Sexual Health Glossary (A → Z)

A

Abstinence — Choosing not to have sex; a way to avoid pregnancy and STIs.
AIDS — Advanced stage of HIV infection when the immune system is very weak.
Asexual — A person who feels little or no sexual attraction to others.
Asymptomatic — Having an infection or condition but showing no noticeable symptoms.

B

Barrier method — Birth control that physically blocks sperm (e.g., condoms, diaphragm).
BBV (blood-borne virus) — Viruses spread in blood/body fluids (e.g., hepatitis B, C, HIV).
Birth control / contraception — Methods used to prevent pregnancy (pills, IUDs, condoms, etc.).

C

Chlamydia — A common bacterial STI; may cause discharge or pain but often no symptoms.
Consent — Clear, freely given agreement to sexual activity at that time.
Contraceptive implant — Small rod placed under the skin that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy.
Cervical cancer — Cancer of the cervix; often linked to high-risk HPV types; screening (Pap/HPV tests) helps prevent it.

D

Douching — Rinsing the vagina with water or other fluids — not recommended; can raise infection risk.
Douching (slang: “cleaning out”) — see above — avoid for health reasons.
Dysmenorrhea — Painful periods (cramps).

E

Ectopic pregnancy — Pregnancy that grows outside the uterus (medical emergency).
Emergency contraception — “Morning-after” pill or copper IUD used after unprotected sex to reduce risk of pregnancy.
Ejaculation — Release of semen from the penis during orgasm.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) — Difficulty getting or keeping an erection suitable for sex.

F

Fertility — Ability to become pregnant.
Female condom — A barrier device inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy and reduce STI risk.
Foam/spermicide — Chemical that kills or disables sperm used alone or with a barrier device.

G

Genital warts (HPV) — Skin growths caused by some types of human papillomavirus.
Gonorrhea — Bacterial STI that can cause discharge, pain, and sometimes no symptoms.

H

Hepatitis B/C — Viruses that affect the liver; B can be prevented by vaccine; C is often curable with treatment.
HIV — Virus that attacks the immune system; treatable with lifelong medication (ART).
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) — A common virus with many types; some cause warts, some raise cancer risk.
HPV vaccine — Vaccine that prevents many cancers and genital warts caused by HPV.

I

IUD (Intrauterine device / IUC) — Small device placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy; hormonal or copper types.
Impetigo / skin infections — (included because sometimes relevant to sexual-skin health) — bacterial skin infections that can transmit with skin-to-skin contact.
Infertility — Difficulty getting pregnant after a year (or clinical definition varies).

J

Juvenile (puberty) — The stage when bodies develop into adult form (puberty) — includes physical and emotional changes.

K

Kegel exercises — Pelvic-floor muscle exercises that can help bladder control and sexual function.

L

Lube / lubricant — Gel or liquid used to reduce friction during sex; can reduce condom breakage and discomfort.
LPV / LGV (Lymphogranuloma venereum) — A type of STI caused by certain strains of chlamydia (medical term).

M

Mammogram — X-ray screening test for breast cancer; part of routine health screening for some age groups.
Masturbation — Self-stimulation of the genitals for sexual pleasure — a normal sexual behavior.
MOA (mechanism of action) — How a medicine or method works (used in clinical descriptions).
Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) — Bacterium that can cause urethritis or cervicitis; special testing and antibiotics are used.

N

Non-binary — A gender identity outside the male/female binary. (Included because gender and sexual health intersect.)
NPEP / PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) — Short-term HIV medication taken after possible exposure to lower risk of infection.

O

Oral sex — Using the mouth/ tongue on a partner’s genitals — can transmit STIs if protection is not used.
Ovulation — Release of an egg from the ovary — the time when pregnancy is most likely.

P

Pap test (Pap smear) — Test that checks the cervix for abnormal cells that could lead to cervical cancer.
Partner notification — Letting past sexual partners know they may need testing/treatment after an STI diagnosis.
Period (menstruation) — Monthly bleeding that occurs when pregnancy has not happened.
PID (Pelvic inflammatory disease) — Infection of the female reproductive organs often caused by untreated STIs; can cause infertility.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) — Daily medication that greatly reduces the chance of getting HIV when taken as prescribed.
Prostate exam — Medical check for prostate health; discussed with a clinician for appropriate screening.

Q

Queer — A broad term some people use for sexual orientation or gender identity outside heterosexual/cisgender norms.

R

Reproductive coercion — When a partner tries to control pregnancy or contraception decisions — a form of abuse.
RPR / VDRL — Blood tests used to screen for syphilis.

S

Safer sex — Practices that lower the chance of STIs and pregnancy (condoms, testing, vaccination).
Scabies — Tiny mites that burrow in skin causing intense itch; treated with prescription creams.
Semen — Fluid containing sperm that comes from the penis during ejaculation.
Slang: “Crabs” — Pubic lice (pediculosis pubis).
Slang: “The Herpes” / “Cold sore down there” — Genital herpes (HSV); medically specify HSV-1 or HSV-2 when needed.
Slang: “Getting the tests” — Refers to STI testing — encourage specific naming (HIV test, chlamydia/gonorrhea swab, etc.).
Spermicides — Chemicals that inactivate sperm; less effective alone than many other methods.
STI / STD — Sexually transmitted infection/disease — infections passed through sexual contact. (STI is now commonly used.)
Syphilis — Bacterial STI that can cause sores, rashes, and, if untreated, serious health problems.

T

Transgender (trans) — A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Trichomoniasis (Trich) — A common parasitic STI that can cause discharge and itch.
Transphobia — Prejudice or discrimination against transgender people.

U

Urethritis — Inflammation of the urethra, often causing burning when peeing; can be caused by STIs.
UTI (Urinary tract infection) — Infection of the bladder or urinary tract; symptoms can mimic STIs but are not always sexually transmitted.

V

Vaginitis — Inflammation or infection of the vagina; causes include yeast, BV (bacterial vaginosis), or trichomonas.
Vaccine (HPV, Hep B) — Vaccines prevent certain infections (HPV vaccine prevents many cancers; Hep B vaccine prevents hepatitis B).
Vulva / Vagina — Vulva = external female genital parts; vagina = internal canal.

W

Withdrawal (coitus interruptus) — Pulling out the penis before ejaculation to reduce pregnancy risk; less reliable than most methods.
Warts (genital warts) — See HPV / genital warts.

X

X-linked conditions — Genetic conditions linked to X chromosome — included here as a pointer for genetic/reproductive counseling when relevant.

Y

Y-chromosome — Biological marker often used in sex assignment; not a definition of gender or identity.

Z

Zika (virus) — Virus spread by mosquitoes and sex that can cause birth defects if infection happens during pregnancy (relevant to sexual-health counseling in travel contexts).