Glossary
What is cisgender? What does ovulation mean?
You may have some questions about words you see throughout AwkTalk. Here's a glossary to help explain the meaning of several commonly used terms.
A - C
abstinence
choosing not to be sexually active
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
a sexually transmitted infection that’s an advanced form of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which weakens the immune system; with treatment and medication, most cases of HIV today do not develop into AIDS, which can be life-threatening
ally
someone who supports LGBTQIA+ people who is not part of the LGBTQIA+ community
anal sex
a type of sex in which a penis goes into an anus (butt)
anus
the opening in someone’s butt where waste exits the body
areola
an area of darker skin that surrounds the nipple on a breast
asexual
someone who is not sexually attracted to others
balls
see “testicles”
birth control
medicine, barriers or devices which people use to help prevent pregnancy
bisexual
someone who is attracted to others who are the same gender as them, as well as others who are a different gender
boobs
see “breasts”
breasts
two female body parts, located on the chest, that produce milk after someone has a baby
chlamydia
a common sexually transmitted infection, caused by bacteria, that can cause infertility and pain if left untreated; it can be treated and cured with antibiotics
cis/cisgender
someone whose gender identity aligns with the sex that they were assigned at birth
clitoris
a female body part that may be more sensitive when it becomes swollen due to increased blood flow caused by sexual desire; it’s located slightly above, and in front of, the vagina
condom
a type of barrier birth control, usually made of latex, that is worn over the penis to help prevent pregnancy during vaginal, oral or anal sex; condoms are the only birth control method able to help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs); also see “internal condom”
consent
agreeing in the moment to participate in sexual activity with a partner; it must be given each time that partners hope to engage in sexual activity; consent can change at any time and may be taken back after it has been given; someone cannot give consent if they are under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs
crabs
see “pubic lice”
cum
see “ejaculation”
cyberbullying
using an online platform (including social media, texting and email) to say mean things about someone with the intent to cause stress, emotional harm or even physical harm to that person
D - F
dental dam
a thin square of latex that is placed over the clitoris, vagina or anus to help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during oral sex or oral-anal sex
dual protection
using two different types of birth control during sexual activity to help prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as a condom and the contraceptive implant
egg
a female reproductive cell that is released about once a month from the ovaries after someone begins getting periods; when an egg and sperm meet, it can result in pregnancy
ejaculation
when an erect penis, caused by sexual desire, releases semen, a fluid containing sperm
emergency contraception (emergency birth control)
a type of birth control that may be used to try to help prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex, for example, if a condom breaks during sex or if a pill was missed
erection
the state of a penis when it becomes hard; this happens often during sleep or in response to sexual desire; it can also happen for no known reason
external condom
see “condom”
female condom
a type of birth control, made of nitrile, that is placed inside the vagina to help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during vaginal sex
G - K
gender
the behaviors, roles and norms of women/girls and men/boys that have been created by society, and which society expects people to conform to, based on the sex that they were assigned at birth
gender identity
the way that someone views themselves as male, female, a combination of both or something else; this may be different than the sex that someone was assigned at birth
genital herpes
see “herpes”
genital warts
small bumps on the penis, vagina or anus, which may or may not itch, that are caused by the sexually transmitted infection HPV (human papillomavirus); while there’s no cure, medicine or other treatments can remove the warts
gonorrhea
a common sexually transmitted infection, caused by bacteria, that can cause pain, discharge or no symptoms at all; it can be treated and cured with antibiotics; if left untreated over time, it can cause permanent damage which may lead to infertility (being unable to get pregnant)
herpes
a sexually transmitted infection, caused by a virus, that can cause blisters or sores on the mouth, penis, vagina or anus; while there’s no cure, there’s treatment for blister outbreaks; herpes can be inactive for years and seem to disappear, then reappear
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
a sexually transmitted infection, caused by a virus, that can weaken the immune system and make it harder for your body to fight disease; although there’s no cure, it can be managed as a chronic or long lasting condition with medicine but can lead to AIDS if left untreated
hormones
chemicals produced by male and female bodies that cause changes during puberty; hormones will also cause changes at other times throughout your life
HPV (human papillomavirus)
a sexually transmitted infection, caused by a virus, that can cause genital warts or even cancer; there’s no cure, but a vaccine can prevent HPV in people who haven’t been exposed to the virus; medicine or other treatments are available to treat genital warts caused by HPV
implant
a type of birth control that looks like a small, thin rod, which a doctor places under the skin in the upper arm of someone with female parts; it releases hormones in the body to help prevent pregnancy; this form of birth control is completely reversible and can be removed by a medical professional at any time
infertility
being unable to get pregnant when choosing to have a baby
internal condom
a type of barrier birth control, which looks like a type of sack, that is placed inside the vagina or anus to help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during vaginal or anal sex
intersex
someone who is born with genitals or chromosomes that aren’t typical for a male or a female; they may have a combination of male and female genitals or chromosomes
intimacy
feelings of closeness that someone has while spending time with their partner
IUD (intrauterine device)
a type of birth control that looks like the letter “T” and is about an inch long, which a doctor places inside the uterus to help prevent pregnancy; some IUDs release hormones in the body to help prevent pregnancy, while others are hormone-free and made of copper; this form of birth control is completely reversible and can be removed by a medical professional at any time
L - O
LGBTQIA+
a term that refers to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual or who identify with other gender and sexual identities
menstruation
the process when blood and other tissue is released from the uterus through the vagina, which happens about once a month once someone reaches puberty; also called a “period”
morning-after pill
a type of birth control medicine that may be used to try to help prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex, for example, if a condom breaks during sex or if a pill was missed
nipple
part of the breast, located in the center of the area of darkened skin (areola), which may stick out from the body when someone is cold or sexually excited
non-binary
someone whose gender identity is something other than male or female
oral sex
a type of sex in which someone uses their mouth, lips and tongue to stimulate someone’s penis or testicles (balls), someone’s vagina or clitoris or someone’s anus
ovaries
two female body parts, located within the pelvis, that contain eggs; once someone starts getting periods, the ovaries release one egg about once per month
ovulation
the act of an ovary releasing an egg, which happens about once a month once someone begins getting periods
P - S
pansexual
someone who is attracted to others without considering their genders
patch
a type of birth control that looks like a square-ish adhesive bandage; it’s stuck to the skin of the upper arm, back or butt of someone with female parts and releases hormones in the body to help prevent pregnancy; the patch needs to be replaced weekly and is worn for 3 out of every 4 weeks; it is a completely reversible form of birth control and is only effective when someone wears it
penis
a male body part that can become erect (hard) due to increased blood flow during sleep, when experiencing sexual desire or for other reasons
period
see “menstruation”
pill
a type of birth control medicine that a doctor prescribes, which someone with female parts swallows daily; it contains hormones that help prevent pregnancy; it is a completely reversible form of birth control that is only effective when someone takes the pills daily
PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
symptoms that some people with female parts may experience during the days leading up to their period, including bloating, cramping or mood changes
precum
see “preejaculate”
preejaculate
a small amount of fluid that may be released by an erect penis before ejaculation; it may contain a small amount of semen or sperm
pregnancy
what may happen when an egg and sperm meet; if the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, a baby grows inside of the uterus for about nine months
puberty
changes that take place to the body when a child gradually matures into a young adult
pubic lice
a sexually transmitted infection, caused by an infestation of lice that live in pubic hair, which can cause itching; it can be treated and cured with a medicated lotion that’s available over the counter; sometimes called “crabs”
rape
when people have sex (oral, anal or vaginal) but one person has not given consent
safe sex
using birth control to help prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) while having anal, oral or vaginal sex; sometimes called “safer sex,” because the only way to prevent pregnancy or STIs is through abstinence or not being sexually active
scrotum
a male body part, located behind the penis, that holds the testicles in a pouch of skin
semen
a fluid containing sperm that’s released from the penis during ejaculation
sex
the male or female label that doctors assign someone at birth
OR
when people consent to explore each other’s bodies; this may include touching body parts, oral sex, anal sex or vaginal sex
sex assigned at birth
the male or female label that doctors assign a person at birth, which may or may not match the person’s gender identity
sexting
sending sexual photos, videos or messages to someone by text, email or social media
sexual abuse
any sexual behavior or sexual act that is forced upon another person without their consent
sexual identity
how someone refers to themselves based on the type of people they are attracted to
sexuality
see “sexual identity”
sexual orientation
see “sexual identity”
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
see “sexually transmitted infections (STIs)”
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
an infection that is passed from person to person during oral, anal or vaginal sex, or sometimes by kissing
shot
a type of birth control, which is usually injected by a doctor into the upper arm or butt of someone with female parts; it releases hormones in the body to help prevent pregnancy; this form of birth control must be given every 3 months and usually only helps prevent pregnancy for 3 months after each shot
sperm
a male reproductive cell that is produced in the testicles and released in semen during ejaculation; when sperm meets an egg, it can result in pregnancy
STDs
see “sexually transmitted infections (STIs)”
STIs
see “sexually transmitted infections (STIs)”
syphilis
a sexually transmitted infection, caused by bacteria, that can cause sores on the penis or vagina; it can be treated and cured with antibiotics; if it’s left untreated for years, it may cause serious health problems or even be life-threatening
T - Z
testicles
two small, round male body parts that produce sperm, which are located within the scrotum
trans/transgender
someone whose gender identity is different than the sex that they were assigned at birth
unprotected sex
having anal, oral or vaginal sex without using birth control to help prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
uterus
a female body part, shaped like a pear; menstrual fluids (period) are formed within the uterus, and babies grow in the uterus during pregnancy
vagina
a tube-like female body part that connects to the uterus (the place where babies grow during pregnancy); during vaginal sex, a penis enters the vagina
vaginal ring
a type of birth control that looks like a large ring or small bracelet, which is placed inside the vagina, where it releases hormones in the body to help prevent pregnancy; the ring is worn for 3 to 5 weeks and must be replaced 7 days after it’s removed to help prevent pregnancy; this form of birth control is completely reversible once you remove the ring
vaginal sex
a type of sex in which a penis goes into a vagina
virgin
someone who has not had sex yet; each person may decide for themselves whether the term applies to oral sex, anal sex, vaginal sex or something else