Sexual health glossary: A-D
Sexual health glossary: E-I
Sexual health glossary: J-Q
Sexual health glossary: R-ZLabia: The inner and outer folds of flesh that cover a female's vagina. Sometimes called the "lips" between a female's legs. The outer pair is larger and hair grows on them, while the inner pair is smaller and made of a mucous membrane. These folds of skin help cover and protect the vagina and the urethra.
Lambskin condom: A type of natural membrane condom. These condoms are not recommended for preventing the spread of STIs. Natural membrane condoms have holes called pores in them that are too small to see but are large enough for germs to get through.
Latex: A thin type of rubber. Dental dams and most types of condoms are made of latex. If used correctly and consistently, condoms that are made of latex can prevent pregnancy as well as STIs.
Lesbian: A female who is homosexual (sexually attracted to other women).
Lubricant: A wet and slippery product used during sexual intercourse. Lubricants can be used with condoms, or inside a woman's vagina or a person's anus to make it slippery. This can keep a condom from getting dry and breaking during vaginal or anal sex. There are two kinds of lubricants: water-based and oil-based. A water-based lubricant is best to use with latex condoms because it doesn't make holes in the condom.
Lymph nodes: Round little bumps found under the skin, part of the immune system. Lymph nodes are found in the neck, armpits and groin. They clean the blood by catching and stopping germs and dead cells. One way doctors and nurses sometimes check for an infection is to feel a person's lymph nodes. If the nodes are swollen, then it means the person's immune system is working to kill whatever is infecting the body.
Masturbation: Touching a person's sex organs for pleasure. This could be a male rubbing his penis or a female rubbing her clitoris because it feels good. People can do it alone or with another person. Masturbation is not harmful. It does not cause acne or blindness, make people crazy or cause any other awful things to happen. Most people masturbate at some point in their lives.
Menstruation: The periodic discharge of bloody fluid from the uterus occurring at more or less regular intervals during the life of a woman from age of puberty to menopause. Also called a period. During pregnancy, a woman will not menstruate. A missed period is often the first symptom of pregnancy a woman will notice. If a female is sexually active and misses a regualr period, she may be pregnant.
Monogamy: Choosing to have sex with only one other person. One way to prevent STIs is to have a mutually monogamous relationship (where both partners agree only to have sex with each other) where both partners have tested negative for STIs.
Mucous membrane: The soft, pink tissue that lines all of the natural openings in the body. The mouth, eyes, nose, throat, vagina, anus and the hole in the penis (the urethra) have these linings. Mucous membranes have small holes in them. If a virus or bacteria that can cause an STI gets on a mucous membrane, then that virus or bacteria can go inside someone's body.
Natural membrane condom: A condom made from the skins or parts of animals. Natural membrane condoms can help prevent pregnancy, but not STIs. This is because natural membrane condoms have microscopic holes called pores in them. Germs that cause STIs can go through these holes and then inside the body of other people during sex.
Oil-based lubricant: A lubricant made from something that has oil in it, like Vaseline®, mineral oil and lotions. The oil in oil-based lubricants can eat holes in a latex condom, allowing germs that cause STIs, including HIV, to go through it. To prevent STIs, only use water-based lubricants with latex condoms.
Oral sex: When a person kisses, licks, or sucks another person's genitals to make them feel good. People can get STIs this way if blood or sexual fluids got inside someone's mouth, or if there is contact with a sore from an infection such as herpes or syphilis. Also, STIs can be transmitted if infected blood from someone's mouth get inside another person's penis, anus, clitoris or vulva. Barriers and latex condoms can be effective in stopping someone from getting infected.
Orgasm: A strong, intense, good feeling that happens in someone's genitals during sex. When a male has an orgasm, he usually ejaculates. For a female, it typically involves spasms that can last for a few seconds or a minute or longer. Someone can have an orgasm just by thinking about sex, while masturbating, or when having sex with another person. Orgasms don't always happen every time someone has sex. Females can get pregnant even if they do not have an orgasm.
Ovaries: The part of a female's reproductive organs that store eggs. After puberty, the ovaries push one egg out each month. Ovaries also make hormones that help the menstrual cycle work. Most females have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus at the ends of the fallopian tubes.
Ovulation: When an egg is pushed out of the ovary. After ovulation, the egg moves down one of the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. This usually happens about 14 days after a female has her period.
Pap test: An exam of a female's cervix. During a Pap test, a healthcare provider scrapes cells from the cervix and then looks at them under a microscope. Cells that look abnormal could be a warning of a cervical infection or cervical cancer, but not always. According to the American Cancer Society, a girl should get her first Pap test by age 21, or within three years of having sex - which ever happens first.
Penis: The male sex organ outside the body between the legs. It is made of soft spongy tissue and blood vessels. The tip of the penis is very sensitive and gives the male pleasure when it is touched.
Period: The time at the end of a female's menstrual cycle when blood comes out of the vagina. This is the blood that would have lined the uterus for a fetus to use to grow if an egg had been fertilized by a sperm. When this doesn't happen the blood lining the uterus isn't needed and it is released from the body. A period typically lasts between 3-7 days. It is possible for a female to get pregnant while having a period, and a girl could get pregnant even before she has her first period.
Plastic wrap: Household plastic wrap can be used as a barrier during oral sex. A piece large enough to cover the vulva, vagina, anus or clitoris can be used as barrier. Plastic wrap does not work as an effective barrier on the penis and should not be used instead of a latex condom.
PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome): Physical pain or emotional difficulties that a woman might have up to two weeks before she has a period. This could be things like cramps, sore breasts, bloating or holding extra water inside the body, or headaches. Sometimes people feel sad, angry or depressed. Not every girl or woman has PMS.
Polyurethane condom: A condom made out of a plastic called polyurethane. Polyurethane condoms are an alternative for people who are allergic to latex.
Pre-seminal fluid: Fluid released from a man's penis before he ejaculates. Most men do not know this happens because they cannot feel it coming out. Pre-seminal fluid can get a woman pregnant and can also transmit STIs. Also called pre-cum.
Pubic area: The area between the legs in both males and females where the genitals are located. After puberty, this area is covered with pubic hair.
Pulling out: When a man removes his penis from another person's vagina, anus or mouth before he ejaculates. Also called withdrawal. It does not keep a person from spreading an STI, and it will not keep a woman from getting pregnant.
