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Glossary

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a b c d e f g h i l m o p r s t u v

a

Abortion

Sometimes known as termination. The medical process of ending a pregnancy.

Abstain/abstinence

Abstinence is choosing not to do something, e.g. to abstain from sex would be to decide not to have sex.

AIDS

The later effects of HIV, though with early diagnosis and effective treatment, extremely few people with HIV will go on to develop AIDS. AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Anal sex

When the penis is inserted into another person’s anus.

b

Bacteria

A type of very small organism, which often causes disease, that lives in air, earth, water, plants and animals.

Bisexual

Someone who is sexually attracted to both males and females.

Blow job

When someone puts a man’s penis into their mouth to give pleasure. A type of oral sex.

c

Chlamydia

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria.

Coil (IUD)

A device, usually T-shaped, that contains copper and is fitted inside the womb to prevent pregnancy. IUD stands for intrauterine device.

Combined pill

Contraceptive pill containing two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.

Condom

A thin latex or plastic sheath placed over the penis (male condom) or in the vagina (female condom) to prevent sperm reaching and fertilising the female egg. Used to prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Contraception

A range of methods for preventing pregnancy, including the use of hormones, surgery and devices.

d

Dental dam

A dental dam is a square piece of latex or polyurethane. This can be placed over the anus or female genitals during oral sex to act as a barrier to help prevent STIs passing from one person to another.

Depo-Provera

A long-acting injectible contraceptive.

e

Ejaculate/ejaculation

When a man reaches climax and his penis produces sperm.

Emergency contraception

Commonly known as the "morning after pill". Used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex (sex without a condom) or sex without another form of contraceptive.

Erectile dysfunction

Inability to achieve an erection (an erect penis). Also known as impotence.

Erection

When a man's penis is temporarily harder and bigger than usual, and points upwards.

f

Family planning

Term used for managing birth control through the use of contraception.

Foreplay

Any kind of sexual activity that leads up to, but doesn’t include, full intercourse.

g

Gay

Homosexual. Someone who is sexually attracted to people of their own sex.

Genital herpes

A sexually transmitted viral infection of the genitals.

Genital warts

A viral infection of the genital area.

Genitals

The outer sexual organs, especially the penis or vulva.

Gonorrhoea

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection.

GUM

Genitourinary medicine. The diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

GUM clinic

Genitourinary medicine clinic. Also known as sexual health clinic. A clinic which provides a range of sexual health services to treat and prevent sexually transmitted infections. Often combined with family planning clinics (as with Umbrella) to form full sexual health clinics.

Gynaecology

Specialist study of women's reproductive health.

h

Heterosexual

Attracted to people of the opposite sex.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus. A sexually transmitted virus that attacks the immune system and may lead to AIDS, especially if not treated.

Homophobia

Dislike or fear of, discrimination against, or hatred towards homosexuals.

Homosexual

A person who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex.

i

IUD

Intrauterine device. A device, usually T-shaped, that contains copper and is fitted inside the womb to prevent pregnancy.

IUS

Intrauterine system. A T-shaped device that contains the hormone progestogen and is fitted inside the womb to prevent pregnancy.

l

Lesbian

A female who is sexually attracted to other females.

m

Masturbation

Touching or stimulating your own genitals for sexual pleasure.

o

Oral sex

Stimulating a partner’s genitals with the mouth, lips or tongue. This includes fellatio (sucking or licking somebody's penis), cunnilingus (licking somebody's vagina, vulva or clitoris), or anilingus (licking somebody's anus).

p

PEPSE

Post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure to HIV. A treatment given to help reduce the chance of catching HIV after unprotected sex.

Progestogen-only pill

Contraceptive pill containing one hormone, progestogen.

r

Rod (Implanon)

Also known as contraceptive implant. A small, flexible plastic rod placed under the skin of the arm, which slowly releases the hormone progestogen over a period of around three years.

s

Screening

Range of testing methods for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Infections passed by oral, vaginal and/or anal sexual contact.

Symptoms

Any feeling of illness or physical or mental change which is caused by a particular infection or disease.

Syphilis

Bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI). Can be passed by sexual contact with an infected person.

t

Termination of pregnancy

Also known as abortion. The medical process of ending a pregnancy.

u

Unprotected sex

Sex without using a condom.

v

Viral

Caused by a virus.

Virus

An extremely small organism which multiplies within a living host (e.g. a human), and spreads among hosts, causing disease.