Glossary of Sexual Health Related Terms

AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; an infectious disease which destroys the immune system's ability to fight infections; caused by a virus (HIV) which is transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, breast milk, vaginal and cervical secretions. HIV may also be transmitted from an infected woman to her baby during pregnancy or in the birth process.

Anal intercourse
sexual behavior in which one person's penis is inserted into another's anus

Bisexual
a person who feels sexually attracted to or has had sexual contact with both males an females

Candidiasis
a vaginal infection that is caused by the excessive growth of a yeastlike fungus that occurs normally in the body

Chlamydia
an often asymptomatic, but treatable, sexually transmitted disease; can cause permanent damage to reproductive organs

CIN
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia; a pre-cancerous condition initiated by the human papillomavirus (HPV)

Coitus interruptus
a birth control method in which the male removes his penis form a woman's vagina before ejaculation; also called withdrawal

Condyloma
genital warts, caused by a virus called the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Contraception
techniques, devices or drugs used to prevent pregnancy; also called birth control

Cowper's glands
two small structures, attached to the urethra in the male, that secrete a few drops of clear, sticky fluid during sexual arousal

Cunnilingus
the oral stimulation of the female genitals

Cyrotherapy
a procedure in which liquid nitrogen is used to destroy genital warts by freezing the area

Cystitis
an inflammation of the urinary bladder causing painful and frequent urination

Diaphragm
a dome-shaped rubber contraceptive device that is inserted into the vagina to block the cervical opening

Dysmenorrhea
pain experienced before or during menstruation; typically backaches, abdominal cramps, and aches in the thighs

Dysplasia
abnormal cell growth

Ectopic pregnancy
a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants itself in a site other than the uterus, most often a fallopian tube

Ejaculation
the expulsion of semen from the penis, usually during orgasm

ELISA
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; one of several blood tests used to diagnose the HIV infection

Emergency
post-coital contraceptive taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex

Contraception

Estrogen
hormones produced primarily by the ovaries; responsible for sexual maturation, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and maintenance of the uterine lining fallopian tubes - the two narrow tubes that were as a pathway for the eggs to move form the ovaries to the uterus

Fellatio
the oral stimulation of the male genitals

Genitals
the sex organs of males and females, typically the penis, testes and scrotum in males and the vulva in females

Genital warts
lesions or growths which occur on or around the genitals, anus or throat; spread through sexual contact

Glans
the tip of the penis or clitoris, rich with nerve endings

Gonads
the testes or ovaries (reproductive glands)

Gonorrhea
a sexually transmitted disease usually spread through vaginal intercourse; difficult to detect because often asymptomatic

Herpes
a common viral infection which causes cod sore-like blisters or rashes around the mouth or genitals; spread by skin-to-skin contact with the infected area

Heterosexuality
a sexual orientation in which a person is sexually, emotionally, and socially attracted towards members of the opposite sex

HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A virus which causes AIDS or other life threatening opportunistic infections

Homophobia
an irrational fear of or hostility towards homosexuals

Homosexuality
a sexual orientation in which a person is sexually, emotionally, and socially attracted toward members of the same sex

Hormones
chemical substances, secreted by the endocrine glands in the bloodstream, that have an effect on physiological functioning and psychological behavior

HPV
Human Papillomavirus; the family of over 100 viruses, some of which cause genital warts

IFA
Immunofluorescent Assay; one of the several blood tests used to diagnose HIV

Impotence
the inability to have or maintain a firm erection despite stimulation; also called erectile dysfunction

Infertility
the inability of a man, woman, or couple to conceive child, usually after one year of trying

Intrauterine device
a small plastic device inserted into the uterus for birth control

(IUD)

Latex condoms
an impermeable rubber sheath which fits over the erect penis and functions as a contraceptive device; helps protect against some sexually transmitted disease, including HIV/AIDS

Nonoxynol-9
a spermicide, which is effective in preventing pregnancy and some STDs when used with a condom

Oral contraceptive
birth control pills

Ovulation
the process by which a mature egg is released from the ovary

Ovum
a mature egg cell

Pap smear
a procedure in which a small sampling of vaginal cells are taken from the cervix to test for cervical cancer

Pelvic inflammatory
an inflammation of the fallopian tubes, the lining of the uterus,

disease (PID)
and/or the lower abdominal cavity; result of various bacterial infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea

Premature ejaculation
a common male sexual dysfunction in which ejaculation uncontrollably occurs before or shortly after intercourse begins

Premenstrual
a combination of physical and psychological symptoms that some

syndrome (PMS)
women experience prior to menstruation

Prodrome
first stage of herpes infection, often characterized by tingling

Progesterone
a hormone that maintains the uterine lining during pregnancy

Recurrences
herpes outbreaks which occur again at irregular intervals

Rimming
the oral stimulation of the anus; also referred to as analingus

Semen
a mildly white fluid, containing sperms, that is ejaculated from the penis during orgasm

Seminal vesicles
two sac-like organs that contribute secretions to seminal fluid

Sexually transmitted
an infection caused by a bacteria, virus, or protozoa; transmitted

disease (STD)
primarily through genital contact; also sometimes referred to as a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Skin condoms
a sheath made from animal membranes which fits over the erect penis and functions as a contraceptive device; it does not protect against STDs

Sperm
the male reproductive cell which contains half of the chromosomes necessary for fertilizing an egg

Spermatogenesis
sperm production

Spermicides
contraceptive chemicals that kill sperm

Syphilis
STD caused by a microorganism which enters the bloodstream

Testes
the pair of male reproductive glands, located in the scrotum, which produce sperm and sex hormones

Testosterone
a hormone secreted by the testes in the male and adrenal cortex in both sexes

Toxic shock
an illness occurring when highly absorbent tampons provide an

syndrome
environment of growth of bacteria in the vagina

Trichomoniasis
a common vaginal infection, characterized by an odorous, yellowish discharge and vaginal itching; caused by a parasite (trichomonas); also sometimes shortened to 'trich'

Vaginal film
a spermicide inserted next to the cervix

Vas deferens
ducts that carry sperm form the testes to the base of the urethra

Vasocongestion
in response to sexual arousal, the accumulation of blood in the vessels and tissues of various body parts, especially the genitals

Western Blot
one of several blood tests used to diagnose HIV