Glossary

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

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

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.

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

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

Someone who is sexually attracted to both males and females.

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

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria.

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

Contraceptive pill containing two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.

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.

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

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.

A long-acting injectible contraceptive.

When a man reaches climax and his penis produces sperm.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

A sexually transmitted viral infection of the genitals.

A viral infection of the genital area.

The outer sexual organs, especially the penis or vulva.

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection.

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

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.

Specialist study of women's reproductive health.

Attracted to people of the opposite sex.

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

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

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

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

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

A female who is sexually attracted to other females.

Touching or stimulating your own genitals for sexual pleasure.

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).

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

Contraceptive pill containing one hormone, progestogen.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Sex without using a condom.

Caused by a virus.

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