Psych N Sex

A drug, herb, or device that can cause an abortion (end a pregnancy).

Ending a pregnancy.      

Describes the process of medication abortion, which includes the use of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, to safely end a pregnancy.

Not having sex with anyone.

A form of “sex education” that teaches abstinence (not having sex) as the only morally correct option for unmarried people. They don’t include information about protection from STDs or pregnancy. See "abstinence-only-until-marriage programs."

Conformity that involves both acting and believing in accord with social pressure.

Short for asexual, meaning the sexual orientation, or spectrum of identities, associated with experiencing no sexual attraction towards anyone.

Sexual assault by someone the victim knows.

The most advanced stage of HIV.

The tendency to adapt to a given level of stimulation and thus to notice and react to changes from that level.

The period of physical and emotional change between the beginning of puberty and early adulthood.

The time in early puberty when secondary sex characteristics, like pubic hair, begin to develop.

The placenta and other tissue that empty out of the uterus following childbirth.

The age at which state law considers a person old enough to decide to have sex with someone.

Not identifying with any gender.

Physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt someone. In laboratory experiments, this might mean delivering electric shocks or saying something likely to hurt another's feelings. By this social psychological definition, one can be socially assertive without being aggressive.

The most advanced stage of HIV.

A biological intersex condition that makes a fetus with XY chromosomes unable to develop male sex organs, causing female genitals at birth and throughout life. Usually raised as girls, individuals with AIS do not have reproductive organs, do not menstruate, are infertile, and can have vaginas(...)

Influential American sex researcher of the 20th century. His research was unique and groundbreaking. In extensive interviews, he and his team of researchers took thousands of case histories to learn about people’s sexual identities and experiences. Although his sample did not precisely reflect(...)

Someone who’s on the same side as you. Often used to describe someone who takes a stand against oppression or discrimination who is not a member of the oppressed group — for example, a white person who speaks out against racism or a straight person who speaks out against homophobia.

See "donor insemination.”

A motive to increase another's welfare without conscious regard for one's self-interests.

Not having a period (menstruating).

A prenatal test that examines the fluid that surrounds and protects the fetus. If done, it’s usually performed between 15–18 weeks of pregnancy to detect certain birth defects.

The liquid that surrounds the fetus within the amniotic sac.

Sex in which the penis or a sex toy goes in the anus.

A biological intersex condition that causes a fetus with XY chromosomes to have a vulva at birth rather than a penis and scrotum Often raised as girls, individuals with AIS don’t have reproductive organs, don’t menstruate, are infertile, and can have vaginas that are too shallow for(...)

Hormones that stimulate male genital development in the womb and secondary male sex characteristics during puberty. Large amounts are produced in testicles and small amounts are produced in ovaries. The most common androgen is testosterone.

Appearing to have both, neither, or in between traditionally male and female physical characteristics.

A gradual decline in sex drive as people with penises age, due to decreasing levels of testosterone. Similar to menopause.

Oral sex with a partner’s anus. Also known by the slang term “rimming.”

An eating disorder in which people don’t eat or eat dangerously little.

Inability to have an orgasm or difficulty in having an orgasm.

Opposed to the belief that people have the right to make their own choices about whether and when to have a child.

Medicines that are used to cure infections caused by bacteria.

A protein developed by the immune system in response to a toxin in the body.

A medicine that fights viruses. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a treatment for HIV patients that can help them stay healthy, and lower their chances of giving HIV to someone else.

The opening from the rectum (butt) from which solid waste (poop) leaves the body.

A substance that increases sexual desire.

The dark area surrounding the nipple.

A combination of medicines that works to keep people living with HIV healthy by lowering the amount of the virus in their bodies.

See the preferred term, “donor insemination.”

Sexual orientation or identity associated with experiencing no sexual attraction for anyone.

A procedure that ends pregnancy by emptying the uterus with the gentle suction of a manual syringe or with machine-operated suction. Also called “in-clinic abortion.”

Having no signs or symptoms. Many STDs are asymptomatic in their early stages.

Vaginal irritation without any discharge caused by lowered levels of estrogen. Sometimes caused by menopause and more rarely, by breastfeeding.

Having qualities that appeal to an audience. An appealing communicator (often someone similar to the audience) is most persuasive on matters of subjective preference.

The theory of how people explain others' behavior; for example, by attributing it either to internal dispositions (enduring traits, motives, and attitudes) or to external situations.

Being turned on by yourself or something you think of in your own mind.

Strangling or choking yourself for sexual arousal. It can be very dangerous. Hundreds of young people die of autoerotic asphyxiation every year.

An efficient but fallible rule-of-thumb that judges the likelihood of things in terms of their availability in memory. If instances of something come readily to mind, we presume it to be commonplace.

Any birth control method — like condoms or withdrawal — that’s used while waiting for hormonal birth control methods to become effective (or to become effective again after a mistake or problem). Some people also refer to emergency contraception as backup birth control.

Inflammation of the vulva/vagina (vaginitis) caused by a change in the balance of vaginal bacteria. It’s not an STD. Things like douching or having sex with a new partner can lead to BV.

An inflammation of the glans and foreskin of the penis that can be caused by infections (including STDs), harsh soaps, poor hygiene, etc. It’s most common in uncircumcised penises.

Birth control that blocks sperm from passing through the cervix (the barrier between the vagina and uterus). These include the condom, female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicide, and sponge.

Two glands that provide lubrication (wetness) to the vagina during sexual excitement (arousal, being turned on). Located in the inner labia on each side of the opening to the vagina.

A birth control method that involves tracking your body temperature over time to predict ovulation. Can be used to prevent pregnancy or to plan a pregnancy.

A term for a variety of sexual practices including bondage, discipline, domination/submission, and sadism/masochism.

A type of self-fulfilling prophecy whereby people's social expectations lead them to act in ways that cause others to confirm their expectations.

Persistence of one's initial conceptions, as when the basis for one's belief is discredited but an explanation of why the belief might be true survives.

The tendency to ignore the existence or legitimacy of bisexuality.

Having two genders. Identifying as both a man and a woman, for example.

The surgical removal of both breasts. Performed to treat/prevent breast cancer or for gender affirmation. See "chest surgery" or “top surgery.”

Fear, hatred, or mistrust of bisexuals.

The passage from the uterus through the cervix and vagina through which a baby is born.

A special health facility for people giving birth and their families.

Something that prevents pregnancy.

A physical abnormality or health issue present at birth. May be considered outdated or offensive. “Congenital disorder” is the preferred term.

Being sexually attracted to both men and women. Sometimes used to describe people who are sexually attracted to people of all genders, including non-binary genders.

The organ that collects and stores urine (pee). The bladder is emptied through the urethra.

The developing hollow ball of cells that grows from a fertilized egg, before it implants in the uterus.

Slang for an uncomfortable — but not dangerous — feeling in the penis/testicles that may occur when you don’t ejaculate after being very turned on.

Attitudes and feelings that a person has about their body and appearance.

Slang for an erect (hard) penis.

A general term for a variety of genital surgeries that transgender individuals may choose to get to align their physical body with their gender identity. See “gender-affirming surgery” or “gender-alignment surgery.”

Feeding a baby with human milk from the breast. Can also be used as a birth control method for the first 6 months after birth, if done correctly.

The two glands on the chest. Considered sex organs because they’re often sexually sensitive and may inspire sexual desire. Like mammary glands in other mammals, they produce milk during and after pregnancy.

The glands beneath the prostate gland that are attached to the urethra. They produce pre-ejaculate (pre-cum), preparing for ejaculation by temporarily stopping the ability to urinate (pee) and making it easier for semen to move. Also called “Cowper’s glands.”

Slang for dressing like or taking on roles that are traditionally “masculine,” especially in regard to lesbians or gender-nonconforming individuals. Some people may call themselves butch, while others find the term offensive.

A sex toy that goes in the anus. It’s designed to stay in place with a flared base.

Inflammation of the vulva/vagina (vaginitis) caused by a change in the balance of vaginal bacteria. It’s not an STD. Things like douching or having sex with a new partner can lead to BV.

The finding that a person is less likely to provide help when there are other bystanders.

Giving birth when a doctor surgically removes the baby from the uterus. Short for cesarian section.

A fertility awareness-based method for predicting fertility in which users chart their menstrual cycles on a calendar. Can be used to plan a pregnancy or as birth control if cycles are tracked over many months.

A disease in which abnormal cells grow out of control in a part of the body.

A type of yeast that causes vaginal yeast infections when it becomes overgrown. Yeast infections may also occur in the penis or scrotum, or the mouth/throat. When they happen in the mouth or throat, they’re called “thrush.”

Short for a cervical cap, a birth control method. A cervical cap is a cup made from soft silicone and shaped like a sailor's hat. It goes inside the vagina to cover the cervix. Used with spermicide, the cervical cap is a reusable barrier method of birth control that’s available by(...)

Removal of the testicles. See "chemical castration."

Not having sex.

When something is forbidden because it’s thought to be offensive or dangerous.

A cervical cap is a cup made from soft silicone and shaped like a sailor's hat. It goes inside the vagina and covers the cervix. Used with spermicide, the cervical cap is a reusable barrier method of birth control that’s available by prescription. The FemCap is the only cervical cap available(...)

The secretion that comes from the divider between the uterus and vagina. The amount of cervical mucus and what it looks like changes throughout the menstrual cycle, especially around the time of ovulation. It can naturally help sperm move, or help stop sperm from moving if you’re using(...)

A fertility awareness-based method for predicting fertility by tracking changes in the appearance and quantity of cervical mucus. Can be used for planning a pregnancy or as birth control if tracked over many months.

An irritation of the cervix. May include abnormal discharge from the cervix that can look and feel like vaginal discharge.

The narrow, lower part of the uterus, with a small opening connecting the uterus to the vagina.

Giving birth when a doctor surgically removes the baby from the uterus. Called “c-section” for short.

A sore on the skin or mucus membrane that’s caused by syphilis during the first phase of infection.

A sexually transmitted bacteria that causes open genital sores, called buboes. Chancroid is very rare today, especially in the U.S.

A device designed to prevent people from having sex. Used from medieval to modern times, these devices were also supposed to preserve morality. Some were meant to ensure fidelity in women. Others were designed to prevent masturbation.

Injecting progestin into someone with a penis/scrotum to decrease sexual desire and arousal. In some countries, sex offenders can be sentenced to chemical castration.

Wrapping breast tissue in order to flatten it and create a more masculine-appearing chest.

Surgical reconstruction to create a more female- or more male-appearing chest. Sometimes referred to as “top surgery.”

Images of children designed to be sexually arousing. Making, distributing, and consuming child pornography are serious crimes.

A very common STD that’s caused by a bacteria and can be cured with antibiotics. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility and arthritis.

A prenatal test that examines the tissue that attaches a fetus to the wall of the uterus. If a doctor or nurse recommends it, CVS is usually performed between 10–12 weeks of pregnancy to detect certain genetic or biological disorders.

A surgical procedure to remove the foreskin of the penis or part of the clitoris. See ”female circumcision.”

Short for cisgender man. A man who identifies as the gender he was assigned at birth — in this case, male. A man who isn’t transgender.

Short for cisgender woman. A woman who identifies as the gender she was assigned at birth — in this case, female. A woman who isn’t transgender.

Those who identify as the gender they were assigned at birth. For example, a baby born with a vulva is categorized a girl. If she also identifies as a girl or woman throughout her life, she’s considered cisgender. In other words, cisgender describes someone who is not transgender.

An orgasm or to have an orgasm.

A qualified health care professional, such as a doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Also called “health care provider.”

Short for clitoris.

A small flap of skin formed by the inner labia that covers and protects the clitoris.

A surgery to shorten the clitoris. Sometimes provided as part of gender affirming surgery. If it’s done without the patient’s consent, it’s a form of female genital mutilation.

Removal of the external clitoris. See "female genital mutilation."

Sex organ whose only known purpose is sexual pleasure. The clitoris swells with blood during sexual excitement. The outer part of the clitoris is located at the top/front of the vulva, right next to urethra (hole you pee out of). The inner part of the clitoris, which is much larger, includes a(...)

“Being in the closet,” or “being closeted,” means not sharing or not being able to share your LGBTQ identity with yourself or others.

An infection that can be passed through sexual contact, childbirth, or breastfeeding. In healthy adults, CMV usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. In babies or adults with a compromised immune system, it can cause symptoms including pneumonia, seizures, etc.

Forcing someone to do something they don’t want to do, often with threats or emotional manipulation.

Tension that arises when one is simultaneously aware of two inconsistent cognitions. For example, dissonance may occur when we realize that we have, with little justification, acted contrary to our attitudes or made a decision favoring one alternative despite reasons favoring another.

A "we feeling"; the extent to which members of a group are bound together, such as by attraction for one another.

Fear of vaginal sex.

Sex in which the penis enters the vagina. Also called “vaginal sex” or ”vaginal intercourse.”

Giving priority to the goals of one's groups (often one's extended family or work group) and defining one's identity accordingly.

Breast milk produced towards the end of pregnancy and for a few days right after childbirth. It’s low in fat but high in cells that help infants fight infections.

A tool with a bright light and magnifying lens that’s used to look at the cervix for a colposcopy. Colposcopes aren’t inserted into the body.

A birth control pill that contains 2 hormones: estrogen and progestin.

Birth control methods — the pill, the patch, the ring — that contain 2 hormones: estrogen and progestin.

Birth control pills that contain 2 hormones: estrogen and progestin.

The process of accepting and being open about one’s identity, such as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. Short for “coming out of the closet.”

The affection we feel for those with whom our lives are deeply intertwined.

The popularly supposed tendency, in a relationship between two people, for each to complete what is missing in the other. The questionable complementarity hypothesis proposes that people attract those whose needs are different, in ways that complement their own.

A miscarriage (when a pregnancy ends on its own) in which all the pregnancy tissue is passed without medical treatment

Conformity that involves publicly acting in accord with social pressure while privately disagreeing. Obedience is acting in accord with a direct order.

A medically accurate, age appropriate curriculum or intervention that includes information about abstinence, birth control, STD prevention, healthy relationships, sexual orientation/gender identity, accessing health care services, and helps build skills around communication and healthy(...)

An 1873 law that made it a federal crime to use the U.S. mail to distribute anything considered “obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecently filthy, or vile,” including information about abortion, contraception, and sexual health. Many state “Comstock laws” were also passed around the turn of the(...)

The beginning of pregnancy. The moment when the pre-embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus and pregnancy begins.

Thin, stretchy pouches worn on the penis during sex. Mostly made from latex or plastics (like polyurethane and polyisoprene). Sometimes made from lambskin. Condoms are an over-the-counter barrier method of birth control that also provide protection from STDs with one exception — lambskin(...)

A tendency to search for information that confirms one's preconceptions.

A perceived incompatibility of actions or goals.

A change in behavior or belief as a result of real or imagined group pressure.

Syphilis that’s passed from parent to fetus during pregnancy, leading to bone disorders, loss of sight or hearing, deformities, stillbirth, or death of a newborn.

Any behavior, device, medication, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy. Also known as birth control.

Substances containing spermicide, which block sperm and prevent it from joining with an egg. These are over-the-counter, one time use barrier methods of birth control. They work best if used with a cervical cap, diaphragm, or condom.

A thin, two-inch square sheet of spermicide that’s inserted deep into the vagina, where it melts into a thick liquid that blocks the entrance to the uterus. It blocks sperm and prevents it from joining with an egg. An over-the-counter one time use barrier method of birth control. Most(...)

A substance that’s inserted deep into the vagina. Contraceptive foam blocks the entrance to the uterus with bubbles that contain a spermicide to block sperm, preventing it from joining with an egg. An over-the-counter, one time use barrier method of birth control. Most effective when used with(...)

A solid capsule containing spermicide that’s­ inserted deep into the vagina, and melts into a liquid to block sperm, preventing it from joining with an egg. An over-the-counter, one time use barrier method of birth control. Most effective when used with a condom.

The on-again, off-again tightening of the uterus during childbirth, which causes intense cramping.

Another way of saying vaginal sex, or sometimes sexual activity in general.

Two strips of erectile tissue in the glans, shaft, and crura of the clitoris and along the sides of the penis that extend back into the pelvic floor. During sexual excitement, they fill with blood and become erect.

A mass of cells that temporarily form on an ovary and produce progesterone following the release of an egg each month.

Erectile tissue that forms the glans of the clitoris and penis. In the penis, it runs from the glans along the underside of the shaft, surrounding the urethra.

The study of the naturally occurring relationships among variables.

Imagining what might have happened, but didn't.

Pregnancy symptoms experienced by the partner of a pregnant person. Also called “sympathetic pregnancy.”

Produce pre-ejaculate (AKA pre-cum), a clear fluid that prepares the urethra for ejaculation. Pre-ejaculate also reduces friction in the urethra, making it easier for semen to pass through. Also called “bulbourethral glands.”

The muscle that elevates the testicles as the temperature gets colder or when the front or inner thigh is touched.

The automatic response of the cremaster muscle, which elevates the testicles when exposed to cold or stimulation.

A person — typically a straight-identified, cisgender man — who sometimes wears clothing associated with the opposite gender for a variety of reasons.

Internal extensions of the corpus cavernosa of the clitoris and penis that attach to the pubic bone.

The removal of abnormal or unwanted tissue — like warts and other growths — by freezing them.

A condition in which one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum within 3 months of birth.

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Slang for "ejaculate," the sperm-containing fluid that comes out of the penis usually during an orgasm. Also another way of saying “to have an orgasm.”

Oral sex using the mouth to stimulate the clitoris, vulva, and vagina.

A small, metal loop used to scrape tissue. Used in dilation and curettage.

A condition associated with pituitary gland problems.

A prenatal test that examines the tissue that attaches the fetus to the wall of the uterus. If recommended by a doctor or nurse, it’s usually done between 10–12 weeks of pregnancy to detect certain genetic or biological conditions.

Sexual encounters that take place online, using video cams, e-mail, or instant messaging.

To track and follow someone’s online presence and communications in a threatening way.

An infection of the bladder. Also called a “urinary tract infection” or “UTI.”

An infection that can be passed through sexual contact, childbirth, or breastfeeding. In healthy adults, CMV usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. In babies or adults with a compromised immune system, it can cause symptoms including pneumonia, seizures, etc.

The use of a curette — a metal medical instrument with a narrow loop — to gently scrape away the uterine lining, and the use of suction to remove tissue from the uterus. Can be used for abortion care or for treatment of a miscarriage.

The use of suction and medical tools to remove tissue from the uterus during an abortion.

Forced sexual contact from someone the victim is knows or is dating. Also sometimes called “acquaintance rape.”

Loss of self-awareness and evaluation apprehension; occurs in group situations that foster responsiveness to group norms, good or bad.

A thin, square piece of latex that helps prevent the spread of STDs when placed over the vulva or anus during oral sex.

The variable being measured, so-called because it may depend on manipulations of the independent variable.

The brand name of the birth control shot. The shot is a hormone that’s injected into the butt or arm every 3 months to prevent pregnancy.

A type of the hormone progestin, which is found in Depo-Provera (the birth control shot).

The tendency of mildly depressed people to make accurate rather than self-serving judgments, attributions, and predictions.

The first stage of the sexual response cycle.

A birth control device made of soft silicone and shaped like a shallow cup. The diaphragm t covers the cervix to prevent pregnancy. Used with spermicide, the diaphragm is a reversible barrier method of birth control available only by prescription.

The use of a curette — a metal medical instrument with a narrow loop — to gently scrape away the uterine lining, and the use of suction to remove tissue from the uterus. Can be used for abortion care or for treatment of a miscarriage.

The use of medical instruments and suction to gently remove tissue from the uterus during an abortion.

A series of increasingly thick rods made of plastic, metal, or natural fiber that are used to stretch open the cervix.

A penis-shaped sex toy used to stimulate the vagina or anus.

The tendency for one person's intimacy of self-disclosure to match that of a conversational partner.

Unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group or its members.

The redirection of aggression to a target other than the source of the frustration. Generally, the new target is a safer or more socially acceptable target.

A type of the hormone progestin, which is in Depo-Provera (the birth control shot). The D stands for depot, the solution in which the hormone is suspended. MPA stands for the hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision, issued on the same day as Roe v. Wade, that struck down restrictions on facilities that can be used for abortion services, which allowed them to be performed in clinics as well as hospitals.

A committed, long-term relationship of two unmarried people who live together.

Putting semen in the vagina or uterus without vaginal intercourse in order to produce a pregnancy. Also called "alternative insemination."

A strategy for gaining a concession. After someone first turns down a large request (the door-in-the-face), the same requester counter offers with a more reasonable request.

Unequal expectations, moral standards, or rules that allow one group to have more privileges than another group within a society. A sexual double standard, for example, usually places more restrictions on women than on men.

A spray of water, medication, or cleanser, which goes into the vagina.

A person who gives emotional support during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth and for some time after.

A range of conditions caused by a fetus having an extra copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21).

Exaggerated cross-dressing for entertainment.

Days during the menstrual cycle when little cervical mucus is produced.

Body rubbing with clothes on.

Orgasm from a penis without ejaculation (when semen comes out of the penis).

Differing implicit (automatic) and explicit (consciously controlled) attitudes toward the same object. Verbalized explicit attitudes may change with education and persuasion; implicit attitudes change slowly, with practice that forms new habits.

Pain or discomfort during menstruation.

Painful vaginal sex.

Abnormal cell growth that can be an early sign of cancer.

A life-threatening medical condition that can happen during the second half of pregnancy. Symptoms include bluish skin, dizziness, mental confusion, pains in the stomach, problems with eyesight, twitching muscles, and vomiting. Eclampsia can be prevented by good prenatal care.

A life-threatening pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. See “tubal pregnancy.”

The reproductive cell stored in the ovaries and released during ovulation. Pregnancy happens when sperm enters an egg, grows into a ball of cells, and implants into the uterus.

A motive (supposedly underlying all behavior) to increase one's own welfare. The opposite of altruism, which aims to increase another's welfare.

The 1972 U.S. Supreme Court decision that made it legal for unmarried people to use birth control.

The moment when semen spurts out of the opening of the urethra in the glans of the penis.

The moment during sex or masturbation when it becomes impossible to stop ejaculation. It happens when the prostate begins to contract and pulse out seminal fluid. Also called “point of no return.”

The organism that develops from a pre-embryo during the second month of pregnancy. This stage of the pregnancy lasts about 5 weeks. Embryos then develop into fetuses.

A safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Emergency contraception pills made from hormones and copper IUDs are the two methods of emergency contraception.

The vicarious experience of another's feelings; putting oneself in another's shoes.

A condition in which endometrial tissue (the tissue that lines the uterus) grows outside the uterus, causing pain, especially before and during menstruation.

The lining of the uterus, which grows every month in order to nourish a fertilized egg. The lining is shed during menstruation (your period) if a fertilized egg doesn’t implant (pregnancy).

A hormone that keeps pain away.

The brand name of the first birth control pill.

The tube that leads from the testes to the vas deferens. Sperm are stored in the epididymis before ejaculation. It’s tightly coiled on top of and behind the testes.

An inflammation of the epididymis.

An injection of painkillers used during childbirth.

A surgical cut into the perineum (the tissue between the bottom of the vulva and the anus) to help childbirth and reduce damage to vaginal and perineal tissue.

A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution which has never been adopted. It was originally pushed forward by the National Women’s Party in 1923, which would have guaranteed that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account(...)

Contact on an equal basis. Just as a relationship between people of unequal status breeds attitudes consistent with their relationship, so do relationships between those of equal status.

A condition in which the outcomes people receive from a relationship are proportional to what they contribute to it. Note: Equitable outcomes needn't always be equal outcomes.

A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution which has never been adopted. It was originally pushed forward by the National Women’s Party in 1923, which would have guaranteed that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account(...)

The inability to get or keep a hard penis.

Spongy tissue in the penis/clitoris that stiffens when filled with blood.

A “hard” penis — when it’s becomes full of blood and stiffens. See "vasocongestion."

Any area of the body that’s sensitive to sensual touch, or feels sexual.

Sexually arousing.

Literature or art that is meant to be sexually arousing.

Fear of the erotic.

Someone who takes someone somewhere. At reproductive health centers, escorts are volunteers who help people get safely inside during anti-choice demonstrations. Escort can also sometimes mean sex worker.

A hormone made in the ovaries, and in much smaller amounts in the adrenal glands at the top of your kidneys, and sometimes even fat tissue. Estrogen plays a part in puberty, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy. Many people take extra estrogen after menopause or as part of transgender care.

A belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic and cultural group, and a corresponding disdain for all other groups.

A person whose testicles, and less often, penis, have been removed.

Concern for how others are evaluating us.

The study of the evolution of behavior using principles of natural selection.

The body’s physical response to desire and to stimulation. The second stage of the sexual response cycle.

People who expose their sex organs to other people in public places.

One's habitual way of explaining life events. A negative, pessimistic, depressive explanatory style attributes failures to stable, global, and internal causes.

The sex organs and structures that you can see. These include the vulva, penis, and scrotum.

Sex by a married person with someone other than their spouse.

One of two narrow tubes that carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus during ovulation.

The tendency to overestimate the commonality of one's opinions and one's undesirable or unsuccessful behaviors.

A test result that incorrectly says that the condition tested for is not present.

A test result that incorrectly says that the condition tested for is present.

The tendency to underestimate the commonality of one's abilities and one's desirable or successful behaviors.

Making plans and taking actions, like using birth control, to have the number of children you want, when you want them.

A name for several ways to track ovulation — the release of an egg — in order to prevent pregnancy. Some people call FAMs "natural family planning.”

A thought, idea, or daydream that causes sexual excitement.

The federal law passed in 2003 and upheld in 2007 that bans certain kinds of abortion procedures as early as 12 to 15 weeks in pregnancy. The federal ban includes no exception for the patient’s health and forces doctors to stop using procedures they believe are safest and best for their patients.

Oral sex on a penis. Also called a “blow job.”

One of two possible legal/medical gender categories, assigned at birth. Also describes when someone has XX chromosomes.

The practice of removing part or all of the clitoral hood, clitoris, or vulva as part of a cultural or religious ritual. In some cases, the vulva is sewn together to preserve virginity. See “female genital mutilation.”

A polyurethane pouch that goes inside the vagina or anus for pregnancy and/or STD prevention. Female condoms are sometimes called internal condoms or referred to by their brand name, FC2 Female Condom®.

The release of fluid out of the urethra during intense sexual excitement or orgasm. The fluid comes from the Skene’s glands, which are located in the vulva near the opening of the urethra. Sometimes called “squirting.”

The practice of removing part or all of the clitoral hood, clitoris, or vulva as part of a cultural or religious ritual. In some cases, the vulva is sewn together to preserve virginity. See “female circumcision.”

Term used by some scientists to describe the Skene’s glands in a woman’s vulva, which may secrete a fluid similar to the fluid produced by the prostate gland.

A trans person whose sex assignment at birth was female but whose gender identity is male. May prefer the identity trans man, or simply man. These identities can also refer to someone who was surgically assigned female at birth, in the case of intersex people, but whose gender identity is male.

The brand of cervical cap available in the US; a silicone cup shaped like a sailor’s cap that fits inside the vagina to cover the cervix. Used with spermicide, the cervical cap is a reusable barrier method of birth control that’s available by prescription.

Characteristics and ways of appearing and behaving that a culture associates with being a girl or a woman.

The belief that people of all genders should have equitable economic, political, sexual, and social rights.

An identity associated with a gender presentation that is considered “feminine.”

The ability to have children or cause a pregnancy.

A name for several ways to track ovulation — the release of an egg — in order to prevent pregnancy. Some people call FAMs "natural family planning.”

Another way of saying the menstrual cycle. The monthly pattern of ovulation, the shedding of the lining of the uterus (menstruation), and the body’s preparation for another ovulation.

The number of live births per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15–44).

The joining of an egg and sperm.

Develops from the embryo at 10 weeks of pregnancy and receives nourishment through the placenta.

A benign tumor that grows on the walls of the uterus.

The first 3 months of pregnancy.

Putting several fingers or a hand into the vagina or anus of a sex partner.

Exposing one’s breasts or sex organs. See "exhibitionists."

A sac in the ovary that holds a maturing egg.

Made by the pituitary gland, this hormone stimulates the growth of an egg/the development of sperm in men.

Touching someone in a sexual way.

Small yellowish or white bumps or spots on the inside of the cheeks or lips, on the glans or shaft of the penis, or on the vulva. 50 to 100 may appear in one area. They’re completely harmless, aren’t sexually transmitted, and aren’t infectious.

Kissing, rubbing, stroking, and/or touching that leads to sex. Foreplay can prolong and/or increase sexual excitement and pleasure.

A tube of skin that covers and protects the glans (head) of the penis, and rolls back when the penis becomes erect. A circumcised penis has had the foreskin removed.

Sex between unmarried people that’s considered wrong by a cultural or religious group.

On the vulva, it’s the highly sensitive tissue where the inner labia join below the glans of the clitoris. On the penis, it’s the highly sensitive, triangular piece of skin just below the glans (head).

Sexual body rubbing. Also called “dry humping.”

Made by the pituitary gland, this hormone stimulates the growth of an egg/the development of sperm in men.

A trans person whose sex assignment at birth was female but whose gender identity is male. May prefer the identity trans man, or simply man. These identities can also refer to someone who was surgically assigned female at birth, in the case of intersex people, but whose gender identity is male.

The tendency for observers to underestimate situational influences and overestimate dispositional influences upon others' behavior. (Also called correspondence bias, because we so often see behavior as corresponding to a disposition.)

An area inside the vagina that’s highly sensitive to touch, along the upper wall of the vagina. Stimulation of the G spot can lead to intense sexual arousal and orgasm for some people.

A cell that fuses with another cell during fertilization. In humans, eggs and sperm are gametes.

A type of assisted reproductive procedure, in which an egg is taken from a person’s ovary, mixed with semen, and then put back in one of their fallopian tubes.

A sexual assault perpetrated by 2 or more people.

When someone is only attracted to people of the same gender.

Physical or verbal violence against people who are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

The national call to establish civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender women and men from the late 1960s to the mid 1980s.

A social and legal status of male or female. A set of expectations from society about behaviors and characteristics. Each culture has standards about the way that people should behave based on whether they’re male or female.

Surgery on sex organs or secondary sex characteristics to match one’s gender identity.

The medical and legal description of one’s sex, determined at birth.

The idea that there are only 2 categories of gender (male and female) that are mutually exclusive and different from each other.

A diagnosis, often used by psychologists and doctors, to describe the distress, unhappiness, and anxiety that transgender people may feel about the mismatch between their bodies and their gender identity. A person may need to be formally diagnosed with gender dysphoria in order to receive(...)

The flexibility of gender expressions and identities that may change over time or even from day to day. A gender fluid person may feel male on some days, female on others, both male and female, or neither. A gender fluid person might also identify as genderqueer.

An individual’s inner feelings and outer expressions of their gender.

An outdated psychiatric diagnosis (see “gender dysphoria”).

When a person’s gender expression doesn’t fit inside traditional male or female categories (sometimes called the gender binary). These labels can include someone who identifies as both male and female, neither male nor female, or some other gender altogether. It’s not the same as being(...)

Someone or something that conforms to social standards on appropriate feminine and masculine behavior.

Social standards on appropriate feminine and masculine behavior.

A set of behavior expectations (norms) for males and females.

Social standards on appropriate feminine and masculine behavior.

The socialization process by which one is conditioned over their lifetime to adopt certain attitudes, behaviors, and preferences considered appropriate for one’s gender, either feminine or masculine.

Exaggerated expectations of the way boys/men or girls/women should behave.

A term for people who don’t identify as a man or a woman or whose identity lies outside the traditional gender binary of male and female. Some people use genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and non-binary interchangeably, but others don’t. Genderqueer has a political history, so many use the(...)

Microscopic chains in your cells that carry information about you that’s unique to you, but includes pieces from your biological family - everything from eye color, to height, to body type, to personality.

A common STD in the area of the anus, cervix, penis, vagina, or vulva. Very often there are no symptoms, while the most common symptom is a cluster of blistery sores. Since it’s a virus, there is no cure, but there is treatment available.

Surgery on the genitals. Sometimes done for intersex or transgender people to align their genitals with their gender identity (also known as “gender affirmation surgery”). Can also be done after genital injury, circumcision, or mutilation.

Soft, flesh-colored growths on or near the penis/vulva, caused by some types of HPV (human papilloma virus). They are usually painless, but may itch.

External sex and reproductive organs, like the the vulva, penis, and scrotum.

Fear of sex.

The period of time when a fetus is developing in the womb.

The length of a pregnancy. Measured from the first day of the last menstrual period.

An outdated psychiatric diagnosis (see “gender dysphoria”).

A type of assisted reproductive procedure, in which an egg is taken from a person’s ovary, mixed with semen, and then put back in one of their fallopian tubes.

An old fashioned word for a male sex worker.

The soft, highly sensitive tip of the clitoris or penis. Also called the “head” of the penis.

Hormones released by the pituitary gland. They trigger puberty by stimulating the ovaries or testes.

The organs that produce reproductive cells — the ovaries and testes.

A bacterial STD that’s easy to treat, but if left untreated can lead to infertility, arthritis, and heart problems. Often has no symptoms.

An area inside the vagina that’s highly sensitive to touch, along the upper wall of the vagina. Stimulation of the G spot can lead to intense sexual arousal and orgasm for some people.

Explaining away outgroup members' positive behaviors; also attributing negative behaviors to their dispositions (while excusing such behavior by one's own group).

"The mode of thinking that persons engage in when concurrence-seeking becomes so dominant in a cohesive in-group that it tends to override realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action." -Irving Janis (1971).

Surgery on the genitals. Sometimes done for intersex or transgender people to align their genitals with their gender identity (also known as “gender affirmation surgery”). Can also be done after genital injury, circumcision, or mutilation.

A slang word for the perineum, the skin between the vulva and anus or scrotum and anus. May also refer to piercing that area with a metal ring to increase sexual pleasure.

A doctor who specializes in health care for the vulva, vagina, uterus, ovaries, and breasts.

Health care specializing in the vulva, vagina, uterus, ovaries, and breasts.

The swelling of breast tissue in people assigned male at birth. It’s caused by a change in hormone balance — common during puberty, and eventually goes away.

Fear of women.

Slang for someone using their hand to rub/stimulate someone else’s penis.

A viral infection that can be sexually transmitted. It can lead to dangerous liver problems in some people.

A licensed doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, or physician assistant.

A plan or program that helps pay for the medical expenses of their members, like medicine, doctor visits, and surgery.

Touching a partner’s genitals in a sexual way.

The belief that pleasure is the most valuable thing to pursue.

A viral infection that can be sexually transmitted. It can lead to dangerous liver problems in some people.

An outdated and offensive word. A better term is “intersex.”

A common STD caused by two different but similar viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both kinds can make blistery sores show up on and around the genitals or mouth.

The cultural assumption that everyone is straight (heterosexual) until they tell you otherwise.

The belief that heterosexuality is better than other sexual orientations.

Being attracted to people of the other gender.

A rule-of-thumb strategy that enables quick, efficient judgments.

A pregnancy that is more likely to have complications for the pregnant person or their fetus.

The tendency to exaggerate, after learning an outcome, one's ability to have foreseen how something turned out. Also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon.

A chronic virus that breaks down the immune system. Can lead to AIDS if not treated.

Fear or hatred of people who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Being attracted to people of the same gender.

Birth control methods that use hormones to prevent pregnancy. These include the implant, the hormonal IUD, the pill, the patch, the ring, and the shot.

A combination of hormones (like estrogen or testosterone) or hormone-blockers used in transgender care to help patients have secondary sex characteristics in line with their gender identity. In menopause and postmenopause, estrogen and sometimes progestin can relieve symptoms such as(...)

A combination of hormones (like estrogen or testosterone) or hormone-blockers used in transgender care to help patients have secondary sex characteristics in line with their gender identity. In menopause and postmenopause, estrogen and sometimes progestin can relieve symptoms such as(...)

Chemicals that cause changes in our bodies and brains. They naturally exist and can also be made in a lab.

Slang for wanting to have sex or for being sexually aroused.

A sudden, sometimes intense feeling of heat in the face or upper body that happens during perimenopause and menopause.

The most common STD. Some types of HPV may cause genital warts. Others may cause cancer of the anus, cervix, penis, throat, or vulva. Most of the time HPV is harmless and goes away on its own.

A combination of hormones (like estrogen or testosterone) or hormone-blockers used in transgender care to help patients have secondary sex characteristics in line with their gender identity. 2. In menopause and postmenopause, estrogen and sometimes progestin can relieve symptoms such(...)

One type of the herpes virus. HSV-1 typically infects the mouth, causing cold sores. More rarely, HSV-1 can infect the genitals. HSV-1 is extremely common and may not always be transmitted sexually, as skin-to-skin contact is all that’s needed to pass it on.

One type of the herpes virus. HSV-2 typically infects the genitals, causing clusters of sores. More rarely, HSV-2 can infect the mouth. It’s generally passed by sexual skin-to-skin contact.

A chronic virus that breaks down the immune system. Can lead to AIDS if not treated.

The most common STD. Some types of HPV may cause genital warts. Others may cause cancer of the anus, cervix, penis, throat, or vulva. Most of the time HPV is harmless and goes away on its own.

A 1977 law, first sponsored by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL), that forbids the use of federal funds to pay for abortion services.

A thin, fleshy piece of tissue that stretches across part of the opening to the vagina.

The exaggeration of gender-stereotyped feminine behavior.

The exaggeration of gender-stereotyped masculine behavior.

Having more libido or a higher sex drive than most people.

Having less libido (sexual desire) than most people.

A part of the brain that controls hormones, including hormones related to sexual desire and mood.

Surgery to remove the uterus.

A long, thin tool that lets a nurse or doctor see inside the uterus

A non-incision method of permanent birth control. A doctor puts tiny coils into the fallopian tubes, causing scar tissue to grow and block the tubes. Known by the brand name Essure.

Perception of uncontrollable events as subject to one's control or as more controllable than they are.

Perception of a relationship where none exists, or perception of a stronger relationship than actually exists.

The body’s natural protection against infection and disease.

The brand name of an older birth control implant. The newer version of Implanon is called Nexplanon. The implant is a small rod, about the size of a matchstick, that prevents pregnancy for up to 4 years. A doctor or nurse inserts the implant under the skin of the upper arm. It releases the(...)

A small rod, about the size of a matchstick, that prevents pregnancy for up to 4 years. A doctor or nurse inserts the implant under the skin of the upper arm. It releases the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy.

When a pre-embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus. This is when pregnancy begins. Usually starts about 6 days after fertilization (when egg and sperm meet) and takes 3 to 4 days to complete.

Light vaginal bleeding that sometimes happens when a pre-embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus and pregnancy begins.

The inability to have an erection (get hard). “Erectile dysfunction” is now the preferred term.

Any method of assisted reproduction in which fertilization takes place outside the body (usually in a lab) in an effort to get someone pregnant.

A procedure done in a health center, doctor’s office, or hospital that ends a pregnancy.

Sexual activity between members of the same family.

A kind of miscarriage or abortion in which some pregnancy tissue passes out of the uterus but some stays inside. Sometimes treatment is needed to remove the remaining tissue.

Being unable to control urination or bowel movements.

Illegal, public display of genitals or breasts. Also called “flashing.”

The experimental factor that a researcher manipulates..

Giving priority to one's own goals over group goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications.

The intentional termination of pregnancy.

Menopause that happens as a result of ovaries being removed or damaged.

Miscarriage that’s medically certain to happen in the near future.

Number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births.

Intense, usually short-lived, emotional or sexual attraction to another person.

The inability to become pregnant or to cause a pregnancy.

The most severe form of female genital mutilation. It includes removing the outside clitoris and labia, and sewing the opening of the vagina closed.

Failing to keep a promise to be monogamous, usually in the context of a marriage.

Conformity occurring when people accept evidence about reality provided by other people.

"us"-a group of people who share a sense of belonging, a feeling of common identity.

The tendency to favor one's own group.

The inability to become physically sexually aroused, despite one’s desire. May affect vaginal lubrication or the ability to have an erection. Not the same thing as asexuality.

The labia of the vulva that surround the clitoris and the openings to the urethra and vagina. Also called "labia minora."

Putting sperm into the vagina, cervix, uterus, or fallopian tubes to cause a pregnancy.

An innate, unlearned behavior pattern exhibited by all members of a species.

Reduction of dissonance by internally justifying one's behavior when external justification is "insufficient."

A penis with a foreskin, also called uncircumcised.

Sexual activity in which the penis goes into the vagina (vaginal intercourse) or the anus (anal intercourse).

The organs inside the body that are responsible for reproduction. Internal reproductive organs that respond to sexual stimulation (like the vagina) are also called sex organs.

Fear of being homosexual or negative feelings towards oneself for being homosexual.

A general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit the typical definitions of female or male. Sometimes a female or male gender is assigned to an intersex person at birth through surgery, if external genitals are not(...)

The closeness you feel when you share your private and personal self with someone else.  

A pattern of emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse in the context of an intimate relationship. Also called "domestic violence," "partner abuse," "relationship abuse," and "dating violence."

Another way of saying IUD. A tiny device that’s placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s safe, long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods available. One IUD, the ParaGard, use copper to prevent pregnancy. Others use hormones to prevent pregnancy.

A tiny device that’s placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s safe, long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods available. One IUD, the ParaGard, use copper to prevent pregnancy. Others use hormones to prevent pregnancy.

Another way of saying IUD. A tiny device that’s placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s safe, long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods available. One IUD, the ParaGard, use copper to prevent pregnancy. Others use hormones to prevent pregnancy.

A pattern of emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse in the context of an intimate relationship. Also called "domestic violence," "partner abuse," "relationship abuse," and "dating violence."

Another way of saying IUD. A tiny device that’s placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s safe, long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods available. One IUD, the ParaGard, use copper to prevent pregnancy. Others use hormones to prevent pregnancy.

A tiny device that’s placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s safe, long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods available. One IUD, the ParaGard, use copper to prevent pregnancy. Others use hormones to prevent pregnancy.

Another way of saying IUD. A tiny device that’s placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s safe, long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods available. One IUD, the ParaGard, use copper to prevent pregnancy. Others use hormones to prevent pregnancy.

Any method of assisted reproduction in which fertilization takes place outside the body (usually in a lab) in an effort to get someone pregnant.

Yellowing of eyes, skin, and mucous membranes due to diseases of the liver. Can also happen in newborn infants if the liver isn’t fully functional yet. In infants treatment often isn’t needed, but treatment is available.

Feelings of anxiety about a partner or crush’s attention, love, or commitment. Fear that a partner has feelings for someone else.

A very common fungal skin infection on the scrotum, penis, or groin area. Caused by wearing tight clothing, sweating a lot, or not drying the genitals carefully after bathing. Jock itch can cause a reddish, scaly rash that can become inflamed, itchy, and painful.

The tendency of people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get.

The tightening and releasing of the muscles that stop urination in order to prevent and improve urinary incontinence, improve sexual sensation, and aid recovery of vaginal muscle tone after childbirth. Because they exercise internal muscles, kegels can be done anywhere, anytime.

The idea that evolution has selected altruism toward one's close relatives to enhance the survival of mutually shared genes.

An uncommon sexual behavior or preference.

A scale used to demonstrate the spectrum of sexual orientations. Designed by Alfred Kinsey and his associates in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The seven points on the scale show the range that people reported in Kinsey's surveys, from “exclusively heterosexual” to “exclusively homosexual.”

An intersex condition where someone is born with one Y and two X chromosomes (XXY). Sometimes diagnosed during puberty, sometimes not until adulthood, depending on symptoms. Symptoms can include a small penis, abnormal body proportions, and infertility.

The lips of the vulva.

The outer lips of the vulva.

The inner lips of the vulva.

The process of childbirth, including everything from the contractions of the uterus and dilation of the cervix to delivery of the infant and finally the placenta.

Using exclusive breastfeeding about every 4 hours as a method of birth control. Works for up to 6 months after childbirth, or until you get your period (whichever comes first).

A healthy bacteria found in the vagina. Helps prevent vaginitis by limiting the growth of candida, a yeast.

Using exclusive breastfeeding about every 4 hours as a method of birth control. Works for up to 6 months after childbirth, or until you get your period (whichever comes first).

A tool used in medical procedures, like tubal sterilizations, to see inside the belly or pelvis. It’s a thin rod with a light and a camera that’s inserted through a small cut in the belly.

A safe and non-invasive procedure. Uses a laparoscope (thin rod that goes through a small incision in the belly) to examine or do a biopsy of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. Can also be used for certain types of tubal sterilization.

A method of tubal sterilization that involves major surgery, requiring a two- to five-inch belly incision through which the fallopian tubes are located and blocked.

The hopelessness and resignation learned when a human or animal perceives no control over repeated bad events.

A woman who’s sexually or romantically attracted to other women.

Fear of lesbians.

Fear of strong women.

A white or yellow colored vaginal discharge that happens during puberty, pregnancy, and other times when hormone levels are changing.

A synthetic progestin similar to the hormone progesterone, which the body makes to regulate the menstrual cycle. Used in hormonal birth control, including most brands of emergency contraception.

Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (or, alternatively, “queer.”)

One type of gonadatropin, a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. A quick rise in this hormone in the body, known as the “LH surge,” triggers ovulation in females. In males, LH regulates testosterone.

Feeling of sexual desire.

The area of the brain and nerve system that controls emotions, drives, and desires.

An obsessive infatuation; lovesickness.

Groups of tissue (about 15-20 in each breast) inside female breasts. Where breast milk is made.

The extent to which people perceive outcomes as internally controllable by their own efforts and actions or as externally controlled by chance or outside forces.

A strong caring for someone else. It comes in many forms. There can be love for romantic partners and also for close friends, for parents and children, for pets, for nature, or for something religious/spiritual.

Weighing less than 5.5 pounds (5 lbs 8 oz) when born. About 1 out of 12 babies are born with low birth weight. Low birth weight babies are at higher risk of many health problems.

A tactic for getting people to agree to something. People who agree to an initial request will often still comply when the requester ups the ante. People who receive only the costly request are less likely to comply with it.

A water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based product used to increase slipperiness and reduce friction during sex.

When part of the breast is removed because it contains cancer or other abnormal tissue.

Sexual desire for someone.

One type of gonadatropin, a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. A quick rise in this hormone in the body, known as the “LH surge,” triggers ovulation in females. In males, LH regulates testosterone.

Andropause, the gradual decline in sexual vigor as men age, due to decreasing levels of testosterone.

A trans person who was assigned male at birth, but whose gender identity is female. May prefer the identity trans woman, or simply woman. Can also refer to someone who was surgically assigned male at birth, in the case of intersex people, but whose gender identity is female.

The organs that produce breast milk.

Breast cancer screening that takes X-rays of the breasts to detect cancer before they can be felt.

An early abortion procedure in which a small, hand-held suction device or suction machine gently takes the pregnancy tissue out of the uterus.

Forced sex within marriage.

Characteristics and ways of appearing and behaving that society associates with being a boy or a man.

The surgical removal of a breast.

An inflammation of the breast usually caused by an infection.

Touching one’s own body/genitals for sexual pleasure.

The tendency for men and women to choose as partners those who are a "good match" in attractiveness and other traits.

Death during or shortly after pregnancy.

The use of a combination of drugs to end a pregnancy. Also called the “abortion pill.”

Three people in a sexual encounter. Also called a threesome or threeway.

The first time a person gets their period.

When menstruation stops because of hormonal changes. Usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, but sometimes menopause happens earlier due to certain medical conditions.

Menstrual bleeding that’s heavier or longer lasting than usual.

The blood and discharge that comes out of the uterus and through the vagina during menstruation.

A latex or silicone receptacle that fits in the vagina to collect menstrual flow.

The time from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period. During the menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus grows, an egg is released by the ovaries, and the uterine lining sheds.

Blood and discharge that are passed out of the uterus through the vagina during the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

When 2 or more people have their periods at the same time.

The flow of blood, fluid, and tissue out of the uterus and through the vagina that usually lasts from 3 to 7 days. Often called a period.

The tendency for novel stimuli to be liked more or rated more positively after the rater has been repeatedly exposed to them.

A wig for the pubic area.

To spread from one part of the body to another, as in when cancer spreads.

How well a particular type of birth control prevents pregnancy.

A penis that’s small enough to be considered abnormal.

A person trained to assist in childbirth.

One of two drugs (the other is misoprostol) used for a medication abortion. Commonly known as “the abortion pill.” The brand name in the U.S is Mifeprex.

A surgical procedure that can used for tubal sterilization. It involves making a small incision on the lower abdomen through which the fallopian tubes can be located and blocked.

Birth control pills that contain only the hormone progestin. More correctly called “progestin-only pills.”

Reciprocal views of one another often held by parties in conflict; for example, each may view itself as moral and peace-loving and the other as evil and aggressive.

When an embryo or fetus dies before the 20th week of pregnancy.

Dislike, contempt for, or hatred of women.

A medication that can be used to complete a medication abortion that’s been induced with mifepristone. This process is commonly known as the abortion pill. Although less effective than mifepristone, misoprostol is used alone for abortion in some countries.

When a pregnancy ends, but the tissue remains in the uterus. Sometimes this can lead to a person continuing to experience pregnancy symptoms for a time. Treatment is sometimes needed to remove the tissue from the uterus.

The position for vaginal sex in which the man lies on top of the woman, face-to-face.

Lower belly pain that some people experience during ovulation.

When a fertilized egg grows into a benign tumor instead of an embryo/placenta.

A virus that can be sexually transmitted, causing small, pinkish-white, waxy, round, polyp-like growths in the genital area or on the thighs.

When 2 people decide to have sex only with each other and no one else.

The fleshy, triangular mound above the vulva that’s covered with pubic hair in adults. It cushions the pubic bone.

Exposing one’s butt to other people.

Nausea and vomiting that happens during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Slang for having an erect penis when waking up. People who have penises can have several erections at night as part of their sleep cycle. Very often, when they wake up, they’re still erect. Also called “nocturnal penile tumescence.”

Emergency contraception that can be used within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected vaginal sex to decrease the chance of pregnancy.

A ball of cells that develops from a fertilized egg, and eventually grows into an embryo.

A trans person who was assigned male at birth, but whose gender identity is female. May prefer the identity trans woman, or simply woman. Can also refer to someone who was surgically assigned male at birth, in the case of intersex people, but whose gender identity is female.

A fertility awareness-based method for predicting fertility by tracking changes in the appearance and quantity of cervical mucus. Can be used for planning a pregnancy or as birth control if tracked over many months.

Having given birth more than once.

A prenatal blood test that happens between 15-20 weeks of pregnancy to look for indications of conditions like Down syndrome, brain and spine defects, and others. Also called a triple test or quad test.

The occurrence of more than 1 orgasm within one sexual experience.

When people masturbate in each other’s presence.

Using little or no medication during labor and delivery. Reducing pain by addressing fear and tension, exercising and training abdominal and uterine muscles beforehand, and using relaxed breathing during labor.

Using fertility awareness-based methods of contraception (See “fertility awareness-based methods”).

The evolutionary process by which nature selects traits that best enable organisms to survive and reproduce in particular environmental niches.

The error of defining what is good in terms of what is observable. For example: What's typical is normal; what's normal is good.

When a person needs is sexually aroused by dead bodies.

When a person needs is sexually aroused by dead bodies.

A motivation to bond with others in relationships that provide ongoing, positive interactions.

A test finding that shows that the condition tested for is not present.

Regarding a newborn infant.

The stage of pregnancy when a neural tube develops, marking the beginning of an embryo.

The dark tissue in the center of the areola of each breast in someone of any gender. Nipples can stand erect when stimulated by touch or cold. The nipples can also release milk in people who are breastfeeding.

Commonly known as a “wet dream;” ejaculation while sleeping, which most often occurs during puberty.

A sexual climax during sleep.

Spontaneous erection of the penis during sleep. NPT usually happens several times per night as part of the sleep cycle.

Trans people who haven’t had, and may not desire, gender affirming surgery. Does not imply anything about hormone treatment.

A chemical that immobilizes sperm. Used in spermicide.

A kind of progestin used in some hormonal contraceptives.

Conformity based on a person's desire to fulfill others' expectations, often to gain acceptance.

Rules for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe "proper" behavior. (In a different sense of the word, norms also describe what most others do-what is normal.)

Spontaneous erection of the penis during sleep. NPT usually happens several times per night as part of the sleep cycle.

Never having given birth.

A registered nurse who has been trained to provide primary health care, including many services also performed by doctors.

A registered nurse who has been trained to facilitate childbirth.

The brand name of the hormonal birth control ring available in the U.S. The NuvaRing is placed inside the vagina, and needs to be replaced each month.

Sexually arousing imagery that’s deemed offensive to the public.

A doctor who’s specially trained to provide care during pregnancy and childbirth.

Slang for having sex with someone right after meeting them and never seeing them again.

A not fully developed egg cell.

The surgical removal of an ovary.

When 2 people in an intimate relationship or marriage agree that they can have other sexual or romantic partners. See: polyamory.

Another name for the birth control pill.

An infection of the mouth with herpes simplex virus 1 or herpes simplex virus 2. Symptoms are commonly known as cold sores.

Sex involving the mouth and genitals, including cunnilingus, anilingus, and fellatio.

Inflammation of a testicle.

The peak of sexual arousal, when all the muscles that were tightened during sexual arousal relax, usually causing a very pleasurable feeling.

Sex among 3 or more people.

The labia that surround the inner lips of the vulva. Also called the "labia majora."

Sexual activity that doesn’t include vaginal or anal sex.

"them"-a group that people perceive as distinctively different from or apart from their ingroup.

Perception of outgroup members as more similar to one another than are ingroup members. Thus "they are alike; we are diverse."

Revealing someone else’s sexual orientation or gender identity that they may not have shared or want to be shared.

A growth on an ovary. Usually benign (not cancerous). May cause belly pain or irregular periods, and sometimes requires treatment. Most often goes away on its own.

The 2 organs that store and release eggs. Ovaries also produce hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Available without a prescription from a nurse or doctor.

The tendency to be more confident than correct to overestimate the accuracy of one's beliefs.

The result of bribing people to do what they already like doing; they may then see their action as externally controlled rather than intrinsically appealing.

Also known as the fallopian tube, it carries an egg from the ovary to the uterus.

When an ovary releases an egg.

The tendency for people to more accurately recognize faces of their own race.

Having sexual or romantic attraction to people of all genders.

A term commonly used to describe a Pap test, which looks for abnormal, precancerous, or cancerous growths on the cervix.

A test to look for abnormal, precancerous, or cancerous growths on the cervix. Sometimes called a Pap smear.

A brand of IUD that contains copper and can prevent pregnancy for up to 12 years.

A sex practice that a person needs for sexual arousal, but isn’t considered socially normal or acceptable.

A requirement that 1 or both parents give permission for a minor (someone under the age of 18) to do something. Many states have mandatory parental consent laws regarding abortion services for minors. Most states don’t require parental consent for services like birth control or STD testing.

Having given birth.

Childbirth.

Being perceived as the gender with which one identifies, regardless of sex assignment at birth. Can also refer to someone being assumed to be cisgender, or being assumed to be heterosexual. Many trans people object to the term “passing” because it suggests that someone is not genuinely what(...)

A state of intense longing for union with another. Passionate lovers are absorbed in one another, feel ecstatic at attaining their partner's love, and are disconsolate on losing it.

Slang for ejaculate (cum) spilled onto a person’s neck or chest.

Tiny flesh-colored bumps that ring the edge of the head of the penis. 1 in 3 people with penises have papules. Although they may be sensitive to touch, they’re not harmful and aren’t sexually transmitted. They can be removed with laser treatment.

A physical exam of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. May include a Pap or HPV test, but not always.

An infection in the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries that can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain. It’s often caused by untreated STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia.

A reproductive and sex organ that’s made of spongy tissue. The spongy tissue fills with blood during sexual excitement, a process known as erection (getting hard). Urine and semen pass through the penis.

Medicine that helps prevent HIV (or other infections) if started within a few days after being exposed.

How effective a birth control method would be if always used exactly the right way. See "typical use."

Fear of being unable to please a sex partner.

The period of time leading up to menopause during which some symptoms of menopause may start.

Around the time of childbirth.

The area of skin between the anus and the vulva or scrotum.

Menstruation. The monthly flow of blood and tissue from the uterus and out the vagina.

Persuasion that occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speaker's attractiveness.

The buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies. Its size depends on our familiarity with whoever is near us.

The process by which a message induces change in beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors.

Old fashioned slang for outercourse.

A rare condition that’s caused by fibrous growths or scar tissue inside the penis. Symptoms including a severe curve to the penis and painful erections.

Shaped like a penis.

Fear of the penis.

In genital reconstructive surgery, the creation of a penis from the person’s existing genital tissue.

Odors given off by animals, including humans, to attract others sexually.

A condition in which the foreskin of the penis is too tight to be pulled back, usually diagnosed in young children.

Sexually arousing phone conversations in which people fantasize about having sex with each other and masturbate.

The presumption that physically attractive people possess other socially desirable traits as well: What is beautiful is good.

A health care provider who’s trained to provide basic medical services, usually under the supervision of a physician.

An infection in the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries that can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain. It’s often caused by untreated STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Short for the birth control pill.

The abusive, exploitive “manager” of a sex worker.

The organ that makes hormones that regulate growth and development, including puberty and sexual maturation. Located underneath the brain.

The organ formed on the wall of the uterus that provides oxygen and other nourishment to a fetus during pregnancy, and through which waste products are eliminated from a fetus.

A brand of emergency contraception pill made from levonorgestrel, the same kind of hormone found in birth control pills. Available over the counter to anyone of any age or gender in the US.

The stage of sexual arousal in which a sexually excited person may approach orgasm. The third stage of the sexual response cycle.

Not sexual.

A false impression of how other people are thinking, feeling, or responding.

Emotional and physical symptoms that appear a few days before and during menstruation, including depression, fatigue, bloating, and irritability.

The moment during sexual excitement when a person with a penis can’t stop their ejaculation. It occurs when the prostate begins to contract and pulse out seminal fluid. Also known as ejaculatory inevitability.

Having sexual or romantic relationships with more than 1 person at a time with the consent of all people involved.

A hormone imbalance where the ovaries release too much androgen (a hormone). Common symptoms include missed or irregular periods, benign ovarian cysts, infertility, acne, excessive hair growth, and weight gain.

Having more than 1 spouse.

Small, usually harmless growths that are common in many parts of the body, including the uterus and cervix.

Video, photos or words that are made for sexual excitement.

A test finding that indicates that the condition tested for is present.

Images of what we dream of or dread becoming in the future.

Medicine that helps prevent HIV (or other infections) if started within a few days after being exposed.

A fertility awareness-based method of birth control using abstinence or barrier methods from the beginning of menstruation until the morning of the fourth day after predicted ovulation — more than half of the menstrual cycle.

Following childbirth.

Depression that happens after giving birth.

Severe postpartum depression that may include withdrawal from reality, delusions, and hallucinations.

Slang for pre-ejaculate, ­the liquid that oozes out of the penis during sexual excitement before ejaculation. Sometimes, for some people, it has a small amount of sperm in it.

An condition during pregnancy that includes fluid buildup, high blood pressure, and protein deposits in the urine of a pregnant person. The complications may include brain hemorrhage, eye damage, heart problems, fetal malnutrition, low birth weight, and death.

The liquid that oozes out of the penis during sexual excitement before ejaculation. Sometimes, for some people, it has a small amount of sperm in it. Also called “pre-cum.”

The organism that starts developing at fertilization when the zygote is formed by the joining of an egg and a sperm. It attaches to the lining of the uterus after about 7 days. It continues to develop until it forms an embryo, 9 to 11 days later. Up to 50 percent of all pre-embryos end up(...)

A medicine taken daily to reduce the risk of getting HIV.

When someone is carrying a developing fetus in their uterus. It begins with the implantation of the pre-embryo and progresses through the embryonic and fetal stages until birth, unless it’s ended by miscarriage or abortion. It lasts about 40 weeks from implantation to birth.

A negative prejudgment of a group and its individual members.

Early childbirth, before the 37th week of pregnancy.

When a person with a penis ejaculates before they want to, or has little control over how quickly they ejaculate during sex.

A severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that causes depression and anxiety during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (after ovulation).

Emotional and physical symptoms that appear a few days before and during menstruation, including depression, fatigue, bloating, and irritability.

A medicine taken daily to reduce the risk of getting HIV.

Foreskin.

An unwanted and long-lasting erection. Caused by too much blood flow into the corpus cavernosa, often from medications.

Other things being equal, information presented first usually has the most influence.

Body parts that are related to reproduction or sexual functioning (like the penis, scrotum, vulva, vagina, uterus, and ovaries). It also includes the ability to produce eggs or sperm.

The first stage of a syphilis infection, during which an open sore called a chancre develops.

Activating particular associations in memory.

Supporting the right to a safe, legal abortion.

Having vaginal sex for the purpose of having a child.

A hormone produced in the ovaries that helps regulate puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy.

A synthetic progesterone found in all hormonal birth control methods.

A condition in which the uterus sags or slips out of its normal position into the vagina. Caused by weakened pelvic muscles. Most common after menopause in people who have given birth.

Having casual sex frequently with different people.

A device or treatment used to prevent infection, like a condom.

A gland that produces a fluid which helps sperm move. The prostate can be very sensitive to the touch, and many people enjoy stimulating the prostate for sexual pleasure.

An enlargement and inflammation of the prostate gland that can cause problems peeing and pain in the groin. Sometimes goes away on its own, and sometimes antibiotics or other medications can treat it.

Someone who gets paid to provide sex. Often considered offensive and outdated. The preferred term is “sex worker.”

The act of providing sex for pay. Often considered offensive and outdated. The preferred term is “sex work.”

The time between childhood and adulthood when people mature physically and sexually. Puberty is marked by changes such as breast development and menstruation or hair growth and ejaculation.

Hair that grows around the sex organs. Pubic hair is a secondary sex characteristic that appears during puberty.

Tiny insects that can be sexually transmitted. They live in pubic hair and cause intense itching in the genitals.

Pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation in order to avoid pregnancy. Also called “withdrawal.”

The sound made when air is released from the vagina. Air is often pushed into the vagina during vaginal sex or penetration with tampons, fingers, or sex toys.

A word that can refer to a variety of sexual identities and gender identities that are anything other than straight and cisgender. In the past queer was used as a slur, and may still be offensive to some. However, many people use the word with pride to identify themselves.

Being unsure about your sexual orientation or gender identity.

The moment during pregnancy when a pregnant person first notices the fetus moving in their uterus.

(1) An individual's prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behavior toward people of a given race, or (2) institutional practices (even if not motivated by prejudice) that subordinate people of a given race.

(1) A motive to protect or restore one's sense of freedom. Reactance arises when someone threatens our freedom of action. (2) The desire to assert one's sense of freedom.

The theory that prejudice arises from competition between groups for scarce resources.

Information presented last sometimes has the most influence. Recency effects are less common than primacy effects.

An expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them.

A physical exam of the reproductive organs and the tissues that separate the vagina and rectum.

The lowest end of the intestine before the anus, where solid waste (feces) is stored.

The brief time after ejaculation during which getting another erection is impossible.

The perception that one is less well off than others to whom one compares oneself.

The tendency to presume, sometimes despite contrary odds, that someone or something belongs to a particular group if resembling (representing) a typical member.

Unique cells — egg and sperm — that can join to make reproduction possible.

The fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, vagina, penis, and testes. Organs that relate to reproduction.

The period after orgasm in which the body returns to a non-stimulated state.

When ejaculate goes into the bladder instead of out the urethra/penis.

The theory that we like those whose behavior is rewarding to us or whom we associate with rewarding events.

Also known as the calendar method; a fertility awareness-based method of birth control.

An expression that people who oppose safe and legal abortion use to describe their position.

The 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

A set of norms that define how people in a given social position ought to behave.

Acting out a sexual fantasy with a partner.

A desire for an intimate (but not necessarily sexual) connection with another person.

The consensual use of domination and/or pain for sexual stimulation in sex. The “sadist” dominates/inflicts pain. The “masochist” is submissive/receives pain.

The consensual use of domination and/or pain for sexual stimulation in sex. The “sadist” dominates/inflicts pain. The “masochist” is submissive/receives pain

A previously agreed upon word or phrase that means a partner is no longer enjoying an activity during and it must stop.

Ways in which people reduce the risk of getting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. A more precise term than “safe sex,” because no sex act is completely safe from the possibility of passing a sexually transmitted infection.

An absorbent reusable or disposable lining made of cotton or similar fibers that’s worn against the vulva to absorb menstrual flow.

An itchy skin condition caused by tiny parasites. It's passed through skin-to-skin contact, usually during sex. Scabies isn't dangerous and can be cured.

A sac of skin, divided into 2 parts, that holds the testicles.

The second 3 months of pregnancy.

Features of the body that are caused by hormones. They develop during puberty, or can be brought on by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). For people with vaginas, these include breast development and widened hips. For people with penises, they include facial hair development and voice(...)

The second stage of the infection, during which a rash and fever develop.

A self-conscious state in which attention focuses on oneself. It makes people more sensitive to their own attitudes and dispositions.

A person's answers to the question "Who am I?".

Revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others.

A sense that one is competent and effective, distinguished from self-esteem, one's sense of self-worth. A bombardier might feel high self-efficacy and low self-esteem.

Feeling worthwhile.

Protecting one's self-image with behaviors that create a handy excuse for later failure.

Being attuned to the way one presents oneself in social situations and adjusting one's performance to create the desired impression.

The theory that when we are unsure of our attitudes, we infer them much as would someone observing us, by looking at our behavior and the circumstances under which it occurs.

The act of expressing oneself and behaving in ways designed to create a favorable impression or an impression that corresponds to one's ideals.

The tendency to process efficiently and remember well information related to oneself.

Beliefs about self that organize and guide the processing of self-relevant information.

The tendency to perceive oneself favorably.

Fluid containing sperm that’s ejaculated from the penis during orgasm. Semen is composed of fluid from the seminal vesicles, fluid from the prostate, and sperm from the testes.

A liquid that nourishes and helps sperm to move. Made in the seminal vesicles.

One of 2 small organs located beneath the bladder and connected to the urethra that produce seminal fluid.

A network of tiny tubules in the testes that produce sperm and the androgens (a kind of hormone).

An abortion or miscarriage that leads to infection. Usually associated with illegal and unsafe abortion, aggressive medical treatment is often required to save the life of the patient.

A compulsion to have frequent sex that gets in the way of daily life, such as work, school, and spending time with family and friends.

The designation of biological sex — female, male, or intersex — usually made by a doctor at the birth of a child. The sex that appears on a person’s birth certificate.

A reproductive cell - egg or sperm.

Outdated and offensive term for “gender affirming surgery.”

The cell structures that carry hereditary information that typically differentiate female from male in humans and other mammals. XX chromosomes are typically associated with females. XY chromosomes are typically associated with males.

The urge and desire to have sex. Also called libido.

The temporary reddening or darkening of the skin that may happen from sexual arousal during the plateau stage of the sexual response cycle. It may occur on the belly, breasts/chest, face, hands, and soles of the feet.

The attempt to control the sex of your future children.

Treatment to resolve a sexual problem or dysfunction, such as premature ejaculation, inability to have orgasm, or a low level of sexual desire.

A person who’s paid for providing sex or sexually arousing activities, including phone or camera sex, erotic massage, lap dancing, or striptease.

Believing that sex and sexuality are bad or dangerous.

Accepting sex and sexuality as a natural, good part of life.

Systemic and individual discrimination against women.

The scientific study of sex and sexuality through many disciplines including, but not limited to, anthropology, biology, history, law, medicine, psychology, and sociology.

Fear of sex/sexuality.

Sending sexual text messages or images.

Sexual activity that’s harmful, exploitative, or not consensual.

Erotic excitement.

The use of force or coercion, physical or psychological, to make a person engage in sexual activity.

A psychological or physical disorder that affects sexual anatomy, behavior, health, or well-being.

Unwanted sexual advances from someone. Includes suggestive gestures, language, or touching.

Enjoying emotional, physical, and social well-being in regard to one’s sexuality, including free and responsible sexual expression that enriches one’s life. (Sexual health is not only the absence of sexual dysfunction or disease.)

Your understanding of your own sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual expression/preferences.

Usually, sex that includes penetration of the vagina with a penis. Can also describe penetration of the anus with a penis.

An individual or group whose gender identity, sexual behavior, sexual orientation, or sexual preference is thought to be outside socially accepted norms. Generally any group/identity that is outside of heterosexual, cisgender, or monogamous.

Social standards based on a society’s attitudes, customs, and expectations regarding sex and sexuality. In other words, things that are considered sexually “normal.”

Identities that describe what gender(s) a person is romantically and/or sexually attracted to. There are many sexual orientations. Some common sexual orientations include gay, lesbian, straight, and bisexual.

People, activities, or other things that you like, sexually.

A long researched and commonly used framework of human response to sexual stimulation, originally mapped by Masters & Johnson. The 5 stages of the cycle are desire, excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Used to describe 2 different historic shifts in the sexual attitudes and norms of people in the U.S. The first American sexual revolution occurred in the aftermath of World War I — “the roaring '20s.” It was characterized by younger women — “flappers” — openly insisting on the right to have(...)

Sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, and the way these things interact with emotional, physical, social, and spiritual life. Sexuality is shaped by your family and the social norms of your community.

Infections that are passed from one person to another during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or sexual skin-to-skin contact. More accurately called sexually transmitted infection.

Infections that are passed from one person to another during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or sexual skin-to-skin contact. Commonly known as sexually transmitted disease.

A structure of erectile tissue and nerves that’s shaped like a column and forms the body of the penis and clitoris.

A thin, square piece of latex that helps prevent STDs from being passed during oral sex on a vulva or anus.

Simultaneous, mutual oral sex.

2 glands on either side of the opening to the urethra that release fluid during female ejaculation. Also called paraurethral glands or female prostate glands.

An insulting term for a woman who has “too many” sex partners, though different people have different ideas about what is considered too many. Some people have reclaimed the term “slut” and use it to describe themselves as people who are proud of their sexual freedom.

A sticky, white, unpleasant-smelling substance produced under the foreskin at the glans of the penis and clitoris. It’s formed by dead skin cells, oils, and genital fluid secretions/sweat.

Evaluating one's abilities and opinions by comparing oneself to others.

The "we" aspect of our self-concept. The part of our answer to "Who am I?" that comes from our group memberships.

The theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded and punished.

The scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another.

Socially shared beliefs, and widely held ideas and values, including our assumptions and cultural ideologies. Our social representations help us make sense of our world.

An expectation that people will help those dependent upon them.

An outdated term for oral sex, anal sex, or other genital contact that isn’t vaginal sex.

An image produced by an ultrasound that shows the inside of the body. Used to view the fetus during pregnancy.

A plastic or metal instrument used to separate the walls of the vagina so a doctor or nurse can examine the vagina and cervix.

A reproductive cell that combines with an egg to cause a pregnancy. Made in the testes.

When sperm is first produced by the testes.

The process of producing sperm. Occurs in the testes.

Chemical birth control that immobilizes sperm to prevent pregnancy. Found on some condoms, and also in birth control sponges, foams, creams, films, suppositories, and gels.

Miscarriage, pregnancy loss.

The hardening of the penis without sexual stimulus. Common during puberty.

Light bleeding that happens not during a menstrual period.

A partner in marriage.

Ejaculation from people with vulvas, sometimes called “female ejaculation.” The fluid comes from the Skene’s glands, which are located in the vulva near the opening of the urethra. Squirting happens in about 1 out of 10 women.

Following or tracking someone in person or online without their consent.

A kind of fertility awareness-based method of birth control. The standard days method works by tracking fertility using a calendar, an app, or a string of beads called CycleBeads.

Legally, sexual contact between an adult and anyone who is below the age of consent, whether or not the contact is voluntary.

An infection that’s passed from one person to another during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or sexual skin-to-skin contact. More accurately called sexually transmitted infection.

A widely accepted judgment or bias regarding a person or group.

A disruptive concern, when facing a negative stereotype, that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype. Unlike self-fulfilling prophecies that hammer one's reputation into one's self-concept, stereotype threat situations have immediate effects.

Infertility — the inability to become pregnant or to cause a pregnancy.

Surgical methods of birth control that are intended to be permanent — blocking of the fallopian tubes for women or the vas deferens for men.

An Infection that’s passed from one person to another during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or sexual skin-to-skin contact. Commonly known as sexually transmitted disease.

Severe disapproval/judgment for a behavior that’s reinforced by society/culture.

Being attracted to people of the other gender. Heterosexual.

Forced sex by someone unknown to the victim. Extremely rare.

A dildo that can be attached to a person to use for vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Accommodating individuals who deviate from one's stereotype by splitting off a subgroup stereotype (such as "middle class Blacks" or "feminist women"). Subtyping protects stereotypes.

A shared goal that necessitates cooperative effort; a goal that overrides people's differences from one another.

When couples switch partners for sex.

A bacterial sexually transmitted infection that is easily cured with antibiotics, but can cause permanent damage if left untreated.

A behavior that’s outside the cultural norms. Something society or culture says you shouldn’t do or talk about.

A firm, disposable roll of absorbent cotton or other fiber that goes inside the vagina to absorb menstrual blood.

A fertility awareness-based method for predicting fertility. It involves charting when ovulation occurs by tracking basal body temperature changes every morning before getting out of bed. Can be used for birth control or for planning pregnancy.

The lifting of the uterus during sexual excitement, which creates more space in the vagina.

The third phase of the infection during which organ damage and failure occur.

Two ball-like glands inside the scrotum that produce hormones, including testosterone. Each testis also encloses several hundred small lobes, which contain the tiny, threadlike seminiferous tubules that produce sperm. Also called "testicles."

Two ball-like glands inside the scrotum that produce hormones, including testosterone. Each testicle also encloses several hundred small lobes, which contain the tiny, threadlike seminiferous tubules that produce sperm. Also called "testes."

An androgen hormone produced in the testes and in smaller amounts in the ovaries. Generally associated with masculine secondary sex characteristics. Can be taken synthetically as gender affirming treatment for trans men.

The time during puberty when breasts begin to develop.

Ending a pregnancy because of a fetal abnormality or to protect the pregnant person’s physical or mental health or life.

The last 3 months of pregnancy.

A condition in which a pregnant person bleeds, with or without mild cramps, but the cervix hasn’t begun to open. Half of threatened miscarriages end in pregnancy loss. In the other half, the bleeding stops, and the pregnancy goes on normally.

A yeast infection in the mouth or throat. Caused by an overgrowth of a yeast that lives naturally in the body, called candida albicans.

Fear of childbirth.

Surgical reconstruction to create a more female- or more male-appearing chest. Top surgery may involve breast reduction or breast implants.

A rare but very dangerous overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Symptoms include vomiting, high fever, diarrhea, and a sunburn-type rash. A possible result of leaving an object (including tampons and birth control sponges) in the vagina for too long.

Short for transgender. A general term used to describe someone whose gender expression/gender identity are different than the sex they were assigned at birth. Some people put an asterisk on the end of trans* to expand the word to include all people with non-conforming gender identities and(...)

A general term used to describe someone whose gender expression/gender identity are different than the sex they were assigned at birth.

A person whose sex assignment at birth was female but whose gender identity is male. Can also refer to someone who was surgically assigned female at birth, in the case of intersex people, but whose gender identity is male. Many trans men identify simply as men.

A person whose sex assignment at birth was male but whose gender identity is female. Can also refer to someone who was surgically assigned male at birth, in the case of intersex people, but whose gender identity is female. Many trans women identify simply as women.

The process of a person changing to present as the gender they identify as. Transitioning means different things to different people. It may involve any of the following: coming out to one’s family, changing the pronouns and words used to describe one’s gender, dressing differently, changing(...)

Fear and hatred of people who are, or are perceived to be, trans-identified or gender non-conforming.

An outdated and often offensive term for someone whose gender identity doesn’t match the sex assigned at birth, and who desire and/or seek to transition to bring their body into alignment with their gender identity. Some people find this term offensive, others do not. Only refer to someone as(...)

An outdated term for a cross-dresser. Considered offensive by many.

Sex that involves 2 people rubbing their vulvas/clitorises together.

One-third of the 9 months of pregnancy.

A type of birth control pill that has 3 different doses of estrogen and progestin during a 28-day cycle. Typically each week has a new dose for 3 weeks, followed by a week of placebo (no hormones).

A prenatal blood test that’s given at around 16 weeks of pregnancy to detect Down syndrome, brain and spine defects, and other conditions. (Further tests will be offered if this blood test reveals an increased risk of birth defects.) Also called “multiple marker screening.”

Surgical blocking of the fallopian tubes by tying them off. A form of sterilization - permanent birth control.

An ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube. Can be very dangerous, requiring medical treatment.

Surgical blocking of the fallopian tubes for permanent birth control.

The surgical removal of a fallopian tube.

Erection and enlargement of the sex organs, especially the clitoris and penis, during sexual arousal.

A rare intersex condition in which someone is born with one X chromosome (X_ instead of XX or XY). While most people with turner syndrome have a fully formed vulva, they typically have underdeveloped reproductive organs, leading to infertility.

A fertility-awareness based method of birth control in which a person observes whether or not they’ve secreted cervical mucus 2 days in a row.

An umbrella term for gender identities common in American Indian/First Nations/Native American cultures. Refers to people who have both masculine and feminine parts of their identity, and are treated as a third gender within those cultures.

The process by which media influence often occurs through opinion leaders, who in turn influence others.

The effectiveness of a particular birth control method in the population, taking into account when people don’t always use their method consistently or correctly. Since this looks at real world use, it’s a more accurate way to describe how many people get pregnant using a method.

The organs that secrete a fluid that combines with bacteria and body oils to form smegma. Several are located under the foreskin and clitoral hood. Others are located under the corona of the glans of the penis and on either side of the frenulum. Also called preputial glands.

A medical test that creates an image of internal organs by bouncing sound waves off the internal organs. Frequently used to find or monitor a pregnancy, but has a variety of medical uses.

When the foreskin hasn’t been removed from the penis.

A testicle that doesn’t hang away from the body but remains in the abdomen. In about 5 out of 100 assigned-male births, 1 or both of the testicles don’t descend.

The 2 tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

A tube that empties the bladder and carries urine to the urethral opening (the hole you pee out of). The urethra also carries ejaculate and pre-ejaculate in people with penises.

A bacterial infection of the bladder, the ureters, or the urethra. It is not sexually transmitted. The most common symptom is a frequent urge to pee and pain while peeing. Curable with antibiotics.

When a doctor or nurse accidentally punctures the wall of the uterus with a surgical instrument during a procedure or with an IUD during insertion.

The pear-shaped, reproductive organ from which people menstruate and where a pregnancy develops. Also called “womb.”

A bacterial infection of the bladder, the ureters, or the urethra. It is not sexually transmitted. The most common symptom is a frequent urge to pee and pain while peeing. Curable with antibiotics.

A surgical procedure in which a pregnancy is removed from the uterus with a gentle suction device.

The stretchy passage that connects the vulva with the cervix and uterus. It’s where menstrual comes out of the body, a baby comes out of the body through childbirth, and/or one place sexual penetration (by a penis, finger, sex toy, etc.) can happen. During menstruation, it’s where tampons or(...)

Thinning and irritation of the folds of the walls of the vagina. Caused by low estrogen production, which happens during perimenopause and menopause.

An over-the-counter, reversible barrier method of birth control. A thin, small, square sheet of spermicide that goes into the vagina, and melts into a thick liquid that blocks the entrance to the uterus. It stops sperm from moving and prevents it from joining with an egg. Most effective when(...)

A series of increasingly wider plastic cylinders that are used to enlarge the vagina or to treat vaginismus by helping to increase capacity for vaginal penetration.

When the vagina gets wetter and more slippery, which makes it easier for things to go inside it. This happens naturally with vaginal secretions, and can be done with synthetic lube. Sometimes happens during sexual arousal, but not always.

The climax or peak of sexual arousal that’s brought about by stimulating the vagina without stimulating the clitoris.

Sex in which a penis enters a vagina. Also called “vaginal intercourse” or “penis-in-vagina sex.”

Painful muscle spasms in the vagina as a response to pressure/contact. Sometimes has no known cause, and sometimes happens after psychological or physical trauma.

An irritation of the vagina or vulva.

The surgical creation of a vagina.

An enlargement of one or more of the veins in the scrotum. It can cause lower sperm motility and infertility, but doesn’t always. Sometimes treatment is needed, and sometimes it doesn’t cause any symptoms or problems so treatment is not needed.

A long, narrow tube that carries sperm from each epididymis to the seminal vesicles during ejaculation. This is the tube that’s cut for a vasectomy, stopping sperm from leaving the body.

Surgical blocking of the vasa deferentia (each vas deferens) for permanent birth control.

An increase in the amount of blood, which leads to swelling, in certain body tissues (breasts, clitoris, inner labia, nipples, penis) that happens during sexual arousal. Also causes lubrication of the vagina.

The ability of a fetus to survive outside the uterus.

An electrically powered sex toy that applies vibrations to parts of the body for sexual pleasure.

Having never had sex. May mean different things to different people. For example, many people think you “lose your virginity” when you have vaginal sex. Others think that you lose your virginity if you have other kinds of sexual activity, like oral sex or anal sex.

Surgery to change the pitch of a person’s voice, often to create a more feminine sounding voice for trans women.

Sexual practice that involves watching another person undress or engage in sexual behavior.

The external sex organs that include the clitoris, labia (majora and minora), opening to the vagina (introitus), opening to the urethra, and two Bartholin’s glands.

Erotic dreams that can lead to ejaculation or vaginal lubrication. Common during puberty. See "nocturnal emission."

Pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation in order to avoid pregnancy. Also called “pulling out” or the “pull-out method.”

A gender-neutral pronoun (or set of pronouns) some people use for themselves to replace “he,” “she,” or “they.”

The pair of sex-differentiating chromosomes that leads to someone being born with a vagina, vulva, uterus, and ovaries. Babies with xx chromosomes are usually assigned female at birth.

The pair of sex-differentiating chromosomes that leads to someone being born with a penis and scrotum. Babies with xy chromosomes are usually assigned male at birth.

A type of vaginitis caused by an overgrowth of a yeast that naturally lives in the vagina/on the body, called candida albicans. Yeast infections may also occur in the penis or mouth. A yeast infection in the mouth or throat is called “thrush.”

A gender-neutral pronoun (or set of pronouns) some people use for themselves to replace “he,” “she,” or “they.”

The single-celled organism that results from the joining of the egg and sperm (fertilization).