woman’s genitals with a person’s fingers, usually involving touching or rubbing the clitoris and/or placing fingers inside her vagina.
Foreskin – A retractable area of skin that covers and protects the head of the penis. Some men have this skin removed soon after birth during a procedure called circumcision.
Fornication- Sexual intercourse.
Friends With Benefits- Are friends who may a have sexual relationship or near sexual relationship without expecting a more formal or traditional relationship as a goal.
G-Spot – Grafenburg Spot. A portion of skin inside the femal vagina that can sometimes produce intense sexual pleasure when stimulated.
Gay- Most commonly used to refer to males who are sexually attracted to someone of the same sex.
Gender- The definition of a person as male or female. It is sometimes based on the shape of their sexual organs. Other times, it is based on the presence of X and/or Y chromosomes in each cell of the body. Sometimes it is based on the individual’s own feelings.
Gender Transition- A process by which a person begins living their life as a gender (male or female) which is in agreement with their identity and not necessarily in agreement with their genital organs (or birth sex).
Genital Warts- Genital Warts, caused by some types of HPV (human papilloma virus), can appear on the skin anywhere in the genital area as white flesh-colored, smooth, small bumps, or larger, fleshy, cauliflower-like lumps. There are more than 100 different subtypes of HPV, and around 30 of them specifically affect the genitals. Other HPV subtypes cause warts to grow on different parts of the body, such as the hands.
GLBTQ – Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or questioning. It is a term used to describe a variety of individuals’ sexual preferences.
Gonorrhea- Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the Neissseria Gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow in multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the urethra in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
Group Marriage- A committed relationship involving more than two persons. It often involves a commitment ritual. Synonym: Polymarriage
Gynecologist – A medical doctor specializing in women’s reproductive health care. It is recomended that young women make an appointment to see a gynecologist if she needs hormonal birth control, such as the Pill, or three years after her first intercourse, or when she turns 21.
Hand Job – Is slang for the manual stimulation of another person’s genitals, touching another person’s penis or vulva. When people stimulate each other’s genitals some people call it mutual masturbation.
Hepatitis B- The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause several conditions, including inflammation of the liver, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), and liver failure. Once hepatitis is diagnosed, there is a risk of progressing to liver cancer.
Hermaphrodite- A person who possesses both male and female primary sexual characteristics.
Herpes- is a contagious viral infection that is caused by two types of the herpes virus: herpes simplex I and herpes simplex II. Both virus types can cause sores on the mouth, lips, thighs, genitals, and buttocks. Unfortunately, there is no cure for herpes. But your clinician can prescribe antiviral medications that can shorten and prevent outbreaks.
Heterosexism- Rejecting homosexuality as a normal, valid sexual orientation.
Homophobia- The irrational fear, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuals.
Homosexual- Sexual orientation in which a person is sexually attracted only to persons of the same sex.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)- is a common viral infection. More than 100 different types of HPV exist, and about 30 are spread through sexual contact (oral, vaginal, 0r anal). Some types of HPV can cause genital warts (also known as condyloma), and some types of HPV can cause changes on the cells of a woman’s cervix. In most people HPV will go away on its own over time. If you have warts, a clinician may apply medication to remove them or prescribe treatment for you to apply at home. Currently, there is a vaccine available called Gardasil which can help prevent infection from the four most common types of HPV. It does not treat current infection with HPV. At this time, the vaccine is reccomended for girls and young women ages 9-26. It is a series of three injections. For more information on the vaccine, click here.
Jacking Off – Male masturbation, touching or stroking the penis for sexual pleasure. Also called jerking off.
Incest- Sexual behavior between two persons who are closely related genetically.
IUD- or intrauterine device, is a small, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus by a clinician to prevent pregnancy. An IUD is a method of birth control.
Lesbian- A female who is sexually attracted only to other women.
Mandatory Waiting Period – A waiting period that is imposed on any female before she can have an abortion performed. Not all states have waiting periods. For the most up to date information on abortion laws in your state call the National Abortion Federation hotline at 1-800-772-9100.
Masturbation- Usually refers to any manual self-stimulation of a person’s sexual organs. Mutual masturbation involves two or more persons stimulating each other.
Menopause – A stage in a woman’s life when she stops menstruating. For most women this happens between the ages of 45 and 55.
Metrosexual- A term that generally applied to heterosexual men with a strong concern for their appearance, or whose lifestyles display attributes stereotypically seen among gay men.
Miscarriage- The loss of a fetus from the uterus.
Missionary Position – A sexual position in which a man places his penis inside a woman’s vagina while lying on top of her.
Monogamy- An exclusive sexual relationship between two persons.
Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU)- is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), usually caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
Nuva Ring- a slender and flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. After the ring is inserted, it releases a low dose of hormones into your body for three continuous weeks. The Nuva Ring is a method of birth control which needs to be replaced every three weeks.
Oral Sex- The use of the mouth and/or tongue to stimulate another person’s genitals.
Orgasm- A combination of intense feelings of pleasure with contractions of the muscles in the area of the genitals. Most men have only a single orgasm, accompanied by an ejaculation.
Orgy- Sexual activity involving a group of more than two persons.
Pedophile- A person who sexually abuses a prepubescent child. This is illegal and should be reported if you suspect anyone is sexually abusing a child.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - a serious complication caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as other bacteria. PID refers to infections of the pelvic cavity, which includes the area in and around the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID is usually treated with antibiotics and rest.
Queer- A term used by some individuals in the gay, lesbian or transgender communities in a proud and positive context. the term “queer” can mean that one is not common or conventional. Queer can also be used in a rude and offensive tone by some people who are heterosexual.
Rape- A criminal act involving sexual activity without the consent of the other person. This may happen through force, or because the other person is not fully capable of granting comsent.
Rimming - Contact (licking or sucking) between one partner’s mouth and another partner’s anus.
RU-486- A commonly used abortifacient medication.
Safe Sex- Sexual activity where precautions have been taken, as by use of a condom or other protection, to prevent or minimize the spreading or contraction of a sexually transmitted infection.
Scrotum - The loose bag of skin behind the penis that holds the testes and regulates their temperature by lowering and raising them.
Sex- Two meanings: (1)The definition of a person as male or female, based on the physical appearance and/or primary sexual characteristics. In almost all people, their sex and their gender are the same. (2) To engage in a sexual act
Sliding Fee Scale - A fee based on how much you earn. So, if you earn very little, you pay very little, and if you earn a lot, you may have to pay the full amount for services.
Sperm- Male reproductive cells.
Spermicide- A substance that kills sperm.It can be used during vaginal intercourse to prevent pregnancy; spermicide is often in the form of a cream.
STD- Sexually transmitted disease. Also refered to as STI.
STI- Sexually transmitted infection. Also refered to as STD.
Syphilis- is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is often called the “great imitator” because many of its symptoms resemble those of other diseases.
Transgendered- A person who experiences gender dysphoria. Their “gender identity is in conflict with their physical sex.”
Transsexual- A person having a strong desire to assume the physical characteristics and gender role of the opposite sex. A person who has undergone hormone treatment and surgery to attain the physical characteristics of the opposite sex.
Trichomoniasis- is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in sexually active young women. It is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis and is spread through vaginal intercourse or through vulva-to-vulva (the genital area outside the vagina) contact with an infected partner. Trichomoniasis can be easily treated with a medication called, metronidazole.
Virgin- A person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse.
Wet Dream – Nocturnal emission, the release of semen from a boy’s penis while he is sleeping, common during puberty.
Yeast Infections- Yeast infections are so common that most women get at least one during their lifetime. The infection is caused by a fungus called candida albicans. Yeast can be passed along during sex. Yeast infections can be easily treated with over the counter medications, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.
