A-B | C | E-F | G-H | I-L | M | O | P | R | S | T | U | V-W
Abortion
When a pregnancy is ended with medicine or removed from the body with a surgery.
AIDS
Sickness that can happen if HIV disease (HIV infection) gets worse and worse.
Anus
The small opening in the rectum where feces (poop) come out.
Birth Control
Ways to prevent pregnancy, such as condoms or birth control pills.
Bladder
The organ inside the body that holds urine (pee).
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Cervix
The opening to the uterus at the back of the vagina. The only thing that can get past the cervix is menstrual (period) blood, fluid from the vagina, semen, and, during childbirth, a baby.
Clinician
Someone who works in a health clinic, such as a doctor’s assistant or nurse.
Clitoris
A small organ at the top of the vulva that can feel tingly feelings. The part of the clitoris we can see outside the body is the size of a pea. It contains most of the nerve endings that respond to sexual touching.
Communication
Talking with people about your ideas, thoughts, and feelings. This includes asking questions.
Condom
A type of protection that people use to help prevent pregnancies or STIs when they have sex. One type is sort of like a glove that fits on the penis. Another kind covers the inside of the vagina or anus. A condom helps prevent people from sharing infections and can help keep sperm from getting to an egg.
Contraception
Ways to prevent pregnancy, such as condoms or birth control pills. Usually called birth control.
Cowper’s Gland
A small gland that makes clear fluid. This fluid cleans out the urethra before semen is ejaculated and shows up as a few drops on the tip of the penis.
Eggs
Tiny cells in a female’s ovaries that are needed to start a pregnancy. Ovaries are inside the body, one on each side of the uterus. Females are born with all the eggs they will ever have—about 1 million.
Ejaculation
When semen (containing sperm) spurts out of the tip of a penis. This can also be when fluid is released from the vulva (although there’s no sperm in this fluid).
Epididymis
Tiny tubes on the top of the testes where sperm are stored.
Erection
When a penis or clitoris fills with blood, becoming stiff or erect for a while. In a male, this is sometimes called a “hard-on” or “boner.”
Estrogen
The hormone (chemical) in a female’s body that tells eggs to mature (grow up) at puberty.
Fallopian Tubes
Two thin tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Eggs might meet sperm in the Fallopian tubes (fertilization).
Fertilization
When the egg meets the sperm. Then it’s called a fertilized egg.
Fertilized Egg
An egg that has met with a sperm. The fertilized egg then starts growing and travels back down into the uterus. If it plants itself in the lining of the uterus, it can develop into a pregnancy.
Fetus
The name for a fertilized egg about 7 weeks after it has planted itself in the lining of the uterus. The fetus can develop into a pregnancy.
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Gay
When someone is attracted to the same gender or sex as themselves. This is also called homosexual.
Gender
A way to label people, or put them in categories, as male or female. We also use the terms intersex and transgender. Sometimes gender labels have to do with the genitals people have between their legs, but they can be about more. Gender is also about roles. That means how a person is expected to behave, act, dress, and be treated. Different people around the world have different ideas about gender and gender roles. Everyone has the choice to accept those roles or not for themselves.
Gender Identity
How a person feels about her or his gender.
Genitals
The sex organs on the outside of a person’s body. These parts between our legs are sometimes called “private parts.”
HIV
A virus that weakens the body's ability to fight disease and can cause AIDS. People can be born with HIV, transmit it during sex, or get the virus by sharing injection needles.
Homosexual
When someone is attracted to the same gender or sex as themselves. This is also called being gay.
Hormones
Chemicals that are responsible for the changes in our bodies during puberty. The male hormone is testosterone. The female hormones are progesterone and estrogen.
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Inner Labia
A second set of lips that protect the opening to the vagina. The outer labia close over these inner folds of skin. The inner labia can be smaller or longer than the outer labia.
Intersex
When a person’s genitals or reproductive organs look in between a male and female, or have similar parts of both at the same time.
Lesbian
A female attracted to other females.
LGBT
An abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender/Transsexual people.
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Masturbation
Touching or rubbing your genitals (or private parts) to feel good. This is normal, although not everyone chooses to do it.
Menstrual Flow
Blood, fluid, and tissue from the uterus that dribbles out of the vagina during a menstrual period. This is the body’s way to clean out the lining of the uterus if there’s no pregnancy. The amount of fluid and tissue that comes out is different for all females. Some have more (heavier flow), while others have less (lighter flow).
Menstrual Period
When blood, fluid, and tissue are pushed out of the uterus and dribble out of the vagina about once a month after puberty. This is the body’s way to clean out the lining of the uterus if there’s no pregnancy.
Menstruation
When blood, fluid, and tissue are pushed out of the uterus and dribble out of the vagina about once a month after puberty. This is the body’s way to clean out the lining of the uterus if there’s no pregnancy. Menstruation (having a period) begins during puberty. Most women stop menstruating between 45 and 55 years old.
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Oral Sex
Touching a mouth to the genitals, like the penis or vulva.
Orgasm
A very intense pleasurable “tingly” feeling that can be felt in the genitals or all over the body. This can happen during sexual touching or sexual intercourse. It’s sometimes called “coming.” During an orgasm, semen may spurt out of a male’s penis (ejaculation), or a female may feel strong feelings around her vulva and more vaginal fluid many come out.
Outer Labia
The outer folds of skin at the opening to the vagina. This is one of the two sets of lips that protect a female’s genitals. It’s the pair on the outside.
Ovaries
Two reproductive organs—about the size of almonds—that produce hormones and contain all the female eggs. Ovaries are inside, one on each side of the uterus. Females are born with all the eggs they will ever have—about 1 million.
Ovulation
When eggs are released from the ovaries.
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Pad
A cotton product that a female can wear inside her underwear when she is menstruating (having her period). The pad absorbs period blood as it dribbles out of her body. Pads come in different sizes. They should be changed every 3 or 4 hours so they don’t get too full—and so you stay fresh.
Peer
Someone in your own age group.
Peer Pressure
When someone your own age tries to convince you to do something. It can be to do something good, or something not so good.
Penis
The part of the male’s genitals (private parts) hanging between the legs through which urine (pee) and semen leave the body. It can become stiff and stick out from the body during an erection.
Period
When blood, fluid, and tissue are pushed out of a female’s uterus and dribble out of the vagina about once a month after puberty. This is the body’s way to wash out the lining of the uterus if there’s no pregnancy. It’s also called a menstrual period.
Pregnancy
This can begin after a fertilized egg travels into the uterus, starts growing, and plants itself in the lining of the uterus. If this happens, the fertilized egg can become a fetus and grow and develop into a baby.
Prenatal Care
Health care for a pregnant female and the pregnancy growing inside her before childbirth.
Pro-choice
The belief that every female has the right to make her own decisions about her reproduction.
Progesterone
A female hormone (chemical) made by the ovaries that helps create a lining in the uterus every month.
Prostate Gland
An inside organ near a male’s bladder. It makes fluids that mix with sperm to form semen.
Puberty
The time when children start growing up and having more adult bodies and feelings. After the changes of puberty, a person can start a pregnancy.
Pubic Hair
Hair that appears in the genital area—the place between the legs—during puberty. It can be thicker and curlier than other hair on the body.
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Rape
When someone is forced by violence, pressure, or threats into having sexual intercourse. This is against the law and a serious crime.
Reproduction
Making more. In this case, we mean the body’s ability to make more people, or babies.
Reproductive Organs
The parts of our bodies (sometimes called sex organs) that make it possible to reproduce, or make babies. Some are on the outside of the body, between the legs. Some are inside, below the belly button. The vagina, ovaries, penis, and testes are all reproductive organs.
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Sanitary Napkin
A cotton product that a female can wear inside her underwear when she is menstruating (having her period). The pad absorbs period blood as it dribbles out of her body. Pads come in different sizes. They should be changed every 3 or 4 hours so they don’t get too full—and so you stay fresh.
Semen
A sticky, whitish mix of sperm and other fluids that the male body makes. This mix goes to and through the urethra—and out the tip of the penis. Semen spurts out of the penis when a male has an erection and ejaculates.
Sex
When we talk about a person’s sex, we’re describing whether that person is male or female or intersex. Sex is also a name for many sexual activities two people might do together. Usually it involves the genitals, or private parts.
Sex Organs
The parts of our bodies (sometimes called reproductive organs) that make it possible to reproduce, or make babies. Some are on the outside of the body, between the legs. Some are inside, below the belly button. The vagina, ovaries, penis, and testes are all sex organs.
Sexual Harassment
When someone uses unwanted sexual words, gestures, or touches to bully, insult, or embarrass someone else. This is disrespectful and never OK. It can also be against the law.
Sexual Health Status
The facts about the health of your sex organs today, including infections and pregnancy.
Sexual History
Your sexual activity in the past.
Sexual Intercourse
When a penis goes into a vagina or when two people touch their genitals together or put a mouth to another’s genitals because it feels good or they want to reproduce.
Sexuality
A word that includes sex, but is way more. It’s a big word for many parts of a person’s life: whether they are a boy or girl, who they are attracted to, if they act or dress like a boy or girl, if they feel sexy, how they feel about their body, and many, many other things.
Sperm
Tiny reproductive cells made in a male’s testes. Sperm cells travel out of the male body through the penis in a fluid called semen. If a sperm cell meets up with a female’s egg, they can fertilize and start a pregnancy.
STI
A sexually transmitted infection. This is a type of infection (like a cold or ear infection) that affects the genitals or more of the body. It usually goes from one person to another through sexual activity, but can be shared in other ways. Some STIs are easy to get rid of as long as someone goes to a clinic and gets care. Others can stay with people their whole lives or even shorten their lives (like HIV or AIDS).
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Tampon
A small tube of cotton that a female can put inside her vagina during her period. It absorbs the blood before it leaves the body. Tampons come in different sizes. They should be changed every 3 or 4 hours so they don’t get too full—and so you stay fresh.
Testes
Two soft sex organs hanging between a male’s legs and covered by the scrotum, a sac of wrinkly skin. They are sometimes called “nuts” or “balls.” They are the size of marbles before puberty and gradually grow to the size of a walnut or egg. Testes begin to make sperm at puberty.
Testicles
Another word for testes.
Testosterone
A male hormone (chemical) made by the testes during puberty that starts many body changes. Testosterone tells the testes to start to make sperm.
Transgender
A person who feels inside that they don’t fit the male or female label that society gives them. They may also feel different on the inside than what their body parts look like on the outside. Transgender people often choose to live the role of the opposite gender.
Trusted Adult
A grown-up you trust. Trusted adults often have the accurate information you need. That’s why it’s important to talk with them about puberty, sex, and your difficult questions—instead of someone your own age.
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Unintended Pregnancy
Sometimes people have sex, or are forced to have sex, and they didn’t want or mean to cause a pregnancy. Maybe they don’t want to be parents or aren’t ready. If they become pregnant, this is called an unintended pregnancy.
Urethra
A tube through which urine (pee) leaves the body. Only urine comes out the small opening to a female urethra. Both semen and urine can come out a male urethra through the opening at the tip of the penis. Urine cannot leave at the same time as semen.
Uterus
A hollow, muscular organ inside a female, about the size of a small fist. This is where the menstrual (period) blood comes from, and where a fertilized egg can develop into a fetus.
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Vagina
The passageway that leads from the uterus to the outside of a female’s body. It’s about 3 to 5 inches long. A baby is born through this passageway.
Vaginal Fluid
Clear, white, or yellowish fluid that comes out of a female’s vagina. This may be more noticeable after puberty starts. More of this fluid can come out of a female’s vagina when she has an orgasm.
Vaginal Intercourse
When a body part or penis is inserted into a partner’s vagina.
Vaginal Opening
The opening in the female’s vulva that leads to the vagina. This is where a baby would come out in childbirth.
Vas Deferens
Two long tubes that connect the epididymis and the urethra in males. Sperm start in the testes, grow up in the epididymis, and go through the vas deferens to the urethra.
Vulva
The folds of skin, sensitive tissue, and openings between a female’s legs. The vulva includes many parts like the clitoris, the vaginal opening, the opening to the urethra, and the outer labia and inner labia.
Wet Dream
When a male’s penis becomes erect in his sleep, and he has an ejaculation. This is normal.
