 Did you KNOW?As many as half of all new HIV infections are estimated to be among young people under the age of 25, and as many as one quarter amont youth under the age of 22. (Kaiser Family Foundation, Sexually Transmitted Disease in the United States, Fact Sheet) |
 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. BACK TO THE TOP 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. BACK TO THE TOP 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. 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 BACK TO THE TOP Diaphragm: A round rubber dome inserted inside the vagina to cover the cervix BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP Genitals: Reproductive organs located on the outside of the body Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP 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. BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP 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. BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP 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." BACK TO THE TOP 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 BACK TO THE TOP Wet dream: This is a release of semen during sleep, a common occurrence for males during puberty. BACK TO THE TOP |