Glossary of Terms
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- Abstinence
- The voluntary decision not to engage in sexual relations of any kind. In some cases, the decision not to engage in penetrative sex. Reasons for abstinence include abstinence for pregnancy prevention (including periodic abstinence), for religious reasons, or because of concerns about STIs/HIV infection.
- AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
- An advanced stage of infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in which the immune system is weakened. The individual becomes more susceptible to a variety of infections (called opportunistic infections) and other conditions, such as cancer. A diagnosis of AIDS is made based on clinical criteria and/or the results of blood tests.
- Anal sex
- Sexual activity characterized by anal stimulation or penetration with the penis, finger, objects, lips, mouth, or tongue.
- Antibodies
- Molecules produced by the immune system to tag, destroy, or neutralize bacteria, viruses, and harmful toxins. Infection with HIV is usually identified with tests that measure the presence of HIV-specific antibodies.
- AZT
- The brand name for zidovudine (ZDV), a treatment for HIV infection.
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
- An RTI in women that is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. BV is not considered to be an STI.
- Bartholin’s glands
- Two small, round structures on either side of the vaginal opening that secrete a mucus-like fluid during sexual arousal, providing vaginal lubrication.
- Bisexual
- 1. Of, relating to, or having a sexual attraction to or desire for persons of both sexes.
- 2. A person who identifies himself or herself as having a sexual attraction toward both sexes.
- Candidiasis (infection with Candida albicans; also called yeast infection; formerly called moniliasis)
- A fungal infection that occurs when the normal environment in the vagina changes. Candidiasis is an RTI and is not sexually transmitted.
- CD4 cells
- (Also known as T cells.) A type of cell in the immune system that normally orchestrates the immune response by signaling other cells in the immune system to perform their special functions. HIV causes destruction of CD4 cells. This is the major cause of the immunodeficiency observed in AIDS.
- Cervical cancer
- Cancer of the cervix is caused by infection with certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). If precancerous changes are diagnosed early, cervical cancer can be prevented.
- Cervicitis
- Inflammation of the cervix, often caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea infection. Like vaginitis, cervicitis can cause vaginal discharge, although the infection is often asymptomatic.
- Cervix
- The lower part of the uterus that protrudes into the vaginal canal and allows passage of menstrual flow from the uterus and passage of sperm into the uterus.
- Chancroid
- A curable STI that affects both men and women, chancroid usually causes lymph node swelling and and painful ulcers in the genital area.
- Chlamydia
- A curable STI that affects both men and women, chlamydia is often asymptomatic. Chlamydia infection can lead to serious complications, including infertility.
- Circumcision
- The act of cutting off the prepuce, or foreskin, of males.
- Clinical management
- An approach to STI/RTI management. The clinical approach relies on the health care provider’s experiences (as opposed to laboratory testing) to provide the diagnosis of specific STIs during examination. Although shown to be inaccurate, this approach is often used in low-resource settings.
- Clitoris
- An erectile, hooded organ at the upper joining of the labia that contains a high concentration of nerve endings and is very sensitive to stimulation.
- Condom
- A flexible sheath (usually made of thin latex or polyurethane) designed to cover the penis (male condom) or vulva/vagina (female condom) during sexual intercourse for contraceptive purposes or as a means of preventing STIs.
- Cowper’s glands
- Two pea-sized glands at the base of the penis under the prostate that secrete a clear alkaline fluid (pre-ejaculate) into the urethra during sexual arousal and before orgasm and ejaculation.
- Cytomegalovirus
- A common virus (a member of the herpes family of viruses) that can cause serious infections in people with compromised immune systems. It can be transmitted sexually.
- Dental dam
- The square piece of latex that can be used to cover the vulva when performing oral sex in order to prevent contact with body fluids.
- Donovanosis
- An STI that can cause serious ulcers at the site of infection. These ulcers can grow together and cause permanent scarring and genital destruction.
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Ectopic pregnancy occurs outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. It is a potential complication of untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea.
- Ejaculation
- The moment when rhythmic contractions of the urethra cause semen to be discharged from the penis.
- Engorged
- Filled with blood.
- Epididymis
- Two tightly coiled tubes against the back of the testes where sperm mature and are stored until they are released during ejaculation.
- Erection
- The firm and enlarged condition of a body organ (e.g., penis, clitoris) when the erectile tissue surrounding it becomes filled with blood.
- Estrogen
- A sex hormone produced in the ovaries that stimulates the development of secondary female sex characteristics and has a role in puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and contraception.
- Etiologic management
- An approach to STI/RTI management in which diagnosis of specific STIs/RTIs is based on the results of lab tests. Though diagnosis through this approach is the most reliable and desirable, lab tests are often not available in low-resource settings.
- Fallopian tubes (oviducts)
- A pair of tubes at the top of the uterus that extend from the upper uterus, extending out toward the ovaries (but not touching them), through which ova (eggs) travel from the ovaries toward the uterus and in which fertilization of the ovum takes place.
- Female condom
- A soft, yet strong, polyurethane sheath with a plastic ring at a closed end to keep it fixed within the vagina during sexual intercourse and a larger ring at the opening that stays outside the vagina, spreading over a woman’s external genitalia (vulva). The female condom can be used for contraceptive purposes or as a means of preventing STIs/HIV. (See also Condom.)
- Foreskin
- A retractable tube of skin on the penis that covers and protects the glans.
- G-spot
- A small area (about 1 to 2 cm) on the front wall of the vagina that is especially sensitive to sexual stimulation in some women and may be the source of a small amount of fluid ejaculated at orgasm.
- Genital herpes
- An STI found in both men and women that can cause painful genital ulcers. There is no cure for genital herpes.
- Genital ulcers
- Crater-like lesions on the skin or mucous membranes of the genital region. Genital ulcers are usually caused by STIs, such as herpes, syphilis, and chancroid.
- Genital warts
- Warts brought on by infection with HPV (human papillomavirus).
- Gonorrhea
- A curable STI that affects both men and women. Gonorrhea can lead to serious complications, including infertility.
- Grafenberg spot
- See G-spot.
- Hepatitis B
- A viral infection that can be transmitted sexually but can also be spread through exposure to infected blood or body fluids. It can lead to severe liver diseases and liver failure.
- Hepatitis C
- A viral infection that can be transmitted sexually but can also be spread through exposure to infected blood or body fluids. It can lead to severe liver diseases and liver failure.
- Homosexual
- 1. Of, relating to, or having a sexual attraction to or desire for persons of the same sex.
- 2. A person who identifies himself or herself as gay or lesbian.
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
- A type of sexually transmitted retrovirus that can also be transmitted through exposure to infected blood or body fluids. HIV infection causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- A viral STI. Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer.
- Hymen
- A fold of thin, fleshy tissue that stretches across part of the opening of the vagina in some women.
- Immune system
- The body’s natural system of defense against foreign agents, such as bacteria and viruses.
- Infertility
- The inability of an individual to achieve a pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse; the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
- A form of family planning that is inserted into the uterus. IUDs provide no protection against STI/HIV transmission.
- KAB
- Knowledge-attitude-behavior.
- KAP
- Knowledge-attitude-practice.
- Labia majora
- Two spongy folds of skin (one on either side of the vaginal opening) that cover and protect the genital structures.
- Labia minora
- Two erectile folds of skin between the labia majora that extend from the clitoris on each side of the urethral and vaginal openings, covering the vestibule.
- Lubrication
- Moistening of the vaginal walls; the key indicator of sexual excitement in women.
- Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
- An STI that causes inflammation of and prevents drainage of the lymph nodes in the genital area. LGV can cause destruction and scarring of surrounding tissue.
- Male condom
- A flexible sheath (usually made of thin latex, but sometimes made of polyurethane or lamb intestine) designed to cover the penis during anal, vaginal, or oral sexual intercourse for contraceptive purposes or as a means of preventing STIs/HIV. (See also Condom.)
- Masturbation
- A means of sexual self-pleasuring that involves stimulation of one’s own genitals using hands or objects.
- Menopause
- The end of a woman’s menstruation and menstrual cycles.
- Menstruation
- Cyclic flow of blood, fluid, and tissue out of the uterus and through the vagina approximately every 28 days (usually lasting 3 to 5 days).
- Microbicides
- A generic term for agents that can block, kill, or immobilize pathogens. Products are currently under development that could be used vaginally or rectally to block infection with HIV and other STIs.
- Molluscum contagiosum
- An STI that causes relatively benign skin infections. Molluscum contagiosum can lead to secondary bacterial infections.
- Mons pubis
- In women, a pad of fatty tissue over the pubic bone that protects the internal sexual and reproductive organs.
- Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)
- The transmission of infection, typically HIV, from the mother to the child during pregnancy, labor, or delivery or through breastfeeding.
- Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU)
- An infection of the urethra caused by microorganisms other than gonorrhea. It is often caused by chlamydia.
- Opportunistic infections
- Illnesses caused by organisms that usually do not cause disease in a person with a normal immune system. Opportunistic infections are known as such because they take advantage of a weakened immune system to cause illness. Those common in persons diagnosed with AIDS include pneumocystis pneumonia, chronic cryptosporidia diarrhea, histoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus eye infection.
- Oral-anal sex
- Oral stimulation of the anus or rectum.
- Oral-genital sex
- Oral stimulation of the genitals. Cunnilingus is the stimulation of the vulva with the tongue; fellatio is the stimulation of the penis with the mouth.
- Orgasm
- The fourth stage of the sexual response cycle, characterized by the peak of sexual tension, resulting in release of tension through muscular contractions of the uterus, vagina, anus, and pelvic floor in women and contractions of the urethra, anus, and pelvic floor in men. Orgasm in men can trigger contractions of the ejaculatory duct and prostate gland, causing semen to be ejected from the body through the penis.
- Ovaries
- Organs located at the end of each fallopian tube that produce the ova (eggs) released during the menstrual cycle. The ovaries produce sex hormones responsible for the development of secondary female sex characteristics and sexual function.
- Pap smear (Papanicolaou smear)
- A test used to diagnose precancerous changes of the cervix.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- A condition most often brought on by untreated STIs (usually chlamydia or gonorrhea). Symptoms of PID can range from slight cramping to chronic pelvic pain, but it can also be asymptomatic. PID can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
- Penis
- In men, a tubular structure with the capacity to be flaccid or erect, providing passage for both urine and semen.
- Perineum
- A network of muscles located between and surrounding the vagina and anus in women and the penis and anus in men.
- PID
- See Pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Postmenopausal
- The one- to two-year period after menopause.
- Progesterone
- A sex hormone produced in the ovaries that has a role in menstruation, pregnancy, and contraception.
- Prostate gland
- A walnut-sized gland that secretes approximately 30% of the fluid that makes up semen.
- Reiter’s syndrome
- A complication of chlamydia. Reiter’s syndrome consists of recurrent episodes of urethritis/cervicitis, arthritis, conjunctivitis, and skin rashes.
- Reproductive tract infections (RTIs)
- Infectious diseases of the genitourinary tract that include STIs or other common infections of the genital tract.
- Retrovirus
- A type of virus that stores its genetic information on a single-stranded RNA molecule. After a retrovirus penetrates a cell, it creates a DNA version of its genes, which then becomes part of the infected person’s cells. HIV is an example of a retrovirus.
- Reverse transcriptase
- A special enzyme used by a retrovirus to construct a DNA version of its genes.
- RNA
- A nucleic acid, found mostly in the cytoplasm of cells, that is important in the synthesis of proteins. Some viruses, such as HIV, carry RNA instead of the more common genetic material DNA.
- Safer sex
- A term often referring to sexual activity that lowers the risk for HIV transmission. A broader definition might include relations that lower the risk for disease, unintended pregnancy, violence, coercion, or abuse of power.
- Scrotum
- A pouch hanging directly under the penis that contains the testes and functions to protect the testes and to maintain the temperature necessary for the production of sperm by the testes.
- Seminal vesicles
- The pair of glandular sacs that secrete approximately 60% of the fluid that makes up semen, in which sperm are transported.
- Sex
- 1. The biological characteristics—anatomical, physiological,
and genetic—that define one as a female or as a male.
2. The sexual urge or instinct as it manifests itself in behavior. - 3. The act of sexual intercourse.
- Sexual anatomy
- The structure and organs that make up the genital tract of women and men.
- Sexual behaviors
- Actions (touching, kissing, and other stimulation of the body) related to the expression of one’s sexuality.
- Sexual health
- Women and men’s ability to enjoy and express their sexuality free from the risk of STIs, unintended pregnancy, coercion, violence, and discrimination. The ability to have an informed, enjoyable, and safer sex life, based on mutual respect and a positive approach to sexual expression.
- Sexual intercourse
- Sexual activity that involves penetration of the vagina or anus.
- Sexuality
- Sexuality involves giving and receiving sexual pleasure, as well as enabling reproduction. Sexuality is a total sensory experience, involving the whole mind and body—not just the genitals. A reflection of the total expression of who we are as human beings, sexuality is shaped by our values, attitudes, behaviors, physical appearance, beliefs, emotions, personality, likes and dislikes, and spiritual selves, as well as all the ways in which we have been socialized.
- Sexual practices
- Activities related to sexual expression that are performed habitually or repeatedly.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STI)
- Infections passed from person to person by sexual contact, although some can be passed on by other means (e.g., through needle-stick injury or other blood exposure). Also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- Skene’s glands
- Two small glands near the urethral opening in women.
- Syndromic management
- An approach to STI/RTI management in which diagnosis is based on the identification of syndromes (combinations of the symptoms the client reports and the signs the health care provider observes).
- Syphilis
- A curable STI that affects both men and women. It initially causes sores on the vagina, penis, anus, mouth, or lips. These sores will heal by themselves, but untreated syphilis can lead to advanced stages that can damage the heart and nervous system and can lead to death.
- Testes
- Paired organs in the scrotum that produce sperm and male sex hormones.
- Testosterone
- A sex hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics and for the sex drive (libido) in men and in women.
- Trichomonas infection
- A curable STI that affects both men and women. Trichomonas infection often can be asymptomatic. Among women, it can lead to vaginal discharge, infertility, or early labor in pregnant women.
- Urethritis
- An infection among men characterized by urethral discharge or pain upon urination. It is usually caused by STIs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas infection.
- Uterus
- A hollow, thick-walled, pear-shaped, muscular organ located between the bladder and rectum. It is the site for implantation of the fertilized ovum (egg), the location where the fetus develops during pregnancy, and the structure that sheds its lining monthly during menstruation.
- Vagina
- A muscular, highly expandable, tubular cavity leading from the vestibule to the uterus.
- Vaginal discharge
- A symptom of some STIs and RTIs.
- Vaginal intercourse (coitus)
- Inserting the penis into the vagina.
- Vaginitis
- Inflammation of the vagina characterized by discharge, odor, irritation, and/or itching that can be caused by an infection resulting from a change in the normal environment of the vagina. Some vaginal infections are transmitted sexually.
- Vas deferens (pl. vasa deferentia)
- In men, one of the paired tubes that carries the mature sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
- Venereal disease (VD)
- Term used to describe STIs (particularly syphilis) until the 1970s. The term is derived from the name of the Roman goddess of love, Venus, and the Latin word for desire.
- Vestibule
- The area of the external female genitalia that includes the vaginal and urethral opening and the opening of the Bartholin’s and Skene’s glands.
- VIA (visual examination with acetic acid)
- An alternative to the Pap smear, VIA is used to screen for precancerous changes of the cervix. VIA may be useful in many low-resource settings; however, it often leads to false-positive results and is still under study.
- Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT)
- The combination of counseling and testing as both a preventive service and a diagnostic tool for HIV infection.
- Vulva
- The external genital organs of the female, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vestibule of the vagina.
- Yeast infection (candidiasis, moniliasis)
- A fungal infection that occurs when the normal environment in the vagina changes. Yeast infection is an RTI and is not sexually transmitted.
- ZDV (zidovudine)
- A treatment for HIV infection, often known by the brand name AZT.
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