Sexual Health Glossary

Up-to-date and accurate terminology to help you learn more about sexual health.

A

Abortion
The medical process of ending a pregnancy.
Types: Medication abortion (pills) or procedural abortion.
Testing: Pregnancy test and clinical assessment.
Treatment: Medication or medical procedure provided by trained providers.

Abstinence Choosing not to have sex; a way to avoid pregnancy and STIs.

AIDS
Advanced stage of HIV infection where the immune system is severely weakened.
Symptoms: Frequent infections, weight loss, fatigue.
Testing: Blood tests for HIV and immune function.
Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Anal sex
Sex involving penetration of the anus.
STI risk: HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HPV can be transmitted.

Asexual
A sexual orientation where a person experiences little or no sexual attraction.

Asymptomatic
Having an infection without noticeable symptoms (common with many STIs).

B

Barrier methods
Birth control methods that block sperm from entering the uterus.
Examples: Condoms, diaphragms.
Effectiveness: Varies by method and use.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
An imbalance of vaginal bacteria.
Symptoms: Thin grey/white discharge, fishy smell (sometimes none).
Testing: Vaginal swab or clinical exam.
Treatment: Antibiotics.

BBV (blood-borne virus) Viruses spread in blood/body fluids (e.g., hepatitis B, C, HIV).

Birth control / Contraception
Methods used to prevent pregnancy.
Types: Hormonal, non-hormonal, permanent.
Effectiveness: Ranges from low to over 99%, depending on method.

C

Cervical cancer
Cancer of the cervix, most often caused by persistent high-risk HPV infection.
Symptoms: Often none early; later abnormal bleeding or pain.
Testing: Pap test and HPV testing.
Treatment: Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy (depends on stage).

Chlamydia
A common bacterial STI.
Symptoms: Often none; discharge, pelvic pain, pain with urination.
Testing: Urine test or swab.
Treatment: Antibiotics.

The Clap (slang)
Common slang for gonorrhea.

Condom (external / internal)
Barrier worn on the penis or inside the vagina.
STI protection: Yes.
Effectiveness: Higher with correct and consistent use.

Consent
Clear, voluntary agreement to sexual activity.
Must be ongoing and can be withdrawn at any time.

D

Dental dam
A thin sheet used during oral sex to reduce STI transmission.

Diaphragm
Reusable barrier placed over the cervix to prevent pregnancy.
Testing: Fitting by a clinician.
Treatment: Used with spermicide.

Douching
Cleaning the vagina with water or solutions.
Health effects: Can disrupt vaginal bacteria and increase infection risk.

Dysmenorrhea Painful periods (cramps).

E

Ectopic pregnancy
A pregnancy that implants outside the uterus.
Symptoms: Severe abdominal pain, bleeding.
Testing: Ultrasound and blood tests.
Treatment: Medication or surgery.

Emergency contraception (ECP)
Used after unprotected sex to reduce pregnancy risk.
Types: Pills or copper IUD.
Testing: Not required before use.
Treatment: Medication or IUD placement.

Ejaculation Release of semen from the penis during orgasm.

Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Difficulty getting or keeping an erection.
Causes: Physical, psychological, or medication-related.
Testing: Medical evaluation.
Treatment: Medication, devices, therapy.

F

Fertility
The ability to become pregnant.
Testing: Hormone tests, imaging, semen analysis.
Treatment: Depends on cause.

Female condom
Internal barrier worn in the vagina.
STI protection: Yes.

G

Gender identity
A person’s internal sense of their gender (man, woman, non-binary, etc.).

Genital herpes (HSV-1 / HSV-2)
Viral STI causing sores or blisters.
Symptoms: Painful sores, tingling, itching (or none).
Testing: Swab of sores or blood test.
Treatment: Antiviral medication (manages symptoms).

Genital warts (HPV)
Skin growths caused by certain HPV types.
Symptoms: Soft bumps, often painless.
Testing: Visual exam.
Treatment: Freezing, topical treatments, procedures.

Gonorrhea
Bacterial STI.
Symptoms: Discharge, pain with urination, sore throat (or none).
Testing: Urine test or swab.
Treatment: Antibiotics.

H

Hepatitis B
Viral infection affecting the liver.
Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice (often none).
Testing: Blood test.
Treatment: Antiviral medication for chronic cases. Vaccine available.

Hepatitis C
Blood-borne virus affecting the liver.
Symptoms: Often none for years.
Testing: Blood test.
Treatment: Antiviral medication that can cure it.

HIV
Virus that attacks the immune system.
Symptoms: Early flu-like illness; later infections.
Testing: Blood or rapid test.
Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART).

HPV (human papillomavirus)
Very common virus with many types.
Symptoms: Often none; some cause warts or cancer.
Testing: Pap/HPV tests (cervix).
Treatment: No cure for virus; conditions are treated. Vaccine available.

HPV vaccine Vaccine that prevents many cancers and genital warts caused by HPV.

I

IUD (intrauterine device)
Small device placed in the uterus.
Types: Hormonal or copper.
Testing: Pregnancy test before insertion.
Treatment: Long-acting contraception (3–10+ years).

Infertility
Difficulty getting pregnant after 12 months (or earlier in some cases).
Testing: Hormone tests, imaging, semen analysis.
Treatment: Medication, procedures, assisted reproduction.

J

Jock itch
Fungal infection affecting groin skin.
Symptoms: Itching, redness.
Testing: Visual exam.
Treatment: Antifungal medication.

K

Kegels
Exercises that strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
Used in sexual and bladder health.

L

Lubricant (lube)
Liquid or gel that reduces friction during sex.
Types: Water-based, silicone-based, oil-based.

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.
Testing: Imaging.
Treatment: Depends on findings.

Masturbation
Self-stimulation of the genitals for pleasure.

Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen)
Bacterial STI.
Symptoms: Discharge, pelvic pain, burning with urination.
Testing: Special urine or swab test.
Treatment: Targeted antibiotics.

N

Non-binary
A gender identity that is not exclusively male or female.

NPEP / PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) Short-term HIV medication taken after possible exposure to lower risk of infection.

O

Oral sex
Mouth-to-genital contact.
STI risk: Herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HPV.

Ovulation
Release of an egg from the ovary - the time when pregnancy is most likely.

P

Pap test (Pap smear)
Screening test for cervical cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer..
Testing: Cervical sample.
Treatment: Depends on results.

Partner notification Letting past sexual partners know they may need testing/treatment after an STI diagnosis.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Infection of reproductive organs.
Symptoms: Pelvic pain, fever, discharge.
Testing: Exam, imaging, lab tests.
Treatment: Antibiotics.

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)
Medication taken to reduce HIV acquisition risk.
Testing: HIV testing before and during use.

Prostate exam Medical check for prostate health; discussed with a clinician for appropriate screening.

Pubic lice (crabs) (slang)
Tiny insects that live in pubic hair.
Symptoms: Itching.
Testing: Visual exam.
Treatment: Medicated creams.

Q

Queer
Umbrella term for sexual orientations or gender identities outside heterosexual/cisgender norms.

R

Reproductive health
Health of the reproductive system across the lifespan.

RPR / VDRL Blood tests used to screen for syphilis.

S

Safer sex
Practices that reduce STI and pregnancy risk.

Scabies
Mite infestation spread by close contact.
Symptoms: Severe itching, rash.
Testing: Visual exam or skin scraping.
Treatment: Prescription creams.

Semen Fluid containing sperm that comes from the penis during ejaculation.

Sexually transmitted infection / disease (STI / STD)
Infection passed through sexual contact.
Symptoms: May include discharge, sores, pain — or none.
Testing: Blood tests, urine tests, swabs.
Treatment: Depends on infection (antibiotics, antivirals).

Syphilis
Bacterial STI with stages.
Symptoms: Painless sore, rash, neurological issues if untreated.
Testing: Blood test.
Treatment: Antibiotics (usually penicillin).

T

Testicular cancer
Cancer affecting the testicles.
Symptoms: Lump, swelling, heaviness.
Testing: Ultrasound, blood tests.
Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation.

Transgender (trans)
A person whose gender identity differs from sex assigned at birth.

Transphobia Prejudice or discrimination against transgender people.

Trichomoniasis (trich)
Parasitic STI.
Symptoms: Discharge, itching, irritation.
Testing: Swab or urine test.
Treatment: Antibiotics.

U

Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra.
Symptoms: Burning, discharge.
Testing: Urine or swab.
Treatment: Depends on cause.

UTI (urinary tract infection)
Infection of the bladder or urinary system.
Symptoms: Burning, frequent urination.
Testing: Urine test.
Treatment: Antibiotics.

V

Vaginitis
Inflammation of the vagina.
Causes: Yeast, BV, trichomoniasis.
Symptoms: Discharge, itching, irritation.
Testing: Swab or exam.
Treatment: Depends on cause.

Vaccine (HPV, Hep B) Vaccines prevent certain infections (HPV vaccine prevents many cancers; Hep B vaccine prevents hepatitis B).

Vasectomy
Permanent birth control for people with testicles.
Testing: Semen test after procedure.
Treatment: Surgical procedure

Vagina / Vulva Vagina = internal canal / Vulva = external female genital parts

VDRL / RPR Blood tests used to screen for syphilis.

X

X-linked conditions Genetic conditions linked to X chromosome.

W

Warts (genital warts) — See HPV / genital warts.

Withdrawal (pull-out / coitus interruptus)
Removing the penis before ejaculation.
Effectiveness: Lower than many methods.

Y

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

Yeast infection
Overgrowth of yeast in the vagina or penis.
Symptoms: Thick discharge, itching.
Testing: Swab or exam.
Treatment: Antifungal medication from the pharmacy.

Z

Zika virus
Virus that can be sexually transmitted and affect pregnancy outcomes.
Testing: Blood testing in specific cases.