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
A
| AIDS | Stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is the late stage of HIV and happens when your immune system has been weakened by HIV. |
| Anal sex | Involves inserting a penis, fingers or sex toy into the anus. It can also involve touching or licking the anus. |
| Abortion | The medical procedure to end a pregnancy. Abortion is legal in the UK up to 24 weeks, but in Highland is only carried out up to 18 weeks into the pregnancy. |
| Adoption | The transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from the birth parents (the person who gives birth and their partner), to an adoptive parent. |
| Age of consent | The age at which you can legally have sex. |
| Aromantic | A person who experiences little or no romantic attraction. Someone who is aromatic may still experience sexual attraction. |
| Asexual | Also known as ‘Ace.’ Describes someone who feels little to no sexual attraction. Someone who is asexual still may experience romantic attraction. |
| Ally | Someone who supports the LGBTQ+ community. |
B
| Balls | A slang term for testicles. |
| Bisexual | A term to describes someone who is romantically and/or sexually attracted to people of more than one gender. |
| Birth Control | An umbrella term to describe all methods of contraception including condoms. |
| Blowjob | When someone performs oral sex on a penis. |
| Breasts | Organs made up of connective, fat, and breast tissue located on the chest. They produce milk to feed babies. |
C
| Cervix | Joins the lower part of the womb to the top of the vagina. |
| Chlamydia | It is a bacterial infection. It is one of the most common STIs and is particularly common among under-25s. |
| Circumcision | The surgical removal of the foreskin. |
| Cisgender | Someone whose gender identity is the same as the gender they were assigned at birth. |
| Clitoris | An organ full of sensitive nerve endings. The end of the clitoris is located under the clitoral hood at the top of the vagina and extends about 4cm internally. Its only purpose is pleasure and most people need clitoral stimulation to orgasm. |
| Condoms | They are worn on an erect penis and act as a barrier preventing sexual fluids passing from person to person during vaginal, anal or oral sex. This provide protection against pregnancy and STIs. |
| Consent | When a person gives their permission or freely agrees to something. Everyone must consent to having any sexual contact for it to be legal. Consent is also about respecting an individual’s boundaries and comfort levels with any form of sexual activity and physical intimacy. |
| Contraception | Prevents pregnancy. There are loads of different types of contraception. |
| Coil | A form of contraception. There are 2 types: IUD and IUS. |
| Crabs | A slang term for public lice. |
| C-section/ Caesarean | A surgical procedure where a baby is delivered through an incision in the abdomen. |
| Cum/ come | A slang term for semen. It also means to ejaculate or to orgasm. |
| Cunnilingus | This is when the vulva and vagina is stimulated using the mouth and tongue. |
D
| Demisexual | Someone who might only feel attraction once they have developed an emotional connection. |
| Dildo | A slang name for a sex toy that you can used for penetrative sex. |
| Discharge | Vaginal discharge is a clear or white fluid that comes out of the vagina and is completely normal. The discharge keeps the vagina clean. If there is a change in the colour or smell of the discharge, then this may be a sign of infection. Discharge can also be a sign of infection for people who have penises. |
E
| Egg | The reproductive cell in the ovaries. The egg is released every month, travels through the fallopian tubes and eventually to the uterus. |
| Ejaculate | When someone with a penis orgasms and semen comes out of the penis. Some people with a vagina also ejaculate fluid when they orgasm. |
| Emergency contraception | A type contraception you take after having sex to prevent pregnancy, if you had sex without using another method of contraception. |
| Erection | When the penis fill with blood and becomes ‘hard’ or erect to prepare itself for sex. This is sometimes known as a hard on. |
F
| Fallopian tubes | Connect the ovaries to the uterus. |
| Fingering | The act of touching or sexually stimulating someone’s clitoris and/or vagina with your fingers. |
| Foreplay | Often described as the sexual acts or behaviours prior to penetrative sex. Foreplay can mean a lot of different things and is better described as anything that helps build arousal (getting ‘turned on.’) It can include anything, including touching each other bodies, sexting, eye contact or kissing. |
| Foreskin | The skin that covers the head of the penis. |
G
| G-spot | An area of the vagina that is said to be more sensitive and can result in more pleasure. |
| Gay | A term most commonly used for men but is also used to describe someone who feels romantic/sexual attraction to someone of the same gender. |
| Gender | The socially ascribed characteristics associated with men and women. |
| Genital Herpes | A viral infection that causes painful blisters on the genitals. |
| Genital Warts | Small growths or bumps commonly found of the genital skin or anus. They are spread by skin to skin contact. |
| Glans | The highly sensitive nerves at the tip of the clitoris or penis. |
| Gonorrhoea | A bacterial infected that is spread through unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sex. |
H
| Handjob | When someone uses their hands to stimulate a penis. |
| Hard-on | A term used to describe an erect penis. |
| Hepatitis | A viral infection that can cause damage to the liver. There are various types of hepatitis, each with differences in terms of transmission and treatment. |
| Herpes | A virus that causes sores on your genitals and face. It is passed on through skin to skin contact. |
| Heterosexual | Someone who feels romantic/ sexual attraction to someone of the opposite gender. |
| HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) | A virus that infects the body’s white blood cells and stops the immune system, which fights infection, from functioning properly. |
| Horny | A slang term for when someone is sexually aroused or wanting to have sex. |
| Homophobia | Prejudice or discrimination towards people who are LGB. |
| Homosexual | Describes someone who is sexually and/or romantically attracted to someone of the same gender. |
| HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) | The name of a group of viruses. Some types can cause genital warts or cancer, but for most people they don’t cause any problems. |
| Hymen | A thin piece of tissue that surrounds the entrance to the vagina – it doesn’t cover the vagina. Everyone’s hymen is different and has nothing to do with virginity. Hymens stretch and don’t always break if something is inserted into the vagina. They can also tear or break from other activities too. Penetration shouldn’t be painful or cause a lot of bleeding. |
I
| Implant | Also known as ‘the rod.’ It is a form of contraception that is inserted under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. |
| Indecent images | A sexual image of someone under the age of 18. |
| Injection | Contraception in the form of an injection. There are different types and it usually last up to 13 weeks. It is a Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) method. |
| Internal condoms | Used to be called femidoms. They are condoms that are inserted into the vagina to protect against STIs and pregnancy. |
| Intersex | A person born with sex characteristics that do not fit within the binary characteristics of male and female. |
| IUD | Also known as the copper coil. It is a Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) method that is inserted into the uterus. It does not release hormones into the body. |
| IUS | It is a Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) method that is inserted into the uterus. |
J
| Johnny | A slang term for a condom. |
K
| Kissing | When two people put their mouths together. It can be sexual and non-sexual. |
L
| Labia Majora and Minora | The inner and outer fold of skin (or lips) on the vulva. |
| Lesbian | A term used to describe a women who is sexually and/or romantically attracted to other women. |
| LARC (Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive) | Contraceptive methods that can last for a long time, In some cases can last up to 10 years, but are not permanent. |
| Libido | Another word for sex drive |
| Licking out | A slang term used to describe when someone uses their mouth to stimulate the vulva and vagina. |
| Lubrication/ Lube | A liquid or gel that is used to prevent friction during sex. Lube can make any sexual act more pleasurable. There are lots of different types of lubes. Always check if the lube you are using is safe to use with condoms and toys. |
| Lust | When you have strong sexual desire for someone. |
M
| Masturbation | The term to describe sexually touching yourself for pleasure. |
| Menstruation | Also known as a period. When the uterus sheds its lining to help carry the egg out of the body. Periods are made up of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus. |
| Menopause | When menstruation stops due to lower hormones in the body. |
| Miscarriage | The loss of a pregnancy. |
| Monogamy | Someone who only has one sexual/romantic partner at a time. |
| Morning after pill | A type contraception you take after having sex to prevent pregnancy, if you had sex without using another method of contraception. |
N
| Nipples | The raised bits of skin surrounded by the areola in the centre of the breasts or chest. Stimulating nipples can be pleasurable for some people. |
| Non-binary | Someone whose gender identity does not fit into the binary categories of ‘man’ and ‘woman.’ |
| Non-monogamy | Also known as ethical non-monogamy. It is an umbrella term for when people have more than one romantic or sexual partner. These relationships can take many forms, but everyone is aware and agrees to it. |
| Nudes | A slang term to refer to a naked picture of someone. Often these are selfies. |
O
| Oral sex | When you use your mouth to stimulate genitals – including the vagina, the penis and the anus. Other terms for it might be: ‘giving head’, ‘going down on’, ‘licking out’, ‘sucking off’ or ‘giving a blow job’. |
| Orgasm | It happens when your body reaches peak pleasure. It’s not the be all and end all of having sex, and how you experience an orgasm can vary from one person to another. |
| Ovaries | Responsible for releasing eggs (ovum), which then travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. They also release hormones into the body. |
P
| Pansexual | Someone who is sexually and/or romantically attracted to someone regardless of their sex or gender identity. |
| Patch | A small stick-on patch that is placed on the body that prevents pregnancy by releasing a hormone into the body. |
| PEP | Stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is a treatment that can stop HIV infection after you have been exposed. |
| Periods | Also known as menstruation. It happens when the uterus sheds its lining to help carry the egg out of the body. Periods are made up of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus. |
| Penis | The external reproductive organs which is made up of the shaft, glans and foreskin (if the penis is uncircumcised). The penis contains the urethra, which carries semen and urine to the outside of the body. |
| Pill | The name for contraception taken in pill form. There are many different types of pill. |
| Polyamory | An umbrella term to describe people who have sexual and/or romantic relationships with more than one person. These relationships can take many forms, but everyone is aware and agrees to it. |
| Pornography/ Porn | The name for sexual images or videos that are intended to sexually arouse someone. |
| Pregnancy | This is when an egg that has been fertilised by sperm attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. This then grows into a baby. |
| PrEP | Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is a pill that can stop the person taking it from getting HIV. |
| Premature ejaculation | When someone with a penis ejaculates/cums (orgasm) before they want to. |
| Puberty | A period of both physical and mental change for someone who is growing up and reaching sexual maturity. |
| Pubic Lice | Also known as Crabs. They are very small, parasitic insects which live on the pubic hair. |
Q
| Queer | An umbrella term to describe someone who is not heterosexual or cisgender and is often used to refer to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. It is also often term used to as a way to reject norms or specific labels. Queer has been reclaimed but many still view it as a slur. |
| Questioning | When someone is questioning or exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity. |
R
| Rape | When someone forces their penis into the mouth, vagina or anus of another person who has not given, or is not capable of giving their consent. |
| Reproduction | The process of how babies are born. |
| Reproductive organs | Organs that are responsible for reproduction. |
| Rimming | When someone stimulates someone else’s anus with their mouth and tongue. |
| Romantic attraction | The desire to be intimate and have an emotional connection with someone. This doesn’t always include sexual attraction. |
S
| Sex | Any kind of sexual act that gives you sexual pleasure. |
| Sexting | Any kind of sexual messaging. It can be photos, videos or text. |
| Sexual assault | Any kind of unwanted and non-consensual sexual contact, as well as being forced to do a sexual act or to view or watch indecent images. |
| Sexual attraction | A desire to have sex with someone which doesn’t always include a romantic attraction. |
| Sexual intercourse | A term used to describe penetrative sex. |
| Scrotum | The skin that holds the testicles. |
| Shag | Another word for sexual intercourse. |
| Slut | A derogatory word to describe someone, most commonly used to describe women, who is perceived to have too much sex. |
| Smear test | Also known as a cervix screening. This is where a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix for testing. |
| Smegma | A thick, white, cheesy substance made up of dead skin cells, oil, and other fluids on the tip of the penis or in the folds of the vulva if not washed properly. |
| Sperm | The sex cells that are produced in the testes. |
| Squirting | When someone with a vagina ejaculates. |
| STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) | Infections that are passed on during sexual contact. |
| Straight | A commonly used word to describe someone who is heterosexual. |
| Syphilis | A bacterial STI. It is less common than other STIs, but new cases are on the increase. |
T
| Testing | A test to find out if you have an STI. What type of sex you had will determine what type of STI test you will need. They can involve taking urine or blood samples, taking a swab or a visual examination. |
| Testicles | The glands located in the scrotum that produce hormones and sperm. |
| Thrush | A common yeast infection. It is not an STI. |
| Trans man | A man who was assigned female at birth. |
| Trans woman | A women who was assigned male at birth. |
| Transphobia | Prejudice, hatred or discrimination towards someone who is transgender. |
| Transgender | Someone whose gender identity is different from the gender they were assigned at birth. |
| Transitioning | Refers to the steps that a trans person may take to live in the gender they identify as. Transition can be medical or social. Medical transition includes taking hormones or surgeries. Social transition includes coming out, changing your name and/or pronouns, changing the way you dress or present your physical appearance. Transitioning is an individual process and trans people chose which aspects of transition are right for them. |
U
| Urethral opening | The fancy name for your pee hole. On a penis it is located at the tip and on a vulva, between the clitoris and vagina. |
| Uterus | Also known as a womb. It is a hollow organ located in the pelvis. It is where a fertilised egg implants itself during pregnancy and where a foetus develops until its birth. Periods are also the shedding of the uterus lining. |
| U=U (Undetectable = untransmittable) | If someone is on effective treatment then their HIV becomes undetectable in the body. If it is undetectable then they cannot pass on HIV through sex to anyone else. |
V
| Vagina | The passage that connects the vulva to the uterus. |
| Vaginal sex | Penetration of the vagina with a penis, fingers or a sex toy. |
| Virginity | Someone who has never had sex. This can mean different things to different people. The concept of virginity is socially constructed and can be problematic as it promotes stereotypes and creates a double standard. |
| Vulva | The external parts of sex organs that include the clitoris, labia, vaginal opening and the urethral opening. |
W
| Wanking | Slang term for masturbate. |
| Wet dream | When a person orgasms or ejaculates while they are sleeping. It may or may not be caused by a sexual dream. |
| Womb | Another name for the uterus. |
X
| X-rated | A term that describes media that contains sexually explicit content. |
Y
| Yeast infection | This is not an STI. It can affect the genitals, and the mouth. Symptoms can include thick white discharge, itchiness and irritation, and burning and stinging when having sex or peeing. |