Asymptomatic - when there are no symptoms at all.
Cervix - part of the female body that is the lower part of the uterus and it has an opening that connects the uterus to the vagina. Sperm, blood, bacteria, and a baby can pass through the cervix.
Cesarean section - childbirth when a doctor removes the baby from the mother surgically by cutting an opening in the woman’s abdomen. Also called a C-section.
Confidential - an agreement that any personal or health information talked about between a doctor and a patient will be kept private. The only exceptions to this rule is if a patient is planning to hurt themselves or someone else.
Dental Dam - a square or rectangular piece of thin latex used to prevent the transfer of bodily fluids during oral sex (mouth on vulva or anus).
Diagnose - when a doctor or nurse identifies an infection or disease a person has by a medical examination or test.
Dildo - a penis shaped sex toy used for vaginal or anal sex.
Ectopic pregnancy - a rare complication during pregnancy when a fertilized egg grows in another area besides the uterus. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes but can also occur in the cervix, ovaries and abdomen.
Emergency contraception - Sometimes called the morning-after pill, emergency contraception (EC) can be taken after unprotected vaginal sex or when a birth control method fails, in order to prevent pregnancy. It is most effective if taken within 72 hours (3 days) but can be effective if taken within 120 hours (5 days). Click here for more info on EC (link to Debunking Emergency Contraception piece).
Fallopian Tubes - part of the female body; are two narrow tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. Once a teen has gone through puberty, a female’s ovaries release an egg about every month and it travels to the fallopian tubes before it moves to the uterus. Sperm travels up the uterus to the fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg.
Gardisil - a vaccine that protects females against four specific types of the human papillomavirus (HPV): two of the major types that can lead to cervical cancer and two of the types that can cause genital warts. The vaccine comes in 3 doses that you receive within a 6 month period.
Genital area - includes the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, anus, buttocks, and inner thighs.
Gynecologist (GYN) - a doctor who is strictly dedicated to taking care of the breast, pelvic and vaginal area of women. It is recommended for females who have had sex (oral, vaginal or anal) or are 21 years or older to have a GYN exam every year.
Immune system - a system in the body that keeps us healthy and fights off disease and infection.
Infertility - when a female may not be able to get pregnant and a male may not be able to get a female pregnant because of a number of reasons.
Menstruation/Period - the flow of blood, fluid and tissue from a female’s uterus out of her vagina. It usually lasts between 3 and 7 days and happens around once a month.
Morning-after pill - Also known as emergency contraception (EC). It can be taken after unprotected vaginal sex or when a birth control method fails, in order to prevent pregnancy. It is most effective if taken within 72 hours (3 days) but can be effective if taken within 120 hours (5 days). Click here for more info on EC (link to Debunking Emergency Contraception piece).
Outbreak - when multiple sores or warts appear on the genital area which includes the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, anus, buttocks, or inner thighs.
Ovaries - pair of female reproductive organs which store eggs. When a female goes through puberty, about every month usually one of the ovaries releases an egg.
Pap test - a test that a GYN doctor does by collecting cells from the cervix. These cells will be sent to a lab for testing to check for anything abnormal. Click here for more info on getting a Pap test (link to A visit to the GYN story).
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - is an infection of the female reproductive organs. This infection can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy. People most often get PID if they have had certain untreated STIs for a long period of time.
Polyurethane condoms - condoms that are made from a type of flexible plastic. Polyurethane male condoms and female condoms (which are only polyurethane) are available in clinics and drugstores and are more expensive than latex condoms. However, they are a good alternative for people who are allergic to latex.
Pre-cum - Also known as pre-ejaculate or pre-seminal fluid; it is a clear fluid that comes out the penis during sexual excitement, before ejaculation. As is travels out of the penis, it can pick up some left over sperm along the way, which could possibly lead to pregnancy.
Pulling out - Is also sometimes called the withdrawal method, and is when a male removes his penis from a female’s vagina before ejaculation as a way to prevent pregnancy. However, many teens are not able to pull out in time every time and even if they do pre-cum can have sperm in it and gets released before ejaculation, which can lead to pregnancy.
Semen - Fluid containing sperm that is ejaculated from a male’s penis during sexual excitement. In addition to sperm which come from the testes, semen also has fluid from the prostate gland and the seminal vesicle.
Oral sex - sexual contact between the mouth and the genital area (including vagina, vulva, penis, anus, buttocks, or inner thighs).
Vaginal sex - sexual contact in which a female’s vagina is penetrated or stimulated.
Anal sex - sex contact in which a person’s anus is penetrated or stimulated.
Sexual Contact - either genital-to-genital or mouth-to-genital contact with a partner. This includes oral, vaginal, and anal sex as well as other sexual behavior.
Sexual skin-to-skin contact - skin-to-skin contact in the genital area which includes vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, anus, buttocks, or inner thighs. It also includes contact of the mouth with any part of the genital area without a barrier (male condom, female condom, or dental dam).
Sperm - mature male sex cell that looks like a tadpole. Sperm is in semen which is released when a male is sexually excited and ejaculates. Sperm can also be in pre-cum which is released when a male is sexuality excited but before he ejaculates.
Unprotected sex - oral, vaginal or anal sex without a condom (male or female) or dental dam, resulting in a potential risk of STIs, HIV or pregnancy.
Uterus - female organ where an embryo normally grows during pregnancy into a fetus, and where the blood comes from during a female’s period.
Vaccine - a shot that offers protection against a disease or infection. For example when you are a baby you get a vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) so you will be protected from getting those diseases.
Vulva - external female genitals including the labia (sometimes called lips), clitoris and the vaginal opening.
Womb - Is also known as the uterus, it is the place where the fetus grows during pregnancy.