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Glossary

Back to Your Body

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.

HERE’S WHAT WE COVER ON THIS PAGE:

    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

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