AWAIT & FIND

GLOSSARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abortion A surgical or other medical means to end a pregnancy before a live birth occurs.

Abstinence Voluntarily choosing not to do something.

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a clinical condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV attacks and destroys the cells of the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to many diseases.

Antibiotic A prescription medication used to kill bacteria and some other germs (but not viruses).

Anus The opening by which solid waste (fecal matter) leaves the human body.

Asymptomatic A disease that shows no noticeable symptoms.

Bacteria Microscopic germs that cause disease

Birth control pill Hormonal pill taken daily to prevent pregnancy

Blood Alcohol Level The amount of alcohol measured in your blood stream.

Cervical Relating to the cervix

Cervix The lower portion of a female's uterus that opens into the vagina. The cervix is rounded, cone-shaped and about one inch in width.

Chlamydia A sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria.

Clitoris A concentration of nerve endings located at the front of the vulva above the vaginal opening.

Coitus interruptus Refers to withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation

Conception The moment a male sperm cell and a female egg cell join to cause a pregnancy, also called fertilization.

Condom A thin, latex sheath that covers the penis

Contraceptives Methods, devices, drugs, or chemicals used to prevent pregnancy

Contraceptive sponge A foam sponge containing spermicide placed inside the vagina to prevent pregnancy

Diaphragm A round rubber dome inserted inside the vagina to cover the cervix

Ectopic pregnancy Occurs when an embryo begins developing outside of the uterus, most often inside the fallopian tube. Also called a tubal pregnancy, it is most often caused by Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

Egg The cell that is released from a female's ovary, usually every month after puberty begins. If it is fertilized by a sperm cell, pregnancy will result.

Ejaculation The release of semen from the penis

Embryo An organism in the earliest stage of development. A human is considered to be an embryo from conception through the eighth week of gestation during pregnancy.

Emergency contraception An "emergency" dose of birth control pills taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. Hormones prevent the sperm from meeting the egg or prevent the egg from attaching to the uterus. Also known as the morning-after pill.

Endometrium The lining of the uterus

Erection Stiffening and enlargement of the penis generally caused by sexual stimulation

Estrogen The primary female sex hormone

Fallopian Tubes Two tubes attached on either side of the uterus through which the ripened egg travels toward the uterus.

Female condom A polyurethane sheath or pouch that lines the vagina

Fertilization The union of a male sperm cell and female egg cell; also called conception.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) A pattern of birth defects occurring as a result of excessive alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy

Fetus State of development from the eighth week of pregnancy through birth

Foreskin A fold of skin that protects the glans (head) of the penis

Genitals Reproductive organs located on the outside of the body

Gonorrhea A sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria

Hepatitis An infection of the liver caused by a virus.

Hepatitis A is spread through the fecal-oral route.

Hepatitis B is primarily sexually transmitted.

Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood; primarily transmitted through the sharing of needles and drug paraphernalia.

Herpes A virus that is spread through sexual contact

Hormonal Relating to hormones

Hormone Chemical messengers that cause changes to occur in the body

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the immune system and causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

Human papillomavirus (HPV) A sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus

Hymen A fold of flexible membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening

Immunity Resistance to or protection against a specified disease; power to resist infection due to antibody formation

Immunization A vaccination or inoculation that provides immunity

Implantation The process during which a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus.

Implants [contraceptive] Small capsules inserted into the arm that release hormones to prevent pregnancy (e.g. Norplant)

Incurable Not curable; that cannot be remedied or corrected

Infertility Inability or reduced ability to become pregnant or produce children

Injection [contraceptive] An injection of a hormone that prevents pregnancy (e.g. Depro provera)

Inoculation The injection of a disease agent to cause a mild form of the disease and build up immunity to it

Intrauterine device (IUD) A T-shaped plastic device containing copper or hormones that is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy

Masturbation Self-stimulation of the genitals that may lead to orgasm

Menstrual cramps During menstruation the muscles of the uterus contract in order to help the body shed the endometrium. These muscle contractions or cramps can cause discomfort for some females.

Menstrual fluid Before a period begins, the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is thick with blood, mucus, and other fluids. During a period, this thick, spongy lining breaks down and passes through the cervix into the vagina, where it leaves the body. Usually, as it flows through this opening, it breaks up and becomes fluid.

Menstruation The monthly discharge of blood and cells from the lining of the uterus

Miscarriage The natural expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus before it is sufficiently developed. Also called a spontaneous abortion.

Morning-after pill See emergency contraception

Natural family planning Avoiding sexual intercourse near ovulation, when pregnancy is most likely

Nocturnal emission Also called a "wet dream," this is a release of semen during sleep, a common occurrence for males during puberty

Oral contraceptives Also known as birth control pills

Oral sex Sexual activity involving stimulation of the genitals with the mouth

Orgasm An intense feeling of pleasure that is the result of sexual activity, though not necessarily intercourse

Outercourse Genital contact-either oral, anal, or vaginal without penetration

Ovulation The periodic release of the mature egg from an ovary

Parasite An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host

Peers People who are similar in age or status

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) An infection of the female reproductive system that may cause infertility. PID is usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease. Symptoms include cramping, tenderness, or pain in the pelvic area.

Penis The external male organ through which semen and urine leave the body

Period Another term for menstruation

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) A group of symptoms some females experience before menstruation begins each month. Symptoms can be physical and emotional and vary from person-to-person and month-to-month.

Prostate gland A gland near the male bladder and urethra, which secretes a thin fluid that is part of semen

Puberty The body's transition from childhood to adulthood during which time males and females become capable of reproduction

Pubic area The external area around the genitals

Rape A type of sexual abuse that occurs when a person is forced to have sexual intercourse

Reproduction To reproduce means to "make over." In reference to human sexuality, it means to produce a child.

Scabies A contagious skin disease caused by a parasite and characterized by intense itching.

Scrotum The pouch of skin behind the penis that holds the testicles

Scrotal skin Skin related to the scrotum

Secondary virginity The decision to abstain from further sexual involvement until marriage

Semen Liquid released from the penis during ejaculation. It contains millions of sperm cells.

Seminal vesicle One of two glands located behind the male bladder, which secretes a fluid that forms part of semen

Sexual abuse Any unwanted or forced sexual activity including unwanted touching or fondling, being forced to look at or touch another person's genitals, or unwanted or forced sexual intercourse

Sexual intercourse The erect penis of the male entering the vagina of the female

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) A disease passed from one person to another during sexual contact. The contact does not necessarily have to be intercourse. Over 30 primary STDs have been identified, and many are incurable.

Sperm The male's cell that joins with the female's egg to cause pregnancy. Millions of sperm cells are produced daily after puberty begins.

Spermicide A substance containing chemicals that kill sperm

Sterilization The act of making a male or female infertile (unable to reproduce)

Syphilis A sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria

Testes/Testicles Glands that produce sperm, the male reproductive cells and the hormone testosterone

Testosterone A male steroid hormone produced primarily in the testes and responsible for the development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics

Urethra Carries urine from the bladder to the urinary opening. In males, the urethra is also the passageway for semen.

Urine The waste product secreted by the kidneys that is released from the body through the urethra

Uterus A muscular, pear-shaped organ of the female reproductive system, located in the lower abdomen just above the pubic bone. It contains and nourishes the developing child from the time the fertilized egg is implanted to the time of birth. It is also called a "womb."

Vaccinate To inoculate with a specific vaccine in order to prevent disease

Vaccination The act or practice of vaccinating

Vagina The passageway from the uterus to the outside of the body through which the menstrual flow leave the body. The opening to the vagina may be partially covered by a flexible fold of tissue called the hymen.

Vas deferens Narrow tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the seminal vesicle

Virgin A male or female who has never had sexual intercourse

Virus Small, non-bacterial germs that can cause disease

Vulva The folds of skin and flesh outside the body surrounding the vaginal opening

Wet dream This is a release of semen during sleep, a common occurrence for males during puberty.

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